Wooden Cladding for Floating Staircases – Everything You Need to Know in 2025
There are many options for those considering installing stairs in their home or commercial property in 2025. In the V.PSTAIRS portfolio, you may find that a frequent solution is floating staircases. Why is this so? This type of staircase can add uniqueness to your premises and transform it for the better. However, what material should you choose for a floating staircase?
Many homeowners favour natural materials such as wood. For the perfect result, the best pieces of wood are individually selected and pre-treated to complement metal or concrete steps. There are many available options and nuances here that you should be aware of. That’s why we wanted to tell you more about wood cladding for floating staircases in this article.
Wooden Cladding – What is It?
Wooden cladding for floating staircases is a method of covering the structural elements of a staircase (typically metal or concrete) with natural wood. This cladding includes the installation of wooden treads, risers (if present), and sometimes side panels or stringers. The goal is to transform a raw structural frame into a visually refined architectural feature, combining strength with the timeless appeal of wood. With a wide variety of materials available for staircase finishing, many customers choose wood. And so, here are the main advantages of this solution:
- Naturality. Wood brings warmth, texture, and a tactile surface that no synthetic material can replicate. It adds a human touch to modern, minimalist staircases.
- Durability. When properly selected and treated, hardwoods like oak or walnut provide excellent resistance to daily wear and last for decades.
- Aesthetics. Wood enhances the aesthetics of floating stairs, softening industrial elements and adding depth, contrast, and value to any interior.
In modern interior design, wooden cladding elevates structural elements. Especially with floating staircases, where every detail is exposed, the right wooden cladding can turn an engineering feature into a design statement.
Popular Solutions for Wooden Cladding
Wooden materials for a staircase are a broad term. Why is it so? You can choose from dozens of species options for your project. However, one of the best solutions is to choose a staircase material based on your interior design. For example, imagine you have dark oak parquet flooring. In that case, choose oak for the stair tiling to create a unified style for the room.
In any case, you are not limited in choice. Most importantly, think about the durability, strength and appearance of such a solution. We would like to tell you below about the three main variants of wood cladding, which are most often found in our work.
Learn how to choose a staircase to match your interior style here → https://vpstairs.com/how-to-choose-a-staircase-to-match-your-interior-style/
1. Oak
Oak is one of the most popular hardwoods for staircase cladding due to its exceptional strength and timeless appearance. Why is it a popular choice in the UK? Its dense grain structure makes it highly resistant to wear, dents, and moisture when properly treated. Oak’s neutral tones work well in both traditional and contemporary interiors, offering design flexibility and long-term performance.
In floating staircases, oak provides a solid, grounded feel without overwhelming the airy design. It accepts stains and finishes evenly, allowing for custom colour matching. Whether left natural or darkened, oak creates a premium look.
2. Walnut
The next popular option is walnut. This is chosen for its rich, dark tones and distinctive grain patterns. They instantly elevate the visual appeal of any floating staircase. It’s a premium hardwood known for its durability and luxurious aesthetic. Walnut cladding creates depth and contrast, particularly in light-coloured or minimalist interiors.
Despite its slightly softer nature compared to oak, walnut holds up well under daily use when finished correctly. Its natural beauty often requires little to no staining. For designers seeking warmth, drama, and a bold statement, walnut is a top-tier choice for staircase cladding.
3. Pine
Pine is a softwood that offers an affordable and versatile cladding option, particularly for projects with budget constraints. Its light colour and subtle grain make it a blank canvas, ideal for painting, staining, or applying finishes to match a specific interior style.
While pine is not as hard-wearing as oak or walnut, it can still perform well when treated with high-quality protective coatings. It’s commonly used in rustic, Scandinavian, or transitional designs where a natural, relaxed look is desired. For homeowners prioritising style on a budget, pine offers excellent visual results at a lower cost.
How Difficult is Wood Cladding in Floating Staircases?
The main difficulty in cladding floating staircases is that the structure should look as light as possible, as if the steps were “hanging” in the air. Any inaccuracy in fitting the wood can disrupt the visual effect. Therefore, it is extremely important that all elements of the masonry are accurately measured, neatly trimmed and perfectly joined without protrusions or gaps. Edges should be clean and lines should be even and minimalistic.
The process begins with the selection of the wood species – most often it is chosen to match the tone of the flooring to create a coherent perception of the interior. The material is then processed, accurately marked and cut. Mounting is carried out using concealed fasteners so as not to disturb the aesthetics. If necessary, LED lighting is integrated into each step to add volume and emphasise the “floating” effect of the staircase.
Approach Used in V.PSTAIRS
If you would like get the best results, you should only go to reliable and trusted places. As a leading luxury staircase manufacturer in the UK, we help with turnkey timber cladding. What makes us different from others? Firstly, a professional approach that aims for the best results. We listen to what our clients want, select the best pieces of wood needed and clearly follow the relevant building regulations for staircases in the UK (BS 5395-1:2010 standard).
Do you have an idea for a staircase or wooden cladding? At V.PSTAIRS we are happy to help even the most daring idea come to life. We will conduct a free consultation, analyse your requirements, provide a solution and support you every step of the way. Contact us by any convenient way for you to get in touch with our manager!
6 Comments
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vpstairs
Don’t worry! We use engineered solutions that make cladding lightweight but extremely durable. It gives the staircase the elegance of natural wood without compromising safety.
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Amelia Ward
Beautiful photos! Do you only work with walnut and oak for cladding?
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vpstairs
Thanks, Amelia! While walnut and oak are popular, we also offer ash, beech, and other timbers depending on the style you’re aiming for.
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Darren Hughes
We’ve got underfloor heating, and I was worried cladding would move loads over time. Good to see you mentioned engineered solutions. That’s exactly what we’re leaning towards.
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Sophie Lang
The floating look is gorgeous, but I never realised how much the join lines matter until I saw close-ups. Tiny gaps would do my head in.
Comments are closed.
Richard Evans
This is exactly what I was looking for! I want my floating staircase to look warm and natural, but I was afraid cladding would be too heavy.