Hardwood flooring
Hardwood Stairs, Treads and Nosings
Treads, risers and nosings that match the floor around them.
Stairs take more wear than almost any other part of a floor, and every step is a slightly different size. We measure each tread on its own and cut it to fit, rather than assuming the stairs are all the same.
Wood stairs are usually planned together with the floors they connect, so species, color and finish match from the landing to the treads.
Treads, risers and nosings
The tread is the part you step on; the riser is the upright face between steps; the nosing is the rounded front edge of the tread or landing. On a wood stair all three should line up with the floor at the top and bottom so the change from floor to stair looks intentional.
Where stairs meet a wood floor at a landing, we fit a matching nosing so the edge is finished and the boards line up.
Straight, curved and open stairs
Straight stairs are measured step by step. Curved and winder stairs have tapered treads, each one cut from a template of its own step. On open stairs with metal or cable railings, the tread ends show, so they are finished as carefully as the top surface.
Painted risers with wood treads are a common choice; so are wood risers stained to match.
Squeaks, safety and wear
A squeaking stair usually means a tread moving against its riser or stringer. When we fit new treads we glue and fasten them so they sit tight, and on existing stairs we fix loose treads from above or below before refinishing.
Stairs see the most wear in the house, so we use the same durable finish as the floor, applied in thin coats, and make sure each nosing edge is smooth and even.
Licensed and bonded — CSLB #625535
How we run the job
- 01Measure every tread and riser individually.
- 02Choose species and finish to match the floors.
- 03Cut and fit treads, risers and nosings.
- 04Sand and finish on site, or fit pre-finished parts.
- 05Check every step for squeaks and movement before handover.
Our work
Stairs, Treads & Nosings: job photos
Questions
Frequently asked questions
- Can you put wood treads on stairs that are now carpeted?
- Usually, yes. We remove the carpet, check the structure underneath and either cap the existing steps or replace the treads.
- Can new stairs match my existing floor?
- Yes. We match species and stain with samples so the stairs and floor read as one.
- How is stair work priced?
- Describe the job with "Get your estimate". You get a ballpark from our own price list before the site visit, then a written estimate once we have measured and seen the floor.