is pine too soft for stairs

The lone drawback to pine stair treads is that because it's a softwood

, it will damage easily. If you drop an object on the stairs they will dent, and if you have dogs in your home, their claws will likely scratch the stairs. This trait isn't always a drawback, however.

Full Answer

Is pine good for stair treads?

Is Pine Good for Stair Treads? 1 Benefits. Some of the benefits of pine stair treads include the wood's cost, its availability and its appearance. 2 Drawbacks. The lone drawback to pine stair treads is that because it's a softwood, it will damage easily. ... 3 Finishing. Pine is a wood that accepts both stain and paint. ... 4 Other. ...

Can You stain or paint pine stairs?

More expensive stair tread wood, such as cherry, is not ideal to paint because you're paying for the appearance of the wood. If you want the pine treads to show their light color, stain them with a clear or light finish. The more coats of stain you apply, the darker the stairs will appear.

What kind of wood is used for stair treads?

A softwood, pine is suitable for stair treads in your home. Pine is one of many kinds of wood that is ideal to make up the stair treads in your home. Using pine for this purpose has several benefits, making it common in many homes.

What are the disadvantages of pine stairs?

The lone drawback to pine stair treads is that because it's a softwood, it will damage easily. If you drop an object on the stairs they will dent, and if you have dogs in your home, their claws will likely scratch the stairs.

Is pine strong enough for stairs?

A softwood, pine is suitable for stair treads in your home. Pine is one of many kinds of wood that is ideal to make up the stair treads in your home. Using pine for this purpose has several benefits, making it common in many homes.

How thick should pine stair treads be?

While stair treads can come in a variety of material types, code does not discern between them. Therefore a riserless stair tread must be a minimum of 1 ½” regardless of whether it is pine or ash or some type of composite material.

What wood should I use for stairs?

Hardwoods: Oak, Cherry, and Maple are the most popular types of hardwoods. When stairs are made out of these materials, they are considered “finish grade”.

How do I make pine stairs more durable?

You can seal and protect pine treads with a deep application of penetrating oil stain topped with a finishing coat of shellac. Shellac has been used on stair treads for many years with better results than similar types of finishes.

Do pine stair treads hold up?

Yes. While Pine is softer than Oak and other hardwoods, Pine is nevertheless one of the best woods for stair treads. Pine hardwood floors and stair treads have incredible longevity – you'll find many homes with Pine floors that are centuries old.

What is the best material for stair treads?

Concrete is the most popular material used to build outdoor stairs due to its durability, but can also be used as the base of stairs in offices and homes that are then covered with other materials. Metal pan stair treads with poured concrete are very popular for commercial egress stairs.

Is pine a hardwood?

Softwood comes from evergreen trees (conifers). These trees reproduce in the form of cones, called “gymnosperms”. A pine cone is a perfect example! Softwood trees are typically faster growing and less dense than hardwood.

What size wood do you use for steps?

Stair treads may be made of a single 2x12, but are often made of two decking boards or 2x6s. A stringer is a wide board, usually a 2x12, that runs at an angle from the landing pad to the deck framing and supports the treads.

What is the best wood for a stair railing?

If you choose to use wood for a handrail, there are more reliable options, such as maple or oak. These hardwoods are more expensive than the softer woods, though they are more durable.

Can you use softwood for stairs?

Softwood is an excellent, reasonably priced alternative to hardwood for finishing your staircase. It's also a versatile choice for stair parts since it's ideal for staining and painting. As softwoods grow so quickly and easily, they are a much more environmentally friendly choice than hardwood.

What is the most durable finish for stair treads?

Polyurethane provides the most durable, hardy finish for wood stairs.

Is Yellow Pine Good for stair treads?

About our Yellow Pine Stair parts As opposed to White Pine, Yellow Pine is harder in density, which means it is a better choice for wood flooring and wood stairs projects, according to the Wood Database online.

What size lumber is best for stair treads?

It is acceptable and within building code guidelines to use either 2×10 or 2×12 dimensional lumber to create a set of stairs; however, a stair stringer should not be less than 3.5 inches wide at its narrowest point to provide adequate strength for the load the stairs will be supporting.

How thick are timber stair treads?

32 and 42mmStandard tread sizes are usually up to 285mm wide with a thickness of 32 and 42mm.

What size lumber do you use for stair treads?

Stair treads are the horizontal boards that you step on. Stair treads may be made of a single 2x12, but are often made of two decking boards or 2x6s. A stringer is a wide board, usually a 2x12, that runs at an angle from the landing pad to the deck framing and supports the treads.

How thick should wood be for stairs?

Wood is the most common stair tread and must be at least one-inch thick on stairs supported by risers. Wood must be at least one-and-a-half inches thick when used with open risers. Building code states that stair treads must be thick enough to support a person going up or down the stairs.

How to protect pine treads from moisture?

You can seal and protect pine treads with a deep application of penetrating oil stain topped with a finishing coat of shellac.

How to resand wood steps?

Force wood dough deep into cracks, splits, holes or gouges using a stiff putty knife. Resand the steps using 100-grit sandpaper on a hand block. Brush the steps off with a small brush.

How long does shellac take to dry?

Brush parallel to the grain of the wood as much as possible, but if you wipe across the grain occasionally that's okay. Allow the shellac to dry for 24 hours.

How to sand steps?

Sand the steps by hand using a folded piece of 180-grit sandpaper. Sand them until they feel silky and smooth to the touch.

Can shellac be used on stair treads?

Shellac has been used on stair treads for many years with better results than similar types of finishes. Proper preparation is also important when preparing pine treads for finishing. One thing to note -- fir treads are often mistaken for pine. They can be treated the same way.

What to wear when working with wood?

Always wear safety glasses and breathing protection when working with wood or wood finishing products.

Can you use glue on pine treads?

Don't use glue on pine treads when installing them. Too much glue will cause pine treads to crack as the wood expands and contracts. It's fine to use small dabs of glue on wedges, but that's all. Always wear safety glasses and breathing protection when working with wood or wood finishing products. Writer Bio.

What wood is used for stair treads?

Pine and oak are two woods commonly used in stair treads. Both can be purchased at any big-box home improvement retailer or lumber supply yard. Both are durable, but differ considerably in appearance and price.

What is the difference between white oak and red oak?

White oak is the color of natural wood, or pale yellow, with a darker grain pattern. Red oak is rust-colored, with a darker grain pattern. Pine is pale yellow and has a grain pattern that is lighter than the rest of the wood.

What is aesthetic difference?

The aesthetic difference is a major consideration for builders, remodelers and homeowners considering stair-building material, with price playing a secondary role in most purchase decisions. Advertisement.

What is the best wood for stairs?

For example, stairs in a house with carpeted floors or the staircase to the basement are usually made of pine. Because it is more porous than oak, pine is the preferred wood for stairs that will be painted. Advertisement.

Is pine flooring carpeted over oak?

Oak's fine texture make it ideal for treads that will be stained and left uncarpeted or for those that will be covered with a carpet runner down the center, such as the main staircase in a home with matching hardwood floors. Pine, on the other hand, is frequently carpeted over or left natural.

Is pine wood more durable than oak?

Chacteristics. Although pine is softer than oak, it is still durable. Oak is a hardwood and is considered a premium wood by craftsmen and builders, with white oak preferable to red. Oak is also more durable, finer textured, more moisture resistant and less likely than pine to shrink or swell.

Is oak more expensive than pine?

Be prepared to spend considerably more for oak. Oak is considerably more expensive than pine, and white oak costs more than red. Some retailers, for example, sell white oak tread for more than twice the price of pine.

What is the difference between 2x12 and matte poly?

Satin or matte poly has silicates (flour sand) added as flatteners (also sometimes beeswax) which make it less slippery but also less durable.I 'd just do a stain coat and a thinned coat of clear gloss poly.

Can you use carpet on stairs?

While it is true that wood stairs can be slippery in socks they give sufficient traction for anyone with shoes on. I find that carpet while softer and offering good traction is also much more dangerous than a hard stair surface. The problem with carpet is that it makes the tread edges fuzzy and rounded which can lead to slipping. Carpet also can be very slick when wearing hard soled shoes especially if you step on the outer edges of the treads. Don't worry about the hardness of the wood. Since you used 2x12 stock it is likely SYP which is perfectly serviceable wood for stair treads. Satin or matte poly has silicates (flour sand) added as flatteners (also sometimes beeswax) which make it less slippery but also less durable.I'd just do a stain coat and a thinned coat of clear gloss poly. That way the finish will mostly be absorbed into the wood and the surface will still retain some texture and traction. Such a finish will be vulnerable to wearing but can also be easily repaired and/or recoated when needed.

Can I run a rug down the center of a tread?

If the treads are pine I'd suggest considering running a rug down the center of the treads. Stairs take a ton of abuse, and no matter how they are finished, pine treads will get dinged, scratched and worn quickly. The problem is that the wood itself is soft and no finish can compensate for the softness.

Is Glitza Gold toxic?

My contractor used Glitza Gold on the kitchen floor, front hall and stairway. It is toxic and had to be applied with respirators and no one in the house for 48 hours. After ten years of heavy use with my three kids....and me walking those stairs with leather soled shoes....not a scratch....unbelievable. Some say that a product called 'Traffic' is even better. Slippery was never an issue....and nothing covered the wood..

Is pine wood soft?

Although pine is soft, as mentioned, your question is how to prevent the poly from providing too slick a surface.

What wood should I use for stair treads?

While Pine is softer than Oak and other hardwoods, Pine is nevertheless one of the best woods for stair treads. Pine hardwood floors and stair treads have incredible longevity – you’ll find many homes with Pine floors that are centuries old.

How do you seal pine stair treads?

You can seal and protect pine treads with a deep application of penetrating oil stain topped with a finishing coat of shellac. Shellac has been used on stair treads for many years with better results than similar types of finishes.

What can I make stair treads from?

Quote from the video: Quote from Youtube video: I was to add a one inch tread on every one of the treads that is already there so I did not have to recalculate stringers or anything like that. So I bought rock-cut oak boards from a mill.

Is pine too soft for stair treads?

A softwood, pine is suitable for stair treads in your home. Pine is one of many kinds of wood that is ideal to make up the stair treads in your home.

What is the safest covering for stairs?

Out of all the options on our list, carpet is by far the safest type of flooring for stairs. A carpeted staircase with short, dense fibers can do a lot for your home. The shorter fibers are more durable and can weather heavy foot traffic while still feeling soft and comfortable underfoot.

How do I make my stair treads deeper?

Quote from the video: Quote from Youtube video: Plywood you don't need to find two one inch boards. For three inches. We have two two by um sixes let's say two inch and a half members pieces of lumber.

How do you make wooden stair treads less slippery?

The best way to make your hardwood stairs less slippery is to add traction by installing carpet, anti-slip adhesive stair treads, or applying a coat of anti-slip floor finish to the surface of each stair.

How to sand a sanding block?

Put on a sanding respirator mask. Sand the treads with 120-grit sandpaper on a sanding block. Wipe away the sanding dust with a rag soaked in denatured alcohol. Repeat these steps with 180-grit sandpaper and then with 220-grit sandpaper.

How to sand a tread?

Put on a sanding respirator mask. Sand the treads with 120-grit sandpaper on a sanding block. Wipe away the sanding dust with a rag soaked in denatured alcohol. Repeat these steps with 180-grit sandpaper and then with 220-grit sandpaper.

How to fill holes in wood?

Fill holes and cracks with wood putty. Remove excess putty with a putty knife. Allow the putty to dry according to the manufacturer's specifications. Sand the filled areas with 220-grit sandpaper. Wipe away the dust with a rag soaked in denatured alcohol. Repeat this step if the holes and cracks are still visible.

Where to use stains?

Use stains only in a well-ventilated area away from open flame and sparks.

Can you use gel stain on pine?

If you plan to use a liquid stain on pine, you must apply a wood conditioner to the sanded wood before staining. Gel stain doesn't require wood conditioner, so it may be a better choice if you wish to save time. Advertisement.

Who is David Swan?

David Swan has been a professional writer since 1991, working primarily on academic titles. He has written and edited textbooks on green business, community redevelopment and the chemistry of hazardous materials.

What is the best wood for stair treads?

Economical Wood For Stair Treads. Poplar Stair Treads: Lightweight, and somewhat soft for a hardwood, poplar is fine-grained in white to yellow-brown. It paints well and is easy to cut. Beech Stair Treads: Stronger than oak or maple, beech is typically a reddish-brown wood that is fairly straight grained.

Why do stairs need to be tightly fitted together?

All these pieces need to be fitted tightly together to avoid creaking as the stairs are being used. If it’s time to address some squeaks, cracks or other stair problems, it’s a great opportunity to increase their beauty as well. Hardwood stairs with a decorative runner can increase the graciousness of your home.

What is a mahogany stair tread?

Mahogany Stair Treads: Durable and fine-grained, mahogany resists shrinking, warping, and swelling. It finishes well and is easy to cut.

What does it mean when you hear creaks on a stair tread?

If you’re starting to hear creaks, or seeing cracks in the wood or discoloration, it might be time to change out the treads. Not to be confused with tire treads, stair treads are the boards across the top of the stair that your feet steps on as you walk up or down.

What is the color of white oak stairs?

White Oak Stair Treads: Hard, strong, white oak is open-grained, but not as pronounced as red oak. It resists shrinking and warping, has a golden color, and finishes well.

Do hardwood floors need to be smooth?

Compare hickory, cherry or walnut stair treads to get a sense of the possibilities. Texture: Hardwoods do not have to be smooth. Hand scraped, distressed and reclaimed pieces are becoming more and more available.

Is red oak hard to cut?

Red Oak Stair Treads: Hard, strong, rigid with a pronounced open grain, red oak resists warping. Its reddish color finishes well but is moderately hard to cut.

What type of wood is used for flooring?

While the many varieties of hardwoods spoil homeowners with choice, softwoods encompass a category unto themselves. Pine is probably the softwood most frequently used in flooring, but it’s not the only one.

Is hardwood a softwood?

And while almost all hardwoods are, in fact, hard, softwoods are not really soft; they’re simply more susceptible to dents and dings. Impervious to such incidental damage, durable hardwoods have become virtually synonymous with wood flooring.

Is softwood a renewable resource?

Like bamboo, softwoods can be considered a renewable resource. Photo: frankshirleyarchitects.com.

Can you finish hardwood floors?

Finishing Softwood Flooring. Whereas hardwood floors often come prefinished, softwood hardly ever does . That can be a good thing, though, since it affords you the opportunity to finish the wood exactly as you’d like. There are lots of options when it comes to finishing, including stains, varnish, and tung oil.

Is pine cheaper than vinyl?

And many cases, pine costs even less than vinyl flooring!

Is hardwood flooring durable?

Impervious to such incidental damage, durable hardwoods have become virtually synonymous with wood flooring. And it’s undeniable that for high-traffic rooms, particularly in homes with children or pets, hardwood makes the superior floor choice. But due to their low cost and rustic look, there are certain situations in which softwoods—pine, spruce, ...

Is softwood more resilient than hardwood?

There are degrees of resiliency among softwoods, but it can be generally stated that in comparison with hardwoods, softwoods are more vulnerable to dents, dings, and scratches. In a kitchen where canned goods might fall from a countertop, or in a living room where the floor might be subject to a guest’s high heels, softwoods would inevitably—and sooner rather than later—begin to show wear.