Best Types of Wood for Staircases | Personal Experience of V.PSTAIRS
Have you ever wondered what materials are most commonly used to build staircases? Modern people have access to a huge selection of staircase materials, including various types of stone, tempered glass, painted metal and wood. According to unofficial statistics and V.PSTAIRS’ personal experience, customers in the UK tend to prefer natural materials such as wood.
However, wood is a broad concept. Different types of wood vary in colour, unique pattern, strength, durability and other important parameters. Which option is best to choose in 2025? In this article, we would like to tell you about some of the best types of wood for creating a custom staircase. We will share the secrets of manufacturing and the standards that apply to V.PSTAIRS projects. This will serve as a short guide to the types of wood used in staircase projects!
Key Advantages of Wood over Alternatives in the Context of Staircases
When choosing materials for a staircase, many homeowners consider metal, glass, or concrete. While each of these has its place in modern architecture, none of them deliver the same combination of beauty, practicality, and long-term reliability that natural wood offers. So, why choose wood for making steps and risers?
- Durability and load-bearing capacity. Hardwood is highly resistant to daily wear and tear. Properly treated oak or ash can withstand decades of use without warping, cracking, or losing its structural integrity.
- Natural beauty and versatility. Each plank carries unique patterns, shades, and grains, meaning no two staircases ever look the same. Wood adapts to both traditional and contemporary interiors with equal elegance.
- Warmth, comfort, and sustainability. Unlike stone or steel, timber feels pleasant to the touch and naturally regulates temperature. Moreover, responsibly sourced hardwood represents an environmentally conscious choice.
What else? Beyond these benefits, wood is also easier to customise compared to alternatives. It can be shaped into straight, curved, or complex geometrical designs. It allowing architects and homeowners to bring unique visions to life.
Discover the steps involved in planning a custom staircase by reading our article at this link → https://vpstairs.com/steps-for-planning-a-custom-staircase/
What Types of Wood Materials Are Offered by V.PSTAIRS for Gluing?
Actually, we’ve got a wide range of wood materials to choose from. Customers can pick whatever they want. During the consultation, we’ll tell you about the features of each type of wood to make your choice easier. When it comes to gluing wood pieces together to make a strong material for steps or risers, we’ve got a few options. Let’s talk about them in more detail below.
1. Oak
The first option we want to tell you is oak. Why is it so? It has always been associated with strength and longevity, making it one of the most popular choices for staircases. It is not simply about tradition! This material delivers a rare balance of sturdiness and refined aesthetics.
At V.PSTAIRS, we work exclusively with premium-quality oak, offering stair components in a wide range of thicknesses: the standard is 20 mm, but we can manufacture anything from 15 mm up to 50 mm depending on the design requirements. Whether the project calls for straight steps or bespoke curved elements, our custom production technology ensures perfect precision and a flawless finish.
One of our premium solutions is the three-layer engineered oak (Solid Wood 3-layer system). This construction method guarantees maximum stability, preventing deformation even under fluctuating humidity and temperature conditions. It is the ideal choice for homeowners who want their staircase to remain solid and visually perfect for decades to come.
2. Ash
Ash has its own unique advantages. It is slightly more affordable while maintaining impressive durability. This fact makes it a popular choice among homeowners looking for cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality.
Ash features a light, attractive grain pattern that brightens interiors and provides a more modern visual compared to the darker tones of oak. Its versatility makes it suitable for various design styles – from minimalistic Scandinavian to rustic and classic settings. At V.PSTAIRS, we manufacture ash stair components in the same flexible thickness range as oak (15 mm to 50 mm, with 20 mm as standard), ensuring it can be adapted to both lightweight and more robust staircase structures.
What makes ash particularly appealing is its strength-to-price ratio. It is durable enough to handle heavy daily use, yet more budget-friendly than oak.
Our Approach Aimed at the Best Quality
As a leading bespoke staircase company in the UK, we believe that staircases are more than just a structural element. They are the heart of the home, connecting spaces and defining the flow of everyday life. That is why our philosophy is centred on quality without compromise.
We select only the finest hardwoods (oak and ash), which have been proven to perform excellently in staircase construction. Every step of our production process is designed to ensure durability, aesthetic appeal, and precise execution. We guarantee that our products remain stable and beautiful for years to come.
Our craftsmen pay close attention to details, whether creating simple straight stair treads or complex curved designs tailored to individual projects. Additionally, we produce risers from both oak and ash, starting at a thickness of 10 mm. This is a practical and reliable solution that complements any staircase style.
Find out how long it takes to build a staircase in our article here → https://vpstairs.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-build-a-staircase/
Select the Ideal Materials for Your Project
Would you like to discover more affordable materials for your staircase? At V.PSTAIRS, we don’t limit ourselves to oak and ash. In our portfolio, you can find a huge number of completed projects using metal, natural stone, wood and even glass. You can choose for yourself which option best suits your future project.
If you have any doubts or questions, simply contact us in any convenient way. We will quickly provide feedback to conduct a free consultation. Our manager will help you decide on the shape and materials for your project, taking into account your preferences and the characteristics of the site. V.PSTAIRS operates throughout the UK, creating timeless masterpieces. Submit your request and receive feedback within a few hours!
4 Comments
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vpstairs
Thank you for your question. The choice between materials depends on many factors, including budget, personal preferences, type of construction, and more. We recommend that you read our article comparing metal and wooden staircases.
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Emma Hall
Useful information, I will share it with my friends, they will definitely appreciate it!
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Owen Bailey
Oak always felt safe to me, but the way you explained ash has me tempted. I didn’t realise it could look that modern!
Comments are closed.
Thomas Walker
I would like to ask your advice on what is better to choose for a modern staircase – metal or wood? I really want to understand this topic in more detail before buying. Thank you!