Are you trying to find which wood to use for stairs? It can be a daunting task to wade your way through the best wood options available for wood stairs since there are literally dozens of types of woods that can be used for home construction projects. However, depending on where you live, what kind of stain you plan to use, your budget and other factors, some types of wood might be a better option than others. Keep reading to learn more about which wood you might want to use for the construction of your wood stairs project.

Popular types of wood for stairs:

Pine trees are one of the most popular varieties of trees in the world because it encompasses several different species of tree. Yellow pine is incredibly dense. This is why it is durable and can grow in many different types of climates. Because of this, yellow pine is harvested often to be used as a popular type of lumber for various projects including building homes, making furniture and more.
Because Yellow pine is harder in density than other types of wood, it is a great option for wood flooring as well as wood stairs projects. In addition to it being a good choice for wood projects because of its overall functionality, it is also one of the most affordable and economic choices.

The Yellow Pine tree’s density makes it reliable for wood projects and lends it an ability to withstand harsh climates, temperatures, woodworking tools, cutting, staining, glue and more, according to the Wood Database online. Woodworkers often prefer Yellow Pine to White Pine and other softer woods. This preference is related to the overall workability of the wood, not to mention its rot resistance and density. Yellow pine can be a great option for both indoor and outdoor wood stairs projects.

Another popular type of wood to use for all kinds of wood stairs project is the lumber from the White Oak tree. It’s popular for many reasons including its unique and beautiful coloring. It is a light to medium brown and has an olive tone to the lumber once it is chopped. Like the pine, it is very rot resistant, which makes it a durable option for wood building projects.

White oak is used for wood floors, stairs and even boat building. Another great reason to use White Oak is that it works well with hand and machine tools. Not all woods have enough give and bend to work well with tools. The wood can get caught and snagged easily. White Oak is versatile and provides woodworkers with a great base for wood projects like building stair treads, rails and newel posts.

Unlike the pine options, White Oak can be a bit on the pricier side, but its many positives make it worth the slightly higher price tag.

Wood for stairs by region:

If you are planning an outdoor wood stairs building project, it is important to use a rot-resistant wood because of the likely exposure to heat and moisture. Some types of wood that feature strong resistance to rot among other characteristics that make it ideal for outdoor wood projects include:

• Cedar
• Douglas Fir
• Pine
• Teak
• Black Locust

Which types of woods stain the best for wood stairs?

Some types of wood like mahogany are already so dark in color that the wood does not take as well to stain. Plus, a mahogany finish is already so beautiful, staining it might only detract from that natural beauty unless it is done with a clear finish. However, there are a few types of woods that are ideal to use if you are looking to stain your wood stairs with a specific color or shade. Those types of wood include:

• Pine
• Birch
• Poplar
• Cedar
• White Oak
• Red Oak

There are many different options available when choosing a wood for your wood stair parts. The best way to choose which wood to use for stairs is to consider price point, versatility, durability, rot resilience and to consider what kind of climate you live in, especially if you are building outdoor stairs.

Picture Sources:

greenvirals.com