Youve been going up and down those stairs in your house for years, so its tempting to think theyre just the same as they always were. But nothing lasts forever, not even the things we most take for granted. If youre 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. The vertical kick plates between stairs are known as risers, and the saw-tooth shaped pieces supporting the stairs from beneath are stringers. All these pieces need to be fitted tightly together to avoid creaking as the stairs are being used.
If its time to address some squeaks, cracks or other stair problems, its a great opportunity to increase their beauty as well. Hardwood stairs with a decorative runner can increase the graciousness of your home. Ranging in price to fit any budget, stair treads can be matched to any dcor.
Economical Hardwood
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...