Choosing the right wood for use in stairs is one of the most important decision factors in installing indoor or outdoor railing and stairs. But What type of Wood is best for railing and stairs?
What type of Wood is best for railing and stairs?
Choosing Wood for any construction work is a delicate endeavor. Unless you have dozens of years of experience with wood cutting or construction, telling which Wood is perfect for which project is not as simple. There are factors like pricing, location, wood density, and tone to consider before making a final decision.
But what is the best wood for railing & stairs installation?
Depending on your situation, a specific wood type might be ideal, or bad for your staircase in the long run. In our case, we are going to be talking about stairs, and talking about what wood types would be perfect for various situations.
Types of wood in railing & stairs projects
We can’t very well recommend you shortlist every construction wood type available on the market. To narrow down the search a bit, we chose the most popular and top-rated hardwoods on the market.
- Red oak
- White Oak
- Yellow Pine
- Ash
- Mahogany
- Yellow Pine
- Brazilian Cherry
- Cypress
- Hard maple
- American Cherry
What is the perfect Wood for you?
The perfect wood choice for your stairs will vary depending on where you live, and what wood tone you prefer, and the pricing.
Is your stairs indoors or outdoors?
Rot-resistant hardwoods are typically recommended for homeowners who have outdoor stairs. Indoor staircases don’t have to constantly deal with the weather. Regardless of whatever finish you settle on for your staircase, if the Wood itself cannot handle the onslaught of the element, it will eventually fail. Great wood choices for outdoor staircases are Red oak, yellow pine and Ash wood. The other hardwoods are not as dense or rot-resistant.
However, if the staircase is inside, and you don’t mind spending a little extra, you can spring for Mahogany, Brazilian or American Cherry. They have very lovely tones and wonderful textures.
Longevity or density
Longevity is the most important factor to consider when choosing a wood type. The more dense and durable a wood type is, the longer it will last you. If you are in the market for great dense Wood, then consider yellow pine, white oak, Ashwood, or hard maple wood. Brazilian cherry and mahogany are also great, but they are not the most cost-effective options.
Tone and Texture
If you are aesthetics and not just functionality, then you’re probably thinking of which wood type would make your stairs pop the most. Mahogany, Brazilian Cherry, American cherry, and Red oak are your best bets. They feature colorful tones, with beautiful patterns, and age well.
Pricing
For most people, it all boils down to pricing. More exotic and colorful Wood like Mahogany and Brazilian Cherry wood are naturally more expensive than plain yellow pine and ash wood. There are a few outliers like American Cherry, red oak, white oak which offer a bit of color for a reasonable price. Check the pricing of each wood type before deciding on which suits you best.
If you are still undecided after reading through this post, then consider consulting someone who is more experienced with woodwork. There is no perfect wood for all homes or staircases. Taste and pricing will always influence the final decision, and you should factor this in before you choose a specific wood type.
Feel free to contact us to get best recommendation for installing most suitable wood in your stairs. Darvish Inc support all calls and orders from Toronto and GTA. We do glass and wood railing & stairs projects. You can contact us in different ways:
Phone: 647-694-8133
Email : Info@darvishinc.ca
