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White Oak Unfinished Traditional Left Return Stair Tread 42 in

SKU
STLEUNFI-42
main product photo
-8%
Special Price $58.48 ea was $63.39 ea
White Oak Unfinished Traditional Left Return Stair Tread 42 in
Lead time is approximately 0 -2 weeks
Expected shipment date : 07/23/2026 to 07/29/2026

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: Traditional 1" Stair Treads, Left Return Traditional Treads, White Oak Stair Treads, In Stock Stair Treads and Risers
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.

The modern open-staircase tread — in the standard residential width. This unfinished White Oak traditional left return stair tread finishes the open left end of your 42-inch staircase with a clean wrapped nosing and gives you full stain control to match contemporary White Oak flooring in any finish.

42 inches is the most common stair width in US single-family homes. White Oak is the species of choice for any home with modern, contemporary, or transitional design where the flooring is grey, greige, natural, or hardwax oil finished. Prefinished versions are not available in this size — unfinished gives you the custom control needed for contemporary stain matching.

SPECS:

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

Return: Left end finished with wrapped nosing | Right end closed (box)

Nosing: 1-1/2 inch | Coved back edge

Finish: Unfinished | Species: White Oak | Janka: 1,360

Also available: 48 in ($97.89)

INSTALLATION NOTE:

Remove existing tread. Loctite PL Premium adhesive + screws from below. Position left return flush to open stair edge before adhesive sets. Pre-finish before installation for easiest grey/greige stain application.

STAIN / FINISH TIP:

White Oak Stain Colors Sample Pack ($19.95) available to preview all finish options on real White Oak wood. For grey, greige, and natural tones — water-based stains produce cleaner results on White Oak than oil-based.

ColorUnfinished
Unit Of Measureea
Width11-1/2 in
Color CodeWHOK
Length42 in
PrefinishedNo
ProfileTraditional Left Return Stair Tread
Thickness1 in
Wood SpeciesWhite Oak
Quickship ItemNo
Stain ColorWhite Oak - Natural (Prefinished Clear) [E4428]
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Product FAQs (6)
Product Questions and Answers
  1. Q:What is a traditional 1-inch stair tread and when should I use it?
    A:A traditional stair tread is 1" thick — the standard for new staircase construction or full replacements where existing treads are removed. Required by most US building codes for new builds. Use when existing treads are too damaged to install over, or when building a staircase from scratch.

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  2. 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.

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  3. 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.

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  4. 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.

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  5. Q:How are traditional stair treads installed?
    A:Traditional installation requires removing the existing tread first: pry from below or cut the nosing and pull off stringers. Once removed, check stringer surface is flat and clean. New treads are installed with construction adhesive plus screws from below, or toe-nailed through the back edge. Return styles need additional care when fitting around baluster holes or open stringer ends. Carpentry-level project — many homeowners hire a stair carpenter for best results.

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  6. Q:What is a left return stair tread and when do I need one?
    A:A left return has a finished, curved nosing on the left end — the left side when facing the staircase going up. Required when the left side of the staircase is open to the room (visible). Instead of an exposed raw cut end, the left return wraps the nosing for a finished appearance.

    Josh McGrath

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