Stair risers are the vertical pieces of wood that are installed between each stair tread. Traditional or standard risers are 3/4" thick and are designed to be installed directly on the stringer (essentially as a standalone application with the traditional stair treads.)
We offer risers in over 35 different species, available in prefinished, unfinished, and primed 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. 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 pre-primed and ready for painting.
Unfinished species risers are shipped sanded for you to apply a coat of your favorite stain and finish with some minor 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, our durable UV finish is applied to prefinished risers to prolong life of the product.
When ordering risers, order the same length as the tread for the best fit.
Traditional risers are 3/4" thick by 7 1/4" high and generally solid wood. Primed white risers may be solid wood or Birch or Poplar veneered plywood in some cases. We may use veneered plywood to help offset any warping or cupping issues that can be found in certain lumber stock or to create a more uniform and consistent paintable surface.
Traditional Stair Risers- Complete Your Staircase With a Matched Finish
Traditional stair risers from WoodStairCo are the vertical face boards between each stair tread- the finishing detail that separates a professional-grade staircase from an unfinished one. Available in matched Red Oak and White Oak to pair with your treads, or in pre-primed white for the most popular two-tone tread-and-riser design.
Available prefinished in 10+ stain colors or unfinished for a custom on-site finish. All standard lengths- 36", 42", 48", 54", and 60"- are in stock and ready to ship.
These are traditional risers (3/4 inch, for full stair builds and replacements). If you are renovating over existing risers, see our Retro Risers- they install over existing risers with no removal required.
Why Add Matching Risers to Your Staircase?
Professional finish- risers close off the open vertical face between treads for a complete, polished result
Color consistency- matched wood risers and treads create a unified staircase- mismatched risers look unfinished
Two-tone design- pre-primed white risers with dark or stained treads is the most popular contemporary staircase look
Structural benefit- risers add stiffness and reduce tread flex and noise on an open-stringer staircase
Prefinished or unfinished- match any tread color or finish with the same product.
All standard sizes in stock- 36", 42", 48", 54", 60" available with no special-order wait.
Prefinished Stain Colors- Red Oak Traditional Risers
All
Traditional Stair Risers- Complete Your Staircase With a Matched Finish
Traditional stair risers from WoodStairCo are the vertical face boards between each stair tread- the finishing detail that separates a professional-grade staircase from an unfinished one. Available in matched Red Oak and White Oak to pair with your treads, or in pre-primed white for the most popular two-tone tread-and-riser design.
Available prefinished in 10+ stain colors or unfinished for a custom on-site finish. All standard lengths- 36", 42", 48", 54", and 60"- are in stock and ready to ship.
These are traditional risers (3/4 inch, for full stair builds and replacements). If you are renovating over existing risers, see our Retro Risers- they install over existing risers with no removal required.
Why Add Matching Risers to Your Staircase?
Professional finish- risers close off the open vertical face between treads for a complete, polished result
Color consistency- matched wood risers and treads create a unified staircase- mismatched risers look unfinished
Two-tone design- pre-primed white risers with dark or stained treads is the most popular contemporary staircase look
Structural benefit- risers add stiffness and reduce tread flex and noise on an open-stringer staircase
Prefinished or unfinished- match any tread color or finish with the same product.
All standard sizes in stock- 36", 42", 48", 54", 60" available with no special-order wait.
Prefinished Stain Colors- Red Oak Traditional Risers
All prefinished risers are factory-stained and -polyurethane-coated ready to install. Same color runs as matching treads for consistent results.
WOOD RISER vs PRE-PRIMED WHITE RISER- Comparison Table
Wood Riser (Red Oak / White Oak)
Pre-Primed White Riser
Best for
Matched-wood look- riser and tread same species + stain
Two-tone look- dark treads with white risers
Finish required?
Yes- stain + polyurethane on-site (unfinished) or none (prefinished)
Paint coat only- factory primer included
Price range
$15.41–$58.96
$24.12–$40.20
Most popular choice
Gunstock, Saddle, White Oak Unfinished
42 in and 48 in
Which Riser Is Right for My Project?
Full Staircase Rebuild- Matched Wood Risers
When rebuilding a staircase from scratch, order risers in the same species and stain as your treads. WoodStairCo prefinished risers and treads are produced from the same color runs- order both together for the most consistent matched result.
Contemporary Two-Tone Design- Pre-Primed White Risers
The most requested staircase design in US home renovation- any stained tread color with bright white risers. Pair any tread with Pre-Primed White Traditional Risers ($24.12–$40.20). Apply one coat of white semi-gloss paint. The contrast between dark wood treads and white risers is the defining look of contemporary American staircases.
Unfinished- Custom Color Match
For an exact match to existing floors or a custom stain color, choose unfinished Red Oak or White Oak risers. Apply the same stain product as your treads- the Red Oak Stain Colors Sample Pack ($19.95) — to test all 10 colors on real wood before buying.
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