Stair Tread Options

CONCORD — When replacing your staircase’s wood steps (also known as stair treads), you have a couple of options. The first is to use pieces of solid wood. The biggest advantage of this option is these are strong, sturdy pieces of wood, so you won’t have to worry about them failing. Additionally, solid wood doesn’t have any seams and can be finished to any color, which is great if you’re trying to match existing wood elements of your home.

The other option is to create steps out of pieces of hardwood flooring; this is a good option if you want your stair treads to match your hardwood floors. However, while all wood flooring is referred to as “hardwood,” some aren’t very hard, such as poplar and alder. If you use a “soft” hardwood like this, your steps will be more susceptible to damage (such as dents and scratches) and premature failure. A better choice is to use a sturdy hardwood product like oak or maple, which will provide the hardness needed to withstand lots of foot traffic.

If you’re planning to go with this second option, consider using a prefinished hardwood flooring product. Today’s prefinished flooring goes through a curing process that makes it supremely resistant to surface damage. Additionally, since prefinished flooring is moisture-resistant, it doesn’t expand and contract like solid hardwood, which decreases the risk of your steps developing creaks.