Wood Species Guide for Stair Parts

Wood Species Compared

Janka hardness measures how well a wood resists dents. Higher is harder. Numbers are typical published values and vary from board to board.

Species	Hardness (Janka, lbf)	Color	Best for
Red Oak	1,290	Light to medium brown, reddish cast	Stained treads, rails and newels on a budget
White Oak	1,360	Light to medium brown, slightly yellow or gray	Modern and natural finishes
Hickory	1,820	Light tan to reddish brown, with dark streaks	Rustic looks and heavy traffic
Pecan	1,820	Yellow to reddish brown	Rustic looks and heavy traffic
Maple	1,450	Pale, creamy white	Light, clean finishes and paint
Brazilian Cherry	2,350	Rich reddish brown, darkens over time	Matching Brazilian cherry floors
American Cherry	950	Pinkish brown that deepens to reddish brown	Traditional, high-end stairs
Walnut	1,010	Rich dark chocolate brown	Upscale looks without stain
Mahogany	About 800 to 900	Reddish brown	Elegant, traditional handrails
Clear Alder	590	Light, even brown	Stained looks on a budget
Knotty Alder	590	Medium to light brown, with knots	Rustic and farmhouse styles
Poplar	540	Light cream with green or gray streaks	Painted parts
Hemlock	540	Light brown to yellowish brown	Painted or light stained parts
Pine	About 380 to 870, depending on type	Pale yellow to creamy white, often with knots	Painted parts and rustic looks

Wood Species for Stairs, One by One

Red Oak

The most common wood for stair parts in America. It’s hard, holds up to daily traffic, and has a strong, open grain that takes stain evenly, so it works with almost any color. If you’re matching existing oak floors or trim, it’s usually red oak.

White Oak

A little harder than red oak, with a tighter grain and a cooler, less pink color. It looks great with a clear or natural finish, and it’s the go-to wood for modern and Scandinavian-style stairs.

Hickory

One of the hardest domestic woods, so it shrugs off dents. It has a lot of color variation from board to board, which gives it a bold, rustic look.

Pecan

Pecan is in the hickory family and is just as hard. It has warm color variation and a more rustic character than oak.

Maple

Hard, smooth and very consistent, with a subtle grain. It’s beautiful natural or painted. Maple can look blotchy with dark stains, so use a pre-stain conditioner or go lighter.

Brazilian Cherry

Also called jatoba. It’s the hardest wood on this list and very dense. The deep red-brown color darkens with age, so most people leave it natural instead of staining it.

American Cherry

A fine, smooth grain and a warm color that gets richer over the years. It’s softer than oak, so it can dent. Like maple, it can blotch with dark stains.

Walnut

A naturally dark wood, so you get a rich color without stain. It’s a premium look, but it’s softer than oak and can scratch or dent more easily.

Mahogany

A straight, fine grain and a classic reddish-brown color. It’s stable and doesn’t warp much, which makes it a nice wood for handrails.

Clear Alder

Clear alder has a smooth, even look with no knots. It stains well and is often used to get a cherry-like look for less. It’s a softer wood, so it can dent.

Knotty Alder

The same wood as clear alder, but with the knots left in for a rustic, farmhouse look. It’s soft and easy to finish.

Poplar

Poplar is technically a hardwood, but it’s soft. Its color isn’t pretty under stain, but it takes paint very well, so it’s a great, affordable choice for painted balusters, newels and risers.

Hemlock

A light, straight-grained softwood that machines smooth and takes paint and stain well. It’s softer than the hardwoods, so a good finish helps it hold up.

Pine

An affordable softwood that stains or paints easily. It’s the softest wood here, so it dents more than oak, especially on treads.

How to Choose

• Staining? Red oak or white oak. They stain evenly and hide wear.
• Painting? Poplar. It’s affordable and paints smooth.
• Lots of kids or pets? Go harder: hickory, pecan, white oak or Brazilian cherry.
• Matching floors? Use the same species as your floors, then match the stain.
• Rustic look? Knotty alder, hickory or pine.

Not every species is available for every part. Check the product page, or call (866) 727-9356. See also types of stair treads and parts of a staircase.