Why are stairs so crucial for any building? Whenever we need access to a structure’s top or bottom floors, we require some vertical transportation. Stairs are one of the most popular methods of vertical travel used to access higher or lower levels in an apartment.
Why wooden stairs? Wooden stairs are the traditional kind of stairs that people use in their homes. Wooden stairs are not only beautiful but also very sturdy and long-lasting. They can add value to your apartment and last for many years with proper care. They also make your apartment look classy and elegant. With so many different styles and colors available, you’re sure to find the perfect set of wooden stairs for your apartment. You can choose from various woods such as oak, maple, or cherry, each with its unique color and grain pattern.
When choosing the right type of wood for your staircase, there are many factors to consider, such as mechanical strength, beauty, etc. Each type of wood has its unique set of benefits and drawbacks, so it’s essential to choose the one that best suits your needs. Here is a brief overview of the most common types of wood used for staircases, along with their pros and cons.
Types of wood used for staircase
The type of wood is mainly selected by keeping in mind the availability of wood means which kind of wood is commonly available in your area. Some common factors which are kept in mind before selecting a wood are:
- Mechanical strength
- Stability
- Aesthetic value
- Finishing quality
Different wood species utilized in timber stair construction, as well as the components of wooden stairs, are listed below based on the criteria mentioned above:
1. Red oak
Several species of oak and other hardwoods from around the world may be used for stairs, but red oak is the most common. The heartwood of red oak is a light to medium brown, generally with a reddish tint, and is considered robust and hefty with medium bending strength. It gives the room a feeling of warmth. It is simple to stain, sand, and finish. Red Oak trees are most prevalent in the United States, Asia, Europe, and North Africa.
2. White oak
It is a robust, elastic, and hardwood with a beautiful texture. Ash wood has a pale yellow or pinkish hue and a light brown core. White ash has a lighter shade and broader growth rings, as the name implies. On the other hand, black ash is somewhat darker in color with more stringent development rings.
The grain has a straight and closed pattern, so it looks good if you want your staircase to have a sharp appearance. It stains or finishes quickly, without requiring much effort, and it’s straightforward to work with either by hand or machine. If you can’t afford oak stairs but still want the hardness of the wood, ash is an excellent compromise.
4. Maple
Solid maple is a creamy white with a somewhat reddish-brown tint and a straight grain that makes it resistant to abrasion and wear. The strength of maple is slightly more significant than the oak wood. It has a high resistance to abrasion and wears, making it an ideal solid choice for steps and landings.
5. African Mahogany Wood
Stair components constructed of African mahogany are among the most expensive woods available. African mahogany’s lightweight and simple turnability make it ideal for shaping wood.
Color ranges from pale pink to a deeper reddish brown, with medium to dark reddish brown streaks. The bark ages and fades in color. A ribbon-stripe pattern is visible on quarter-cut surfaces. Grain is smooth, interlocked, and medium to coarse in texture. Natural luster and a high degree of chatoyancy are present.
6. Walnut
It is a block of solid and hard wood with a clear finish. The color of the wood varies from a pale brown to a dark brown, with darker brown streaks. The hue can have a grey, green, or reddish tinge. Sapwood is typically whitish yellow-grey to nearly white. Curl, crotch, and burl are some examples of figured grain patterns. It is quite resistant to moisture. The durability of walnut wood and its resistance to decay are excellent.
7. Teak wood staircase
Teakwood is a highly valued hardwood utilized in constructing staircases and its other components. It tends to be golden or medium brown, with color darkening with age. The grain is flat, although it may occasionally be wavy or interlacing. Texture and luster are both coarse, uneven, and modest. Natural oils cause raw, unfinished wood surfaces to feel somewhat greasy or oily.
Teak is a hardwood that has been praised for its decay resistance, and its heartwood has been classified as highly durable. Teak is also resistant to termites, although it is only slightly resistant to marine borers and powder post beetles.
8. Hemlock
Hemlock is a softwood with a lovely warm, pinkish hue. The grain is generally straight, but it occasionally has interlocking or spiraling for added character instances. It may also have dark streaks caused by bark maggots. It’s also simple to work with, though it might splinter if you don’t take care of it. However, it adheres well, stains easily, and polishes nicely.
9. Pine
Pine is one of the most popular woods used in furniture and domestic fittings due to its beautiful golden yellow color, which varies from whitish with brown knots to a brilliant golden yellow color or whitish with brown knots. It’s also nice to treat, paint, or varnish because it’s more porous, so the grain can quickly absorb various finishes.
Pine is an excellent choice for sustainability because it’s a conifer species that can be harvested rapidly. Pine is a knotty wood with a pleasing rustic appearance and is well suited to farmhouse styles. It’s lightweight and inexpensive lumber but prone to dents and scratches because it’s softwood.
10. Brazilian cherry
Cherry is a hard and durable wood, far harder than most woods. It has a primarily straight-grained texture with vivid color and crimson undertones, adding warmth and elegance to any space. The wood may darken over time due to exposure to light or dampness. Due to its natural propensity to hold water, it is unsuitable for damp or high humidity settings.
11. Sapele
The wood has a distinctive wavy grain that makes it particularly appealing. It comes in beautiful golden to dark red-brown for people who prefer their fittings to be a darker color. For a sharp finish, it has a straight, uniform ribboned grain. Sapele is a highly hardy wood that looks best hand-worked for maximum impact. It readily turns, clamps, and Finishes nicely.
12. Hickory Wood
The color is a light-medium brown with a reddish hue. According to certain experts, this wood is non-durable and perishable regarding heartwood decay. It’s also highly vulnerable to insect damage.
Valet Works specializes in the installation of custom staircases utilizing a variety of different types of wood. Our team is experienced in working with hard and soft woods and can help you choose the perfect kind of wood for your specific needs. We offer a wide range of colors and finishes to choose from, so you can be sure that your new staircase will perfectly match the existing décor in your apartment.