White Retro Riser - 7-3/4 in x 42 in

SKU
RIZP14-42
Special Price $13.77 ea was $17.22 ea

White Riser (Retro style), 1/4 in nominal (3/16" actual) x 7 3/4 in x 42 in length. White Retro Stair Risers have a durable white laminate coating which helps to minimize scuffing and do not require painting!

Lead time is approximately 1 -3 weeks
Expected shipment date : 06/12/2026 to 06/23/2026

The White Retro Riser 42 in is WoodStairCo's most popular riser,  the essential companion to any retro stair tread renovation. Installs over your existing riser in 30–45 minutes using the same adhesive and brad nailer method as the treads. No removal, no demolition, no mess.

Pre-primed white and ready for your final coat of white paint. One coat of white semi-gloss latex over the factory primer gives you the clean, bright riser face that completes the most popular contemporary staircase design — dark or stained treads with crisp white risers.

At $17.22, this is the lowest-cost way to complete a full retro tread renovation. Order with your retro treads to save on separate shipping.

SPECS

  • Height: 7-3/4 inch | Length: 42 inches | Thickness: 1/2 inch
  • End profile: Square both ends
  • Finish: Pre-primed white — factory primer coat, paint-ready
  • Install method: Adhesive + brad nailer over existing riser — no removal needed
  • Pairs with: Any 42-inch retro stair tread

INSTALLATION NOTE

Apply Loctite PL Premium adhesive in S-curves across the back face. Press firmly over the existing riser surface. Secure with a brad nailer at 6-inch intervals. Apply one coat of white semi-gloss paint. Caulk the riser-tread joint before painting for a seamless finish. Total time: 20–30 minutes per riser.

STAIN / FINISH TIP

Use white semi-gloss or satin latex paint — semi-gloss is recommended for stairs as it is more durable and easier to wipe clean than flat or eggshell. One coat over the factory primer is usually sufficient for full coverage. Caulk the joint between the riser and tread with white paintable caulk before the final paint coat for a seamless finish line.

ColorWhite
Unit Of Measureea
Width7-3/4 in
Color CodePPWH
Length42 in
PrefinishedNo
ProfileRetro Riser
Thickness3/4 in
Wood SpeciesPaint Grade (may vary)
Quickship ItemYes
Stain ColorRed Oak - Unfinished
Your Rating
Product Questions and Answers
  1. Q:Is the price liisted an individual price or a package price? If it's a package price, how many treads and or risers come in a package?
    A:The prices on our website is a unit price and you can order as many or as few as you need with no minimum orders!
  2. Q:We have stairs that currently have carpet oh them. Will this product work after we remove the carpet?
    A:This item is used to cover the existing riser once the carpet is removed.
  3. Q:what prep work is needed for the primed riser for painting?
    A:Our new white risers can be installed as-is and have a coating on them which makes them scuff resistant but also a little more difficult to paint. If you do want to paint the riser, you will need to first prime the riser with a coating to help adhesion of latex paint. We recommend a product like "Kilz" or other brand that is designed to promote adhesion of latex paints. Alternatively, you may want to look at an oil-based paint as these typically have better adhesion rates than latex. Always test an area for adhesion and color before painting.
  4. Q:The product description states the width as 7-3/4" but the standard dimensions link with the drawings shows 7-1/4". Which is the actual height of this riser? Are you able to supply a custom height on this retro-riser?
    A:The white retro risers are 7-3/4" tall. All other risers (including the white traditional risers) are 7-1/4" tall. If you need taller risers, we can customize the width, give us a call at (866) 283-4224 with your requirements and we'll be happy to help
  5. Q:Will this riser work on a curve treads??
    A:Most likely no. It does have some flex to it but you will most likely need a pre-made curved starter riser: https://woodstairco.com/moulding-and-accessories/starting-steps.html?profile=160 These are built to fit under our starter standard tread dimensions: https://woodstairco.com/faq/standard-stair-tread-dimensions.html
  6. Q:Is there a certain saw blade or technique that you can recommend to cut these?
    A:When making crosscuts, the higher the tooth count on the blade the better. Higher tooth-count blades minimize chipping. This article has some more useful information: https://woodstairco.com/blog/cutting-stair-treads
  7. Q:Does the white retro risers need to be painted ?? or can i use them as is
    A:Our new white risers are intended to be installed as-is and have a coating on them which makes them scuff resistant but also a little more difficult to paint. If you do want to paint the riser, you will need to first prime the riser with a coating to help adhesion of latex paint. We recommend a product like "Kilz" or other brand that is designed to promote adhesion of latex paints.
  8. Q:do's this come in 3/8 thickness?
    A:Unfortunately no, the primed white retro risers are only available in one thickness (3/16"+-)
  9. Q:Is the anti-scuff laminate on one side or both sides? If it is on both sides, what is a recommended/compatible adhesive?
    A:The laminate is only on the face of the profile. The back is raw plywood
  10. Q:Can I stain this tread any color I want?
    A:Yes. Unfinished hardwood treads accept any oil-based or water-based stain. Sand lightly with 120-grit, apply chosen stain, allow to dry, then apply 2–3 coats of polyurethane. For floor matching: bring a floor sample to a paint store to identify the correct stain. We also offer a Red Oak Stain Colors Sample Pack for testing before committing to full treads.
  11. Q:Is 42 inches the most common residential stair width?
    A:42" is the most frequently ordered tread size in the US — typical for single-family homes built between the 1970s and 1990s. If you live in a standard residential home and are unsure of your stair width, 42" is a reasonable starting assumption. Always measure — but if your measurement falls between 40"–44", a 42" tread with minor trimming is usually the cleanest solution.
  12. Q:What is the difference between retro risers and traditional risers?
    A:Retro risers are designed to install over existing risers — same concept as retro treads. Traditional risers (3/4" thick) are used in new construction or when replacing the full stair assembly. Retro risers are the correct pairing for retro tread installations; traditional risers pair with traditional tread replacements.
  13. Q:What material are the iron balusters made from?
    A:WoodStairCo iron balusters are made from wrought iron — a solid, heavy-gauge metal that provides long-lasting structural strength and a traditional crafted appearance. Available in a range of profiles from plain square to ornamental designs. Standard finish options include satin black and oil-rubbed bronze. Wrought iron balusters are suitable for both contemporary and traditional staircases and carry a lifetime finish warranty under normal residential use.
  14. Q:Do I need to install risers when I install new stair treads?
    A:Not always. Open-riser staircases have no risers by design. Closed staircases already have risers that may not need replacing unless damaged. For a full retro tread installation, replacing risers at the same time gives the cleanest result — especially if existing risers are chipped, stained, or mismatched. Retro risers use the same adhesive + brad nailer method as treads.
  15. Q:Does this riser install over an existing riser or do I need to remove it first?
    A:This retro riser installs directly over your existing riser — no removal required. Apply construction adhesive to the back face, press over the existing riser, and secure with a brad nailer. The same no-demo method as retro treads
  16. Q:What paint should I use on the pre-primed white retro riser?
    A:White semi-gloss or satin latex paint. Semi-gloss is recommended for stair risers because it is more durable, scrubbable, and easier to clean than flat or eggshell. One coat over the factory primer is usually enough for full coverage.
  17. Q:Can I use this riser with any retro tread stain color?
    A:Yes — white risers pair with any tread stain. The most popular combinations are: Smoke or Dusk treads with white risers (modern/contemporary), Natural or Gunstock treads with white risers (classic), and White Oak natural treads with white risers (Scandinavian/minimal).
  18. Q:Is this the same riser as the 36-inch version just in a longer size?
    A:Yes — the White Retro Riser range uses the same pre-primed white finish and install method across all lengths (36, 42, 48, 54, 60 in). Choose the length that matches your retro tread width.
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