Woodstairco.com is your source for finished wood stair treads, risers, and stair parts.
About Us
Order Policies
Let Us Help You
USD
Search
 Contact Us: (866) 283-4224
Menu
Search
Home
My Cart
Me

White Oak Unfinished Retro Stair Tread Closed 42 in

SKU
RTCEUNFI-42
main product photo
$59.44 ea
White Oak Unfinished Retro Stair Tread Closed 42 in
Lead time is approximately 5 -6 weeks
Expected shipment date : 07/10/2026 to 07/14/2026

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.

Categories: Retro Stair Treads, Closed (Box) Retro Treads, White Oak Stair Treads
UV Finish
We're one of the only stair companies utilizing a 100% solids UV-cured finish on our products. This finishing method offers the most durable finish on the market today!
Experience
We've been providing prefinished treads online to do-it-yourself, contractors, and building supply stores for over 15 years.
Complete Solutions
Besides stair treads, we can source and finish flooring, handrail, newel posts, and other wood products to make your project a complete success!
First-Grade Product
Quality is at the front of all our wood products.

White Oak is the dominant hardwood of contemporary American home design- and this 42-inch unfinished retro tread puts its tight, uniform grain and grey-green undertones to work on your staircase. Install over your existing step in 30–45 minutes. Finish on-site to match any White Oak floor precisely.

If your home has White Oak flooring- or you are building a new contemporary or transitional interior- White Oak unfinished treads give you the exact-match flexibility that no prefinished product can deliver. Wire-brush for texture, apply a natural oil finish, or stain dark- White Oak handles all of it.

SPECS

• Thickness: 3/4 inch (retro- installs over existing tread)

• Width: 11-1/2 inch | Length: 42 inches

• Nosing: 1-1/2 inch | Closed (box) end

• Finish: Unfinished- sand and finish on-site

• Species: White Oak | Janka: 1,360

INSTALLATION NOTE

Sand to 120-grit. Apply stain or finish of choice. Cure fully (min. 48 hours). Apply Loctite PL Premium adhesive + brad nailer. Allow 24 hours before foot traffic.

STAIN / FINISH TIP

White Oak accepts grey, natural, dark espresso, cerused/wire-brushed, and fumed finishes better than any other domestic hardwood. Order our White Oak Stain Colors Sample Pack ($19.95) to test all colours on real White Oak wood before buying treads.

ColorUnfinished
Unit Of Measureea
Width11-1/2 in
Color CodeWHOK
Length42 in
PrefinishedNo
ProfileRetro Stair Tread Closed
Thickness3/4 in
Wood SpeciesWhite Oak
Quickship ItemNo
Stain ColorRed Oak - Unfinished
Reviews
Your Rating
Product FAQs (9)
Product Questions and Answers
  1. Q:Do you have this product in a finished stain such as gunstock? If yes, how much it will cost me?
    A:Yes, we have treads prefinished in a Gunstock stain on Red Oak. Here is the link to that product: http://woodstairco.com/red-oak-gunstock-retro-stair-tread-closed-42-in.html If you'd like the same stain on White Oak, we can do it but please contact us directly for custom quotes on material.

    Josh McGrath

    0
    Report Abuse
    Read other answers
  2. Q:If I send a sample of flooring, can you you match the color and stain stair threads?
    A:We can do custom stain matching. We can email or fax over a form that you send in with your sample and once we make a stain, we will apply it to a sample and send it back to you, to assure that the stain is perfect. It is a flat fee of $150.00 for the custom stain.

    Josh McGrath

    0
    Report Abuse
    Read other answers
  3. Q:How strong it the front edge of the stair tread? Will it break off - such as during a house move and a moving dolly carring a heavy load being pulled up the stairs of being lowered down the stairs?
    A:These treads are solid oak and, provided they are installed securely, should not have any trouble handling everyday traffic including moving dollies and furniture up and down the stairs. Being wood, they do have limitations and if you were to suddenly drop a very heavy object from a high distance on the very edge of the tread, you could possibly split the wood. The circumstances would have to be just right and we haven't heard of any issues where the treads have broken after installation. In all, we don't feel the possibility of breaking from moving in or out of a home is enough to cause any concern - even if there is heavy furniture involved.

    Josh McGrath

    0
    Report Abuse
    Read other answers
  4. Q:Why is White Oak the premium choice for modern staircase designs?
    A:White Oak has become the dominant hardwood flooring choice in new construction since 2018, driven by the popularity of wire-brushed and greige finishes. WoodStairCo unfinished White Oak treads are milled from the same species as premium flooring, making stain matching precise and predictable.

    0
    Report Abuse
    Read other answers
  5. 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.

    0
    Report Abuse
    Read other answers
  6. 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

    0
    Report Abuse
    Read other answers
  7. 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.

    0
    Report Abuse
    Read other answers
  8. Q:What is a retro stair tread and how does it differ from a traditional tread?
    A:A retro (retrofit) stair tread is 3/4" thick and installs directly OVER your existing tread — no removal required. The flat bottom sits flush over the current step. Traditional treads are 1" thick and used in new construction or full replacements where existing treads are removed. If your staircase structure is sound, retro treads are faster, less invasive, and DIY-friendly.

    Josh McGrath

    0
    Report Abuse
    Read other answers
  9. Q:What is the step-by-step process for installing a retro stair tread?
    A:Step 1: Measure existing tread width and trim retro tread to fit (1/16" gap each end). Step 2: Clean existing tread surface — remove staples, wax, debris. Step 3: Apply Loctite PL Premium adhesive in S-curves across entire back of tread. Step 4: Press firmly onto existing tread and nail with brad nailer at 6" intervals along front nosing and back edge. Step 5: Wipe excess adhesive. Allow 24 hours before walking on. Time per tread: 30–45 minutes.

    Josh McGrath

    0
    Report Abuse
    Read other answers
Post your question: White Oak Unfinished Retro Stair Tread Closed 42 in
Additional Items you may need
  1. White Oak Unfinished Traditional Risers - 3/4" x 7-1/4"
    White Oak Unfinished Traditional Risers - 3/4" x 7-1/4"
    As low as $36.98 ea
  2. White Oak Unfinished Retro Stair Treads - 3/4" x 11-1/2" (1" Nose)
    White Oak Unfinished Retro Stair Treads - 3/4" x 11-1/2" (1" Nose)
    As low as $58.22 ea
  3. White Oak Unfinished Landing Tread - 3/4" x 5-1/4"
    White Oak Unfinished Landing Tread - 3/4" x 5-1/4"
    As low as $35.53 ea