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Red Oak Unfinished Traditional Riser 36 in

SKU
RIZRUNFI-36
main product photo
-8%
Special Price $16.56 ea was $17.92 ea
Red Oak Unfinished Traditional Riser 36 in
Lead time is approximately 0 -2 weeks
Expected shipment date : 07/23/2026 to 07/29/2026

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 3/4" Riser, Wood Stair 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.

The most affordable traditional riser WoodStairCo offers- this 36-inch Red Oak Unfinished riser is the value choice for narrow staircases in townhomes, condos, basement stairs, and older homes. At $15.41, it is the lowest cost path to a matched-wood staircase.

Unfinished Red Oak accepts any stain- apply the same product as your treads for a consistent look across the full staircase. Red Oak's open grain absorbs stain evenly for a throughout, optional result even on a first-time DIY project.

SPECS

  • Width- 3/4 inch | Height- 7-3/4 inch | Length- 36 inches
  • End profile- Square both ends
  • Finish- Unfinished- sand and finish on-site
  • Species- Red Oak | Janka hardness- 1,290

 

INSTALLATION NOTE

Finish before installation. Sand to 120-grit. Stain and apply 2 coats polyurethane. Allow 48 hours cure. Apply Loctite PL Premium adhesive + brad nailer. Caulk riser-tread joint.

FINISH TIP

Order our Red Oak Stain Colors Sample Pack ($19.95) to test stain colours on real Red Oak before buying your full riser set. Apply the same stain as your treads for a seamless match across the full staircase.

ColorUnfinished
Unit Of Measureea
Width7-1/4 in
Color CodeUNFI
Length36 in
PrefinishedNo
ProfileTraditional Riser
Thickness3/4 in
Wood SpeciesRed Oak
Quickship ItemNo
Stain ColorRed Oak - Unfinished
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Product FAQs (10)
Product Questions and Answers
  1. Q:I need a 3/4" thick, 7.46" high by 36" long riser. Will this product work for me?
    A:These risers are 3/4" thick x 7 1/4" high x 36" long so they may be about 1/2" shorter than what you need but the difference in height can usually be adjusted during installation. We may need to custom make taller risers for you if you need the full 7 1/2".

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  2. 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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  3. 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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  4. Q:Is 36 inches a standard stair tread width?
    A:36" is the standard minimum width for townhomes, condos, basement staircases, and older homes. Most US residential building codes require a minimum 36" clear stair width. If measuring a tight staircase — townhouse, older colonial, or basement — 36" treads will typically fit. Always measure wall to wall before ordering.

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  5. 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.

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  6. 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.

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  7. Q:What is the total cost to riser a 13-step narrow staircase with unfinished Red Oak?
    A:13 × $15.41 = $200.33 in riser materials. Pair with Red Oak Unfinished Traditional Closed treads at $27.87 each (13 × $27.87 = $362.31) for a full staircase material cost of approximately $563- the lowest-cost traditional staircase option at WoodStairCo.

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  8. Q:Can I trim the 36-inch riser to a narrower width?
    A:Yes- risers can be trimmed in length with a miter saw. If your stair opening is slightly less than 36 inches, trim equal amounts from each end for a symmetrical fit.

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  9. Q:Is the Red Oak Unfinished riser the same species as the unfinished treads?
    A:Yes- both are Red Oak. Finishing them with the same stain and polyurethane product ensures a consistent color and grain character throughout the staircase.

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  10. Q:When should I choose unfinished over prefinished risers?
    A:Choose unfinished when you want to match a specific stain color exactly, when you want the lowest cost, or when you are staining everything on-site as part of a custom build. Choose prefinished when you want speed and convenience, and are happy with one of the 10 available factory-stain colors.

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