A left return stair tread is a stair tread with a wall on the right side of the staircase and the left side is exposed when viewed from the side. Left return stair treads have a mitered return attached to theleftside of the stair tread. The Traditional style means that this stair tread is designed to replace an existing tread, so the preexisting tread will have to be removed before installation
Prefinished and unfinished solid stair treads offer you the ability to install beautiful solid hardwood on each of your steps. Simply open the box, trim the right edge of this stair tread to fit , remove existing stair tread and you're ready to install; no messy stain or polyurethane is needed for prefinished 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.
Wooden treads in a staircase can completely change the look and feel of a home. Most commonly, the choice of stair tread depends on the flooring installed. Whether you are going for a stair tread that matches your flooring or for a complete contrast to your flooring color can depend on your style and design preferences. In traditional installations, the stair treads create a warm and inviting feel to your home.
Every stair tread we sell is made and finished domestically. Granted, it may be less expensive to import stair treads, but we enjoy the quality control and ability to customize each and every order just for you.
Left Return stair treads are a full inch thick on the bullnose and 3/4" thick along the tread body and are 11 1/4" deep. TheLeft Returnstyle means that this stair tread has one mitered return along the left edge. Remember that "left" is relative but is always determined as youascendthe staircase. Sometimes this style of stair tread can be referred to as aleft hand open stair treadorleft mitered return stair tread. A quick and easy test is to determine if there is or will be a wall onthe right sideyour new staircase and is or will the left side of the staircase will be visible from the ground level once installed? Do or will your balusters directly intersect your new stair tread? If the answer is "yes", these left return stair treads are for you. If the right end is exposed, you may want to consider a "right mitered return". If both ends are against a wall or kneewall, you need a "closed" or "box" style stair tread. Left return stair treads will typically have balusters that directly intersect the tread as well.
Not only do we offer left return stair treads at the some of the most competitive prices on the internet, we stand behind each and every stair tread with our lifetime structural warranty.
Our solid left return stair treads are guaranteed to never separate between the wood staves and are offered in over 23 different species.
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Traditional Left Return Stair Treads — For Open-Side Staircases
If the left side of your staircase is open to the room — visible from a hallway, living area, or foyer — you need a left return tread, not a standard closed (box) tread. A left return tread has a finished, rounded nosing on the left end so no raw end grain is exposed from the room. WoodStairCo traditional left return treads are 1 inch thick, built for new staircase construction and full tread replacement, and available in Red Oak and White Oak — prefinished in Natural Clear, Gunstock, Saddle, and more, or unfinished for a custom stain match.
Not sure if you need left or right return? Stand at the bottom of your staircase and look up. If the open side — the side with no wall — is on your left, you need a left return tread. If it is on your right, see our Traditional Right Return Stair Treads (https://www.woodstairco.com/white-oak-unfinished-traditional-right-return-stair-tread-54-in.html).
Do I Need a Left Return or a Closed (Box) Tread?
Use this to decide before ordering:
Both sides of your staircase meet a wall → order Closed (Box) End Treads (https://www.woodstairco.com/white-oak-unfinished-traditional-stair-tread-closed-42-in.html)
Left side is open to the room → order Left Return Treads (this page)
Right side is open to the room → order Right Return Treads (https://www.woodstairco.com/white-oak-unfinished-traditional-right-return-stair-tread-54-in.html)
Both sides open to the room → contact WoodStairCo for double return options
The open side is the side you can see the end of the tread from. On a closed (box) tread, both ends are hidden. On a left return tread, the left end has a finished, wrapped nosing — no raw wood visible from the room. Getting this wrong means returning the tread. Take 30 seconds to confirm before ordering.
What Is a Left Return Tread?
A left return stair tread has a rounded, finished nosing on the left end of the tread —
Traditional Left Return Stair Treads — For Open-Side Staircases
If the left side of your staircase is open to the room — visible from a hallway, living area, or foyer — you need a left return tread, not a standard closed (box) tread. A left return tread has a finished, rounded nosing on the left end so no raw end grain is exposed from the room. WoodStairCo traditional left return treads are 1 inch thick, built for new staircase construction and full tread replacement, and available in Red Oak and White Oak — prefinished in Natural Clear, Gunstock, Saddle, and more, or unfinished for a custom stain match.
Not sure if you need left or right return? Stand at the bottom of your staircase and look up. If the open side — the side with no wall — is on your left, you need a left return tread. If it is on your right, see our Traditional Right Return Stair Treads (https://www.woodstairco.com/white-oak-unfinished-traditional-right-return-stair-tread-54-in.html).
Do I Need a Left Return or a Closed (Box) Tread?
Use this to decide before ordering:
Both sides of your staircase meet a wall → order Closed (Box) End Treads (https://www.woodstairco.com/white-oak-unfinished-traditional-stair-tread-closed-42-in.html)
Left side is open to the room → order Left Return Treads (this page)
Right side is open to the room → order Right Return Treads (https://www.woodstairco.com/white-oak-unfinished-traditional-right-return-stair-tread-54-in.html)
Both sides open to the room → contact WoodStairCo for double return options
The open side is the side you can see the end of the tread from. On a closed (box) tread, both ends are hidden. On a left return tread, the left end has a finished, wrapped nosing — no raw wood visible from the room. Getting this wrong means returning the tread. Take 30 seconds to confirm before ordering.
What Is a Left Return Tread?
A left return stair tread has a rounded, finished nosing on the left end of the tread — the same nosing profile as the front edge (the part you step on), wrapped around the left side. This gives the exposed end a clean, furniture-quality finish instead of raw end grain.
Left return treads are 1 inch thick — the same structural thickness as all traditional treads at WoodStairCo. They are used in new construction and full tread replacement where the existing tread is fully removed first.
If your staircase has a second open side (both sides visible from the room), you need a double return tread. Contact WoodStairCo directly for double return options.
Prefinished vs Unfinished Left Return Treads
Prefinished left return treads — Natural Clear, Gunstock, Saddle — arrive factory-stained and polyurethane-sealed. Remove the old tread, install the new one, done. No finishing work, no drying time, no staining on-site.
Unfinished left return treads arrive raw. You control the final stain color — sand lightly, apply your chosen stain, seal with 3 coats of polyurethane. The right choice when you need a precise floor color match that does not exist in a prefinished option.
Not sure which stain matches your floors? Order the Red Oak Stain Colors Sample Pack ($19.95) at https://www.woodstairco.com/moulding-and-accessories-wood-samples-red-oak-stain-colors-sample-pack.html — test all colors on real wood before buying.
Available Species — Red Oak and White Oak
Red Oak Left Return Treads: The standard choice for traditional American homes. Open grain stains evenly in any color. Warm amber tones. Janka hardness 1,290. Available prefinished in Natural Clear, Gunstock, Saddle, and unfinished for custom staining.
White Oak Left Return Treads: The premium choice for modern and contemporary homes. Tighter grain, cooler natural tone, better response to grey and greige finishes. Janka hardness 1,360. Available unfinished for full color control. Matches new-construction White Oak flooring installed from 2018 onward.
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