Red Oak Unfinished Traditional Stair Tread Closed 42 in

SKU
STCRUNFI-42
Special Price $26.74 ea was $28.98 ea
Red Oak Unfinished Traditional Stair Tread Closed 42 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.

Red Oak Unfinished Stair Treads - Standard Box Tread - 1" x 11 1/2" x 42"

Our stain grade Red Oak stair treads are made from 100% solid FAS and Select Grade Red Oak (no thin veneers or finger-joints). Use unfinished treads to apply your own stain and polyurethane on site - some degree of sanding and minor prep-work should be expected.

All our box treads (for a "closed-type" staircase) have a full round over bullnose along the front edge and are edge-glued for stability throughout the tread's lifetime. If you need a Red Oak tread with a return, see left return Red Oak treads or right return Red Oak treads. Unfinished Red Oak stair treads require finishing to be done on site; we also offer we also offer prefinished Red Oak treads with our UV top coat applied. Traditional Red Oak stair treads are 1" thick x 11.5" wide x 42" long. These treads are sometimes identified by their part number - 8070 Red Oak Plain Stair Tread.

We manufacture these treads to order (right here in South Carolina - 100% Made in the USA) and complete most orders within a week, but this tread length is a hot mover and is typically in stock. If you have a deadline - please contact us and we'll prioritize your order.

Order in larger quantities for a better price per tread and to save on shipping costs. We've set price breaks at certain quantities (noted above), all you have to do is add at least that number to you shopping cart and the price will be automatically reduced.

Whether you're a homeowner looking for an economical choice in a quality Red Oak tread or a contractor looking to stock up on a great buy, grab these treads while we're offing these price breaks because pricing is subject to change at any time. These Red Oak treads are intended for interior use only.

For other quantity discounts on Red Oak stair treads, see these sizes:

ColorUnfinished
Unit Of Measureea
Width11-1/2 in
Color CodeUNFI
Length42 in
PrefinishedNo
ProfileTraditional Stair Tread Closed
Thickness1 in
Wood SpeciesRed Oak
Quickship ItemNo
Your Rating
Product Questions and Answers
  1. Q:are these treads 100% oak, or do they have an mdf or particle core. The reason I'm asking is that I have an applicaton where the left side may be exposed, and rather than buing a left return, I may opt to leave the left side showing. thanks
    A:They are 100% oak.
  2. Q:I am interested in 2" treads in red oak 42" long. Can your company provide these
    A:Hi there Mr. Mason, my name is Amanda and I will be glad to help you get your treads. I'll send an email over to you shortly so that we can discuss the materials you need in more detail.
  3. Q:when installing, do u put smooth or rough side up?
    A:We sand one face of the tread on unfinished products so that side will generally be smoother and take stain better. We recommend installing that side up.
  4. Q:I have an old building where the stairs are more narrow than standard. I will need around 28 treads mostly with a right return. My question is can I get these in unfinished red oak but in a length other than 42". My treads actually measure 34.5". It seems wasteful to require removing 10" from the tread. Thanks Barry Cooper
    A:We do have a 36” wide tread here: https://woodstairco.com/red-oak-unfinished-traditional-stair-tread-closed-36-in.html But the smallest single return tread available is 42”. Typically, the treads in a staircase with returns are 4-6” wider than the box treads in the same staircase.
  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.
  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.
  7. Q:What does closed or box end mean on a stair tread?
    A:Closed (box) end means both sides of the tread are cut square with no decorative return nosing — it fits wall to wall with both ends hidden. The correct style when neither end of your staircase is open to the room. Most widely available in all species, sizes, and finishes
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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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