Choosing the right wood for your staircase
Deciding which wood to choose for your standout staircase is one of the most important decisions in the design process. With so many different choices available, we take the hassle out of the decision.
Choosing between hardwood and softwood
Before looking in more detail at the types of wood available, it’s important to understand the difference between hardwood and softwood. It’s important to recognise that the names do not reflect the strength of the wood - hardwood isn’t always necessarily harder than softwood, it refers to how the trees reproduce.
Hardwood comes from trees that shed their leaves in winter, and which produce seeds in a closed covering, such as inside a shell or a fruit. A common example is the oak tree, which produces seeds inside acorns. As an option for stair parts, hardwood is popular for due to its strength, durability, eye-catching appearance and low maintenance.
Softwood comes from trees which have leaves all year round, and on which seeds are not produced in a closed cover, but instead fall to the ground or are swept away by the wind. A common example is the pine tree which releases its seeds from pine cones. As an option for stair parts, softwood is an affordable alternative to hardwood, ideal for staining and painting, and a more environmentally friendly option.
Popular choices of wood
Below we take a look at some of the most popular choices, all available through our website:
Ash stair parts
Ash is a pale, straight grained hardwood that delivers a modern look for staircases. It is mainly a light brown in colour so stains and polishes well so will stand the test of time and brighten up your home. It can also work well in combination with other furnishings, like kitchen worktops if nearby.
Dark hardwood stair parts
Similar to mahogany, this durable wood is almost reddish in colour. It provides an air of elegance when varnished well and will be longer-lasting than many lighter woods as it absorbs light.
View our dark hardwood stair parts
Hemlock stair parts
This multi-purpose softwood is actually stronger than many hardwoods making it a popular choice for many different construction projects. It will stain easily so you can make it fit in to your wider furnishings – ideal if you want to paint your staircase a different colour.
Pine stair parts
Pine is a lightweight creamy-white, almost yellow, wood with an often-knotty appearance. It can easily be stained, varnished or painted. A lower priced alternative to hardwood, it matches up well to other woods so can blend in with other pieces of furniture around your home.
Walnut stair parts
This rich and luxurious-looking wood is known for its strength and flowing grains. Like most of our woods, walnut can be very versatile, offering a range of shades and grains to suit your home.
Oak stair parts
Pale brown in appearance, oak is highly-adaptable and an excellent material for staircases – making even simple projects look sleek. Its fine grain makes it almost water tight while its often-distinctive swirly patterns can mesmerise.
