What is the best material for stair treads?

Know your options before selecting the perfect stair tread for your project.

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Whether you're building a new home or renovating an existing one, designing a staircase to fit your design style and lifestyle is an important consideration. Once you have decided on a type of stairs it is time to decide what type of stair tread to choose. There are plenty of tread styles and materials to choose from to complement your home's design. Whether your home is modern, contemporary, rustic or traditional there is a style to fit your requirements.

At Keuka Studios, we design our staircases to accommodate your preferred style of stair treads.

What types of stair treads are there?

Various Types of materials are available and include ' Wood, Glass, Tile, Composite, Stone, and Steel.

1. Wood Treads

With wood, it is important to consider if your project is for the interior or exterior of your home.  Many wood species do not hold up well in the outdoor weather elements so choosing an appropriate type of wood should be carefully considered. In addition, it is important to consider the wood grain, how it is sawn, and the construction of the stair tread.

For interior staircases, there are a variety of woods available to choose from for your project that will add different aesthetics to your decor. Some of the more popular varieties are Red Oak, White Oak, Hard Maple, Walnut, and Distressed Woods.

Red Oak is readily available has a reddish-brown appearance and is considered hard and heavy with medium bending strength. It adds a sense of warmth to the decor.

White Oak is slightly lighter in color than red oak and is a heavy hardwood with medium bending strength.  White Oak has become very popular in modern design as it tends to have a straighter more linear grain than red oak. Using white oak lightens up a room. It is not recommended for aesthetic outdoor tread applications as it turns black quickly with weather (although it does resist rot quite well). 

White Oak stair treads crafted using a lock-mitered box-style construction to discreetly conceal the steel support structure for the cantilevered staircase project. As an alternate style of stair tread construction that can be used depending on the application.

Hard Maple is a creamy white with a slight reddish-brown tinge and is generally straight-grained it has a high resistance to abrasion and wear making it a good solid choice for stairs and landings.

Walnut is a tough hardwood, the sapwood is creamy white, while the heartwood is light to dark brown. The dark wood is typically the most sought after so expect to pay more as much of the sapwood will be unusable.

Distressed Wood is often just reclaimed lumber from an old barn or factory where years of heavy use have added some character to the wood. Alternatively, it could be newer wood that has been mechanically stressed and finished to give that distressed look. Either way, it can add a textured, rustic appeal. This can be desirable in a high-traffic area as any additional wear over time will just add to the character of the wood.

Brazillian Cherry is a very strong hardwood that is considerably harder than most woods. It is a mostly straight-grained hardwood with rich color and reddish undertones that add warmth and elegance to any room. With time and exposure to light, the wood may darken. It is not recommended for damp or high-humidity environments due to the natural ability of the wood to store water.

In addition, it is popular to whitewash or bleach wood to give it an antique distressed look while lightening the surface of the wood. Sometimes pigment is added prior to the finish coat allowing the natural grain to pop more.

Antiqued knotty pine was selected for the treads on this staircase to complement the wide-aged pine board flooring on this Nantucket home. Pine is a softer wood that will more easily wear over time than hardwoods.

For exterior staircases, ironwoods are recommended such as Ipe or Cumaru. Additionally, although much softer redwood and cedar are good options since they stand up better than other species to the elements. To maintain the natural beauty of these woods they require regular oiling and care, or they can be left exposed to the elements to age to a grayish appearance.

Keuka Studios can provide stair treads and landings in your wood of choice, to be finished on-site by your contractor.

2. Glass Treads

Choosing glass stair treads with a steel floating stair stringer system will create a stunning architectural element in your home. There are dozens of varieties of colors, patterns,  textures, and finishes available in glass. One important consideration is to choose a tread that has a non-slip surface. In addition, would you prefer LED lighting for the treads? The combination of glass tread combined with LED lighting can add a dramatic effect to the overall aesthetic of the staircase. At Keuka Studios we have the capability to create steel stair stringers to accommodate glass treads and hide the LED lighting wires. 

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3. Tile Treads

Tile stair treads can be a beautiful and durable alternative to wood. They have the advantage of not needing oiling or ongoing maintenance since they won't decay or attract insects. Many of today's tiles simulate the look of wood. We can design and fabricate steel stair tread pans to accommodate the selected style of tile tread or pavers.

4. Composite Treads

Composite materials resist fading, scratching, and mold, they don't rot, crack, or splinter. They are durable and require minimal maintenance. For this project below to accommodate composite decking on floating stairs, we designed a steel support system for the treads, and the railing posts connect to the steel stringer below the steps.

5. Stone Treads

Bluestone is the most common stone tread currently trending for outdoor stair applications. Bluestone treads have a grayish-blue color and are typically 2 inches thick. They add durability and beauty to any outdoor staircase with minimal maintenance required. In addition, they blend naturally with the adjacent landscape. 

Limestone can be used for treads on interior and exterior stair projects. It is a natural stone that can be easily shaped and cut to any size. Limestone is highly durable and is widely available. It is available in a variety of color variants ranging from honey creams to grays. Limestone can be polished to the desired finish. It is important to seal limestone to prevent staining.

Travertine Stone on the interior floating stairs of this home adds a dramatic and beautiful elegance to the decor. Travertine is durable and has a natural non-slip textured surface, making it an excellent choice for stair treads. Since Travertine is more porous than many other stones it is important to seal it to resist staining. Paired with a glass railing, brass handrails, clamps, and kick plates result in an exquisite staircase.

Brownstone Steps are featured on this curved exterior staircase, leading from the beach to the rooftop deck. The stair system was specifically designed and engineered to support the added weight of the stone treads. Brownstone, a type of sandstone, is appreciated for its ease of workability and ability to be shaped. Maintaining brownstone typically involves cleaning and applying breathable water-repellent coatings to preserve its appearance. Its warm aesthetic adds to the overall appeal.

6. Steel Treads

Metal stair treads are strong and offer rustic industrial styling. Steel treads pair beautifully with open-beam architecture and are often preferred on spiral staircases. With metal treads, providing some sort of slip protection is important. This could be in the form of a diamond plate surface, metal grating or a series of hole patterns in the treads.

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How to Choose Wood for Stair TreadsCustom Stair DesignsFloating Stairs Ideas

At Keuka Studios, we custom-fabricate stairs and railings to fit your style and space. We make our stair stringers to accommodate the type of treads you choose. We can provide you with wood, glass, and steel treads for our staircases. All you have to do is choose your style.

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Deciding on the best wood for stair treads

When designing wood stair treads for your home, you'll have a great variety of options. The best wood for stair treads is a matter of personal preference ' any hardwood or pine species can serve your purposes. The choice comes down to the type of grain and hues you like most, and whether you want your stair treads to match or complement your hardwood floors.

When matching your stairway to existing floors, the best wood for stair treads is obviously the wood you've selected for your hardwood floors. Matching the treads to your floors will create a visual cohesion and a greater sense of flow throughout your space. If you prefer to have your stair treads complement your floors, you can choose a different species of wood or decide to stain your treads to a complementary hue. Either approach will bring more visual focus to your stairway.

At Carlisle Wide Plank Floors, our design consultants can answer all your questions and offer expert advice about choosing the best wood for stair treads in your home. We'll explain the benefits of Red Oak vs. Maple and the difference in density in Hickory vs. Walnut. We can help you decide on a texture treatment for your White Oak stair treads or explore finish possibilities for your Black Walnut stair treads. Ultimately, our goal is to assist you in choosing the best wood for stair treads that will be a reflection of your sense of style and beauty, and to create a surface that will delight and amaze you every time you return home.

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