It can be overwhelming when you are looking at all your options for staircase building materials. From concrete, metal, and even hardwood, there are a variety of choices available. But if you’ve got your heart set on having wooden stairs, what are the species that can best suit your requirements?
Table of Contents
MDF
Low cost, and acceptable quality for stair treads, it’s important to note that MDF is available in different grades and from different manufacturers, so you have to be discerning when buying these to ensure good quality for the price.
Merbau
Good quality with a high degree of natural durability, these work well used for stairs. Depending on where this is sourced, the cost can vary, however, it’s best to opt for timber stairs sourced from Australia not only to help local businesses, but also ensure high-quality wood.
Pine
Strong, soft wood, its lack of markings and raised grain patterns provide a good base for stairs with runners. Or, if you’re wanting to paint over your timber stairs, pine’s porous nature means that it’ll take well to staining and paint, which amps up its versatility.
Plywood
Plywood is a cheap option for stairs, but light and strong, too. A lot of homeowners tend to go for this timber to amp up a cleaner feeling to the home, while also ensuring easy repairs should a board break.
Blackbutt
With a great fire rating and a distinctive wooden finish, blackbutt is an amazing and highly durable option for stairs. What’s more, because it’s sourced in Australia, you can rest assured that you’ll have great quality and easy sourcing should you choose this option for your timber stairs.
Jarrah
Uniquely toned, with a distinctive even grain, jarrah works best with polished staircases as it exudes a charming style that is hard to replicate. Heavy and strong, it’s unsurprising that more and more homeowners are picking this species to ensure a sturdy staircase that stands the test of time.
Spotted Gum
With a vibrant colour tone, and striking markings, it’s hard to go wrong with spotted gum timber stairs. A species native to Australia, its cream to pink tones lend a bright feel to any home, and it’s easy to match with any interior decor for an elevated style.
There are a fair amount of options of timber stairs for your home. What works best for one household may not work for yours. As such, it’s important to keep in mind that your priorities are for stairs: are you wanting something heavy and extremely durable? Are you wanting to cover your stairs with carpet or a stair runner? Do you want to paint over the wood for a striking look? Different species have different characteristics that can suit or go against what type of design you are looking for in your staircases, so it’s a good idea to look around for inspiration and figure out how you can not only have durable stairs, but stylish ones, too.