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Red Oak Unfinished Traditional Left Return Stair Tread 48 in

SKU
STLRUNFI-48
main product photo
-21%
Special Price $41.15 ea was $52.11 ea
Red Oak Unfinished Traditional Left Return Stair Tread 48 in
Lead time is approximately 0 -2 weeks
Expected shipment date : 06/10/2026 to 06/16/2026

Unfinished products are considered commodities and will require some degree of additional minor prep-work before they can be considered complete, or "finished". Some degree of sanding / puttying is to be expected before finishing. Alternatively, consider ordering prefinished products.

Categories: Traditional 1" Stair Treads, Left Return Traditional Treads, Oak Stair Treads, In Stock Stair Treads and Risers
UV Finish
We're one of the only stair companies utilizing a 100% solids UV-cured finish on our products. This finishing method offers the most durable finish on the market today!
Experience
We've been providing prefinished treads online to do-it-yourself, contractors, and building supply stores for over 15 years.
Complete Solutions
Besides stair treads, we can source and finish flooring, handrail, newel posts, and other wood products to make your project a complete success!
First-Grade Product
Quality is at the front of all our wood products.

Complete control over your floor match — at the most affordable price in the left return range. This unfinished Red Oak traditional left return stair tread finishes the open left side of your 48-inch staircase and accepts any stain you choose — including the exact stain on your existing floors.

At $52.11, it is the lowest-cost entry point for a left return traditional tread in Red Oak. Right for renovation projects, investment properties, and any staircase where budget matters and you are staining on-site.

SPECS:

Thickness: 1 inch (traditional — new construction or full tread replacement)

Width: 11-1/2 inch | Length: 48 inches

Return: Left end finished with wrapped nosing | Right end closed (box)

Nosing overhang: 1-1/2 inch | Coved back edge

Finish: Unfinished — accepts any oil-based or water-based stain

Species: Red Oak | Janka hardness: 1,290

Also available: 42 in ($46.80)

INSTALLATION NOTE:

Remove existing tread. Apply Loctite PL Premium adhesive across the full back. Position left return flush to open stair edge. Secure from below with screws. Stain and finish after installation or pre-finish on sawhorses before installing. Sand to 120-grit before staining — no pre-conditioner needed for Red Oak.

STAIN / FINISH TIP:

Order the Red Oak Stain Colors Sample Pack ($19.95) to test all 10 Red Oak stain colors on real wood against your floor before staining your full staircase. At $52.11 per tread, one wrong stain choice costs more than the sample pack.

ColorUnfinished
Unit Of Measureea
Width11-1/2 in
Color CodeUNFI
Length48 in
PrefinishedNo
ProfileTraditional Left Return Stair Tread
Thickness1 in
Wood SpeciesRed Oak
Quickship ItemNo
Stain ColorRed Oak - Unfinished
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Product FAQs (10)
Product Questions and Answers
  1. Q:On 1" treads with a return, how does one finish the back end of the return? It appears from the picture that it is just cut off as a stub, as opposed to the front end of the return which is mitered into the bullnose of the tread. Thanks
    A:The back of the return is smoothed over like the front bullnose and the return.

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  2. Q:Do you make retro treads to go over 9in existing pine?
    A:Yes, we do make retro treads to go over 9” existing pine treads. All of our stair treads are designed to be cut down to size on both length and depth. The only exception to this is on return treads where it is not convenient to cut the depth due to the attached return. If you have special requirements, please let us know, and we can arrange for the return treads to be made at 10.25" instead of 11.5". If you have a table saw, we advise leaving the treads deeper just in case you need the extra depth on a step or two and cutting the difference on the table saw.

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  3. Q:Can I buy locally in Houston, TXRed Oak Unfinished Traditional Right Return Stair Tread 48 in
    A:We manufacture all our products in South Carolina and only sell through our website, so we do not have any local stores or distributors but we do ship to all 50 states. To help save on shipping costs, you can see if there's a local freight terminal where you can pickup your order at: http://woodstairco.com/faq/pickup-locations.html

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  4. Q:Hello, I am going to order several parts. Do you have Oak Unfinished Traditional Left Return Stair Tread at 36 in? Thank you!
    A:The smallest return tread we make is 42" - see this link for the 42: unfinished tread: https://woodstairco.com/red-oak-unfinished-traditional-left-return-stair-tread-42-in.html

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  5. Q:What is a traditional 1-inch stair tread and when should I use it?
    A:A traditional stair tread is 1" thick — the standard for new staircase construction or full replacements where existing treads are removed. Required by most US building codes for new builds. Use when existing treads are too damaged to install over, or when building a staircase from scratch.

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  6. 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.

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  7. Q:How are traditional stair treads installed?
    A:Traditional installation requires removing the existing tread first: pry from below or cut the nosing and pull off stringers. Once removed, check stringer surface is flat and clean. New treads are installed with construction adhesive plus screws from below, or toe-nailed through the back edge. Return styles need additional care when fitting around baluster holes or open stringer ends. Carpentry-level project — many homeowners hire a stair carpenter for best results.

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  8. Q:When do I need a 48-inch stair tread?
    A:48" treads are used in wider residential staircases — common in larger custom homes, colonial-style homes, and formal entry staircases. A 48" staircase feels noticeably more generous than a 42". Also found in converted commercial spaces, wide hallways, and some split-level designs. Always measure before ordering — a 48" tread in a 42" opening needs cutting; under-ordering creates gaps.

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  9. Q:Why is Red Oak the most popular species for stair treads?
    A:Red Oak accounts for over 50% of hardwood floors in US homes built before 2015, making it the natural match for most staircase upgrades. Janka hardness 1290 — handles residential traffic for decades. Open grain accepts stain evenly for consistent color matching to existing floors.

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  10. Q:What is a left return stair tread and when do I need one?
    A:A left return has a finished, curved nosing on the left end — the left side when facing the staircase going up. Required when the left side of the staircase is open to the room (visible). Instead of an exposed raw cut end, the left return wraps the nosing for a finished appearance.

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