Creating Solid Staircases with Reclaimed Oak Stair Treads

Stairs are an incredibly important part of your home that creates a unique design from the front entrance and sets the tone of your overall design style. Whether you have a back staircase hidden behind a door, or you have a dramatic staircase as the focus of your foyer, the stairs need to be solid, durable and long-lasting.

While there are a variety of different wood materials that your can use to create your staircase, hardwood such as oak can help you accomplish your goals. Custom stairs made from white oak or red oak stair treads will give you the durability you need for high traffic areas, while also giving you the beauty and finish you want for this important element of your home’s design.

Reclaimed Oak for Stairs

Reclaimed oak is a natural hardwood that has been previously used. It’s been taken from farmhouses, outbuildings, and barns that are more than 100 years old, then cleaned, kiln-dried, milled, and given a new life for other uses including stair treads. Reclaimed wood is typically from old growth trees, which means the trees were older and larger than trees that are harvested today. This results in a more solid, durable material. Oak is a particularly durable, long-wearing wood, which means that even though it’s already been in use for decades, it still has plenty of life left in its new application.

Reclaimed oak is just as durable and beautiful as new cut wood, but it also has old milling marks and patina that gives it more character. Depending on how the oak was milled, your stair treads may have nail holes or saw marks. Reclaimed oak stair treads will likely have a rustic appearance, or they may look similar to new cut wood stair treads, depending on your selection.

Because they’re made from a material that’s already been in use, reclaimed oak stair treads are more eco-friendly than treads made from new cut wood. They also have a history and appearance that garners instant attraction due to its character. So, if you’re installing custom stair treads in a foyer or other area where the staircase will be part of the room’s design, using reclaimed oak can help you create the perfect home design style while giving you a more sturdy staircase.

Design Ideas for Reclaimed Oak Stair Treads

Oak is an incredibly versatile wood. Whether you choose white oak or red oak, it stains well and has a beautiful grain that can be subtle or brought to the forefront with the right finish. Combined with the different looks that you can get from using antique oak, it’s possible for your reclaimed oak stair treads to take on a variety of styles. If you’re wondering how well reclaimed wood stair treads may fit into your home’s design, take a look at these six images for inspiration.

1. Antique Contrast

Antique stair treads make a beautiful contrast to more modern finishes. These antique oak treads are stained a rich brown that further separates them from the crisp white of the risers and spindles. This contrast makes the custom stairs stand out, creating a focal point within your home design.

2. Rustic Modern

Rustic modern is a transitional style that blends elements from rustic and contemporary designs. These custom stairs are an excellent example of how beautiful the end result can be. The reclaimed red oak is used here without any risers along with contemporary railings. It creates a blend of normally disparate elements that can come together to create a cohesive look when the same home decor components are used elsewhere in the room.

3. Subtle Style

You don’t need to use contrast to create a statement or a beautiful staircase. This solid wood staircase uses the same material for the risers and treads. It creates a softer, more formal look that will let it blend in with a wider variety of architectural styles. The posts and wrought iron railings paired with this staircase suggest an Arts and Crafts or bungalow theme.

4. Antique Style

Another way to combine your risers and treads into the same staircase is to use reclaimed wood that still has its natural patina and aged finish. In this case, the richness of the oak color is allowed to show through the patina, while the saw marks and other signs of wear add depth and interest to the whole area.

5. Warm Finish

One of the best features of white oak is the way it can take on so many different finishes. This oak staircase has been given a rich, honey stain. It lets the grain of the oak show through, complementing the dark color of the risers, while also matching the oak wood flooring at the landing. This creates a more contemporary look for the staircase, while still making them appear warm and welcoming.

6. Match your Flooring

If you’re using oak flooring throughout your home, why not take it up your stairs as well? Unique wood flooring can’t be matched to any other material, so the best way to create a cohesive design is to use the same wood and close finish on your custom stair treads. Your risers can be painted white to add a little contrast and to match the baseboards and millwork. 

Create your own Staircase Design with Reclaimed Oak

Reclaimed oak can give you a wide variety of looks and styles for staircase treads. Whether you want something subtle or dramatic, oak can fulfill your design needs and handle years of foot traffic with ease. Consider using Elmwood’s reclaimed oak for your stair treads to capture its beauty and durability for your home. We have a variety of reclaimed oak products to choose from with many stains to fit any style.

Contact us now to find the perfect hardwood that matches your interior design for a custom staircase design!