Character Walnut Stair Tread Details

Walnut is a naturally dense, resilient wood. It’s considered one of the hardest woods, having a hardness greater than maple and oak. Character walnut is made from the deeper, core wood of walnut trees. This type of wood is known as the heartwood. Walnut heartwood has a darker, more textured coloration. It is most recognized for its straight wood grain with a mixture of swirls. Because of its darker coloration, character walnut stair treads are an excellent complement to lighter colored handrails, banisters, and walls.

Please Note: Because each piece of wood has its own unique character, grain and color will vary from the sample images shown. All Stair Treads are custom made to order. All orders revised or cancelled after going into production (within 24 hours after order is received) will have a restocking fee of up to 50%.

Character Walnut Stair Tread Customization Options

Since each Hardwood Lumber stair tread is custom made to order, you can select from a range of custom tread options: the exact dimensions, stain color, texture, and other features.

Standard or Retrofit Treads

Standard treads are designed to completely replace the existing stairs, while retrofit (retreads) fit over existing stairs. If you’re selecting standard treads, choose from 1”, 3/4", 1-1/4" or 1-1/2" thickness. Retrofit stair treads are 3/4" thick, with an overhang on the front edge measuring 1" thick x 1-1/4" deep. Our stair treads and risers are made with a three to five piece glue up.

Tread Sizing

Select any length up to 120” and any depth up to 18”.

Nosing

Nosing is the front part of the tread that hangs over the step. While nosing is mainly a safety feature, it can also be customized with different styles such as bullnose, squared edge, or eased edge.

Return

Returns are designed for staircases with banisters. A left return corresponds to a left-side banister, while a right return corresponds to a right-side banister. If you have a banister on both sides, you’ll need a double return. A left or right hand return is determined by standing at the bottom of the stairs looking up.

Returns are 1-1/4" wide and extend 1-1/2" past the back side of the tread. Stair Treads over 48" long may be slightly oversize with uneven ends. All length measurements are overall, including the return(s). For example, a single return 36" tread will have a 34-3/4" throat size, a double return 48" tread will have a 45-1/2" throat size.

Finish

There are many ways walnut stair treads can be finished. By adding a finish, your stair treads are better protected from scratches and scuff marks. Choose from a variety of finish options such as Tread Coat, (specifically made for high traffic areas), Acrylic Polyurethane, or Teak Oil.

Textures

We offer various texture options on all our wood stair treads, including hand-scraped, wire brushed, sawcut, and distressed. If you prefer to have your stair treads sanded smooth and have no texture, be sure to select NONE in the Texture Options.

The Wire Brushed texture is best suited for wood with an open grain, such as White Oak or Ash. Walnut has a tighter grain, making the Wire Brushed Texture less visible.

Our stair treads are sanded and maintained perfectly on top, while the bottom is left in a potentially rough state, untouched, because when installed it will never be visible.

Shipping Information

All wood stair parts are custom made to order. Shipping may vary depending on your customization options. Please provide for a standard lead of 1 to 2 weeks for processing, milling, and shipping of stair tread orders.

Note: Lead times may vary based on seasonal demand. Please contact our sales team online or by phone at 1-800-798-1269 for questions regarding current order lead times.