Stair risers are the vertical pieces of wood that are installed between each stair tread. Retro-fit or retro replacement risers are 1/4" thick and are designed to be installed over an existing riser.
We offer retro replacement risers in over 35 different species, available in prefinished, unfinished, and white...
Choosing between painted white risers and matching stain color and wood species risers can be a tough choice but we find it boils down to geographic location and design preference. In the Southeastern United States, we find the preference tends towards white risers, while in the Northeast, we find a heavy trend towards risers matching the stain and species of the stair. At Woodstairco.com, we offer stair risers in both prefinished and unfinished in 35 different species as well as white.
Unfinished risers are shipped sanded for you to finish on site with a coat of your favorite stain and top-coat after some minor sanding and prep-work.
Wood risers are a beautiful addition to any staircase and add real value to your home. Our prefinished risers are finished using the exact same methods and machinery as our stair treads for a superior finish and extended durability. By finishing the risers at the same time as the stair tread, the best possible color and sheen match is ensured. Just like our stair treads, UV absorbers are added to our prefinished risers to prolong the beauty of the finish.
When ordering risers, order the same length as the tread for the best fit.
All oaks and exotic wood species retro risers are 1/4" thick by 7-1/4" tall. White retro risers are shipped oversized (typically 7-3/4") to allow for on-site cutting and may be solid wood or veneered plywood. In some cases, we may use veneered plywood to help offset any warping or cupping issues that can be found in thin lumber stock.
Retro Stair Risers — Install Over Existing Risers, No Removal Needed
Retro (retrofit) stair risers from WoodStairCo install directly over your existing riser faces using the same construction adhesive and brad nailer method as retro treads. No removal, no demolition, no contractor required. Complete your retro tread renovation with matching or contrasting risers in the same session.
Available in preprimed white for the popular two-tone look, or prefinished Red Oak in Smoke, Butterscotch (D34), and other stain colors for a fully matched-wood staircase. All standard lengths — 36", 42", 48", 54", 60" — are in stock and ship fast.
Need traditional risers for a new build or full rebuild? See our Traditional Stair Risers — installed on the stair carriage frame rather than over existing risers.
Why Add Retro Risers to Your Renovation?
No demolition — installs over existing riser face using adhesive + brad nailer, same as retro treads
Completes the look — a staircase with new treads and old risers looks unfinished; risers tie the renovation together
Two-tone design — preprimed white risers with any stained tread is the most popular contemporary staircase design
Matched-wood option — Smoke, Butterscotch, and other prefinished colors match your retro treads exactly
Fast and easy — 20–30 minutes per riser, same tools as the tread install
In stock and ships fast — all standard sizes available with no special-order wait
Prefinished Stain Colors — Red Oak Retro Risers
All prefinished risers are factory-stained and polyurethane-coated from the same co
Retro Stair Risers — Install Over Existing Risers, No Removal Needed
Retro (retrofit) stair risers from WoodStairCo install directly over your existing riser faces using the same construction adhesive and brad nailer method as retro treads. No removal, no demolition, no contractor required. Complete your retro tread renovation with matching or contrasting risers in the same session.
Available in preprimed white for the popular two-tone look, or prefinished Red Oak in Smoke, Butterscotch (D34), and other stain colors for a fully matched-wood staircase. All standard lengths — 36", 42", 48", 54", 60" — are in stock and ship fast.
Need traditional risers for a new build or full rebuild? See our Traditional Stair Risers — installed on the stair carriage frame rather than over existing risers.
Why Add Retro Risers to Your Renovation?
No demolition — installs over existing riser face using adhesive + brad nailer, same as retro treads
Completes the look — a staircase with new treads and old risers looks unfinished; risers tie the renovation together
Two-tone design — preprimed white risers with any stained tread is the most popular contemporary staircase design
Matched-wood option — Smoke, Butterscotch, and other prefinished colors match your retro treads exactly
Fast and easy — 20–30 minutes per riser, same tools as the tread install
In stock and ships fast — all standard sizes available with no special-order wait
Prefinished Stain Colors — Red Oak Retro Risers
All prefinished risers are factory-stained and polyurethane-coated from the same color runs as the matching retro treads — order together for the most consistent match.
WHITE PRE-PRIMED vs WOOD STAINED RETRO RISERS — Comparison
White Preprimed
Prefinished Wood (Smoke, Butterscotch, etc.)
Best for
Two-tone look — dark tread + white riser
Matched-wood look — tread + riser same color
Finish required?
One coat of white semi-gloss paint
Ready to install — no finishing needed
Price range
$14.77–$24.59
$38.48–$46.75
Most popular
42 in and 36 in
Smoke 36 in and Smoke 48 in
Which Retro Riser Is Right for My Project?
The Two-Tone Look — Preprimed White Risers
Pair any retro tread stain with White Preprimed Retro Risers ($14.77–$24.59). Apply one coat of white semi-gloss paint. This is the most popular staircase renovation style in the U.S. — the contrast between dark stained treads and bright white risers defines the contemporary American interior.
Matched-Wood Look — Prefinished Color Risers
For a monochromatic, furniture-grade result, use prefinished Smoke or Butterscotch risers that match your retro treads. Red Oak Smoke Retro Risers and Butterscotch (D34) Retro Risers are produced from the same color run as matching treads — order together for the most consistent result.
Budget Complete Renovation
At $14.77–$17.22 per white riser, adding risers to a retro tread renovation adds only $192–$224 in materials for a 13-step staircase. This single addition transforms a tread-only renovation into a complete, professional staircase makeover.
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