Stair Risers
Shop Customizable Stair Risers For Your Home
For over 50 years The Hardwood Lumber Company has produced high-quality wood products, including stair treads and risers.
Complete your staircase project with fully customizable risers. Not sure where to start or what to look for? Keep reading for more information.
Design Your Perfect Staircase With Our Riser Options
Our stair risers are available in over 40 wood species, including both domestic and exotic options. Not sure what species is right for you?
Some of our popular stair tread and riser wood species include:
You’ll find that each wood species we offer has its own characterisitics–both in its appearance and attributes like hardness and durability. Learn more about the top wood species options for stairs to make the best choice for your staircase.
Stair Riser Finish Options
You can choose to have your risers shipped unfinished, or you choose from these finishes:
- Tread Coat: A clear, low-VOC prefinished option that protects your risers while showcasing the natural wood grain. It offers a durable and easy-to-maintain satin finish.
- Tread Coat With Stain: This option combines the protection of our Tread Coat with a rich stain color, allowing you to customize the look of your stairs while maintaining their durability.
- Acrylic Polyurethane: A classic choice for a durable and long-lasting finish. This clear topcoat provides a protective layer that resists scratches and wear, available in a variety of sheens.
- Acrylic Polyurethane With Stain: Enhance the beauty of your chosen wood species with a stain, topped with a protective layer of acrylic polyurethane for maximum durability and a customized look.
- Rubio Monocoat: This hardwax oil finish provides deep penetration and a natural look with exceptional durability. It's a single-coat application that is easy to maintain and environmentally friendly.
- Primed & Painted: For a truly custom look, choose our primed and painted finish. Your risers arrive ready to install with a smooth, painted surface in the color of your choice. Please contact our team for an updated list of our available paint options.
- Primed White: This option provides a clean, classic white base that's ready for you to paint your desired color. It offers a smooth and consistent finish for easy painting.
Painted Stair Risers
It’s increasingly common to see painted risers. Often, risers will be painted a light color or dark color that offers contrast to the stair tread wood species or tread stain. While we can paint any wood type you choose, for painted risers, we recommend one of the following species:
- Poplar: It has a fine, even grain, which creates a smooth surface for paint. It’s also relatively inexpensive, making it a budget-friendly option.
- Maple: Maple has a very tight grain, which also provides a smooth surface for paint. It’s harder than Poplar, so it offers greater durability, but at a higher cost.
- Pine: While softer and more prone to dents, pine is a cost-effective option for painted risers.
Stair Riser FAQs
What are stair risers?
Stair risers are the vertical boards or panels connecting two stair treads, forming the front face of each step.
Are stair risers required on all staircases?
Most traditional staircases require risers, but floating or open staircases typically omit risers for aesthetic reasons.
How tall should stair risers be?
Standard riser height ranges from 7” to 7 ¾”, depending on local building codes and ergonomic considerations.
Do stair risers have structural importance?
Yes, risers provide structural support, increase staircase stability, and reduce tread flexing.
Should stair risers match the treads?
Risers can either match treads for a cohesive look or contrast for aesthetic purposes. This choice is entirely up to personal preference.
Should stair risers be painted or stained?
This depends on your aesthetic goals: painting risers can brighten stairways or create contrast, while staining offers a cohesive, traditional look.
Can I tile stair risers?
Yes, tiling risers is becoming more common. Tile provides decorative appeal, some extra durability, and ease of maintenance, particularly in high-traffic areas.
Do stair risers require maintenance?
Minimal maintenance is needed—periodically clean risers using mild cleaning solutions appropriate for wood and your finish or paint. Repaint or refinish as necessary.