A box stair tread is a tread with a wall on both sides of the staircase and thus has no mitered returns. This is by far, the most common style stair tread and the traditional style means that the existing "sub-tread" will have to be removed before installing new stair treads.
Hint:Use the box on the left to narrow your selection by wood species, length, and color
The tradtional stair tread style means that these treads are meant to replace your existing stair treads before installing new ones. This will require the removal of the existing stair tread.
Prefinished Traditional stair treads offer you the ability to install beautiful solid hardwood on each of your steps without the traditional mess and expense associated with site-finished stair treads. Remove existing stair tread then trim each tread to fit and you're ready to install; and because our traditional treads come prefinished, no messy stain or polyurethane is needed.
We also offer our traditional stair treads unfinished - meaning that there is no stain or finish on the stair treads. Use unfinished treads to apply your own stain and polyurethane on site - some degree of sanding and minor prep-work should be expected.
Solid traditional stair treads are 1" thick and 11 1/2" deep. The "closed" style means that this tread has no mitered returns. Sometimes this is also referred to as abox tread.
Our solid stair treads are guaranteed to never separate between the wood staves and are available in many different species.
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Traditional Stair Treads — New Construction & Full Replacement | Closed (Box) End
Building a new staircase from scratch or replacing existing treads completely? Traditional 1-inch hardwood stair treads from WoodStairCo are the professional-grade choice for new construction and full stair rebuilds. At 1 inch thick, they meet standard US residential building code requirements and deliver the structural feel of a properly built staircase — in Red Oak, White Oak, Hickory, Maple, Walnut, and more.
Closed (box) end treads are used when both sides of the staircase meet a wall or stringer — the ends are hidden. For open-sided staircases, see our Traditional Left Return and Traditional Right Return treads.
Why Choose Traditional 1-Inch Stair Treads?
New construction standard — 1 inch thick meets residential code for new staircase builds
Structural replacement — correct when existing treads are cracked or need full removal
Species selection — Red Oak, White Oak, Hickory, Maple, Walnut, Poplar, Pine
Finish options — unfinished for custom staining, or prefinished in 10+ stain colors
All standard sizes — 36", 42", 48", 54", 60", 72", 84", 96"
In stock, ships fast — no special order wait on standard sizes
Traditional vs Retro — Which Stair Tread Do You Need?
If your existing treads are structurally damaged, fully carpeted, or you are building from scratch — choose traditional. If your treads are str
Traditional Stair Treads — New Construction & Full Replacement | Closed (Box) End
Building a new staircase from scratch or replacing existing treads completely? Traditional 1-inch hardwood stair treads from WoodStairCo are the professional-grade choice for new construction and full stair rebuilds. At 1 inch thick, they meet standard US residential building code requirements and deliver the structural feel of a properly built staircase — in Red Oak, White Oak, Hickory, Maple, Walnut, and more.
Closed (box) end treads are used when both sides of the staircase meet a wall or stringer — the ends are hidden. For open-sided staircases, see our Traditional Left Return and Traditional Right Return treads.
Why Choose Traditional 1-Inch Stair Treads?
New construction standard — 1 inch thick meets residential code for new staircase builds
Structural replacement — correct when existing treads are cracked or need full removal
Species selection — Red Oak, White Oak, Hickory, Maple, Walnut, Poplar, Pine
Finish options — unfinished for custom staining, or prefinished in 10+ stain colors
All standard sizes — 36", 42", 48", 54", 60", 72", 84", 96"
In stock, ships fast — no special order wait on standard sizes
Traditional vs Retro — Which Stair Tread Do You Need?
If your existing treads are structurally damaged, fully carpeted, or you are building from scratch — choose traditional. If your treads are structurally sound and you want an upgrade without demolition — see our Retro Stair Treads.
Factor
Traditional (1 inch)
Retro/Retrofit (3/4 inch)
Best for
New construction or full tread removal
Remodel — installs OVER existing treads
Existing tread
Must be removed first
Leave in place — cover it
Install time
60–90 min per tread (carpentry skill needed)
30–45 min per tread — DIY friendly
Thickness
1 inch (code compliant for new builds)
3/4 inch (retrofit over existing)
Price range
$27–$175 per tread
$29–$157 per tread
White Oak vs Red Oak Traditional Stair Treads
White Oak Unfinished Traditional Treads — Modern Homes
White Oak has become the #1 hardwood flooring choice in new US construction since 2018. Its tighter grain accepts grey, greige, and natural finishes without blotching — the finishes that define contemporary and transitional interiors. Janka hardness: 1,360. Available in 36", 42", 48", and 54" in closed (box) end. Shop White Oak Unfinished Traditional Treads.
Red Oak Traditional Treads — Classic American Homes
Red Oak is the most common domestic hardwood species in the US — the default flooring choice for decades. Available in unfinished ($27.87+) and prefinished in Gunstock, Butterscotch, Natural Clear, Smoke, and more. Janka hardness: 1,290. Matches the majority of existing US hardwood floors. Shop Red Oak Unfinished Traditional Treads or Shop Red Oak Gunstock Prefinished.
Do You Need a Return End Tread?
If one or both sides of your staircase are open to the room, you need a return tread — not a closed (box) end tread. Return treads have a finished, wrapped nosing on the exposed side so no raw end grain is visible from the room.
Both sides open: contact WoodStairCo for double return options
Tip: On a straight staircase, the open side is usually the side visible from the main room or hallway. Stand at the bottom of the staircase and look up — the open side is the one without a wall.
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