Stairs are usually the last thing a flooring crew finishes, and the first thing a client notices when they walk in. Pick the wrong tread and you’re either tearing out a stair you didn’t need to, or living with a nosing that never quite matches the floor. Here’s how to choose, starting with the job instead of the catalog.
Start with the job, not the wood
Every stair falls into one of two camps: a new or fully rebuilt stair, or a remodel where the old steps stay in place. That one question decides most of the list.
- New stair or full rebuild: full 1″ thick, 11-1/2″ deep solid hardwood treads.
- Carpet to hardwood remodel: 5/8″ RetroTreads that cap right over the existing steps, no tear-out.
- Modern or craftsman look: square edge treads, in full thickness or as a RetroTread.
Full treads: red oak, white oak and square edge
Our full treads are edge-glued from several pieces of solid hardwood, which keeps them flatter and helps resist cupping. They’re Select grade and kiln dried, so color and moisture stay consistent from the first step to the landing.
- Red oak: warm red and pink undertones with a lively grain. The go-to for stain-grade stairs, and the one we carry in the widest range of lengths, from 36″ to 96″.
- White oak: brown and tan tones with a tighter, finer grain. Takes natural and gray-leaning stains well and matches white oak floors.
- Square edge (“Craftsman”): the nosing is squared off instead of rounded. Pairs with square posts and flat-top rails.
Open side of the stair? Use a tread with a return already attached, or add a return to any tread.
RetroTreads: hardwood stairs without the demolition
RetroTreads are the fastest way to turn a carpeted stair into hardwood. Pull up the carpet, cut off the existing nosing and cap each step with a 5/8″ RetroTread. The stair looks like solid oak and nobody has to rebuild it. Pair them with 3/8″ white primed risers, which are thin enough to go over the existing risers, and finish landings and balcony edges with Retro Landing Treads so everything matches.
Risers: oak or white primed
For a stain-grade stair, use oak risers in the same species as the treads so the whole stair finishes as one piece. For the classic look of white risers under stained treads, use white primed risers, ready for the final coat. Both are 7-1/2″ tall.
Which tread for which job
| The job | Tread | Riser |
|---|---|---|
| New stair, stain grade | Red or white oak, 1″ | Oak, 3/4″ |
| New stair, painted risers | Red or white oak, 1″ | White primed, 3/4″ |
| Modern or craftsman | Square edge tread | White primed or oak |
| Carpet to hardwood | RetroTreads, 5/8″ | White primed, 3/8″ |
| Modern remodel | Square edge RetroTreads, white oak | White primed, 3/8″ |
| Landing or balcony edge | Retro Landing Tread | n/a |
Want the client to see it before anything is cut? Our free Stair Designer lets you try treads, risers, rails and balusters on real stair photos. Then see every size on our Treads & Risers page, and match the edges with stair nosing and cove.
Quick answers
How deep and thick are standard stair treads?
Our full treads are 11-1/2″ deep and 1″ thick. RetroTreads are 11-1/2″ deep (11-1/4″ for square edge) and 5/8″ thick. Always check local building code for tread depth, riser height and nosing.
Can RetroTreads go over any stair?
They’re made to cap existing steps once the carpet and old nosing are removed. Check that the existing stair is solid and level first.
Do you carry treads in other species?
Brazilian Cherry and Maple treads are available in select lengths; call to check stock. Custom lengths, profiles and species are available through our mill partners.
Pick it up at any of our six stores
Great prices on everything we carry is why professionals have trusted First Atlanta Flooring for 17 years. We open by 7 AM on weekdays (Marietta at 6:30 AM) in Alpharetta, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Norcross, Suwanee and Winder. Call ahead and we’ll have it pulled and ready.
