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Stair Treads & Risers
Stair risers are the vertical boards between each tread. Choose raw MDF or poplar to paint, or red oak, white oak and 9 more hardwoods to stain and match your treads. All risers are 3/4″ thick and 3 to 6 ft long, so you can cut them to fit on site.
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A stair riser is the vertical board that closes in the front of each step, between one tread and the next. Most people pick the riser after the tread. The big decision is whether you're going to paint it or stain it, because that decides the material.
MDF is our best-selling riser. It's smooth, flat and stable, and it's the most affordable option. Our MDF risers ship raw, not primed, so plan to prime and paint them. MDF is paint-only; it won't take a stain.
Poplar is a solid hardwood that paints well and holds up to knocks a little better than MDF. Poplar risers can take up to 4 weeks.
Pairing a painted riser with a stained tread is a popular look, and it's an easy way to brighten a staircase.
If you want the riser to match the tread, buy them in the same species. Red oak and white oak risers are in stock and match our red oak and white oak stair treads. We also carry hickory, hard maple, soft maple, beech, birch, cherry, Brazilian cherry, mahogany and walnut, which can take up to 4 weeks.
All of our wood risers ship unfinished, ready to stain or paint.
Every riser is 3/4″ thick and comes in 3, 4, 5 or 6 ft lengths that you cut to the width of your stair. Most stairs use the 7-1/4″ height. The riser fills the space from the top of one tread to the underside of the next, so measure that gap on every step. They're rarely all the same. Red oak and white oak also come in 11-1/4″ boards you can rip to any height, and white oak comes in 5-1/2″ for short rises. Check your local code for the maximum step height before you build. See our treads and risers code guide.
If you're keeping the existing stair structure and covering it, take a look at our RetroFit stair tread kits, made to go over existing stairs.
Standard. Every species, plus MDF. Fits most stairs. 3/4″ thick, 3–6 ft long.
Rip-to-fit. Red oak and white oak. Rip to a custom height.
Short. White oak. For low rises and short steps.
Risers are simple to install, but measuring each one is where most mistakes happen.
Measure the height and width of each riser opening separately. Old stairs are rarely square or consistent.
Cut each riser to its own width and height. Lengths run 3 to 6 ft, so most stairs need one piece per step.
Prime and paint MDF or poplar, or stain and seal hardwood, before you install. It's much easier than finishing in place.
Fasten each riser to the stringers with construction adhesive and finish nails. Add the tread above. See what it costs to replace treads and risers.
A stair riser is the vertical board at the front of each step, between one tread and the next. It closes in the stair and gives each step its height.
The tread is the horizontal board you step on. The riser is the vertical board under the front of each tread. Most staircases need one of each per step.
Our risers are 3/4″ thick and come in 3 to 6 ft lengths. The standard height is 7-1/4″. Red oak and white oak also come in 11-1/4″, and white oak in 5-1/2″.
No. Our MDF risers ship raw and are ready for you to prime and paint. Our wood risers ship unfinished, ready to stain or paint.
Use MDF if you're painting and want the lowest cost and a smooth, flat surface. Use poplar if you're painting but want solid wood. Use red oak, white oak or another hardwood if you're staining the risers to match your treads.
No. MDF doesn't take stain, so it's paint-only. For a stained riser, choose red oak, white oak or another hardwood.
MDF, red oak and white oak risers are in stock and ship the same day when ordered by 11am CST on business days. Poplar and the other species can take up to 4 weeks. Orders of $750 or more in parts ship free.
