A wood staircase is an excellent compliment to a beautiful hardwood floor. InternetLumber offers a full line of stair parts to match your hardwood floors.
When ordering stair parts there are a few keys components and some terminology that is used to communicate the specifications of the project.
The first component is the Stair Tread, the treads are the horizontal surfaces that you stand on while on the staircase. The stair treads usually are made to match the species of flooring. Standard tread configuration is 11-3/4" deep and 1" thick. Stair treads are bullnosed and are available in lengths from 36" and up in 6" increments. Treads are ready to be installed, sanded, and finished onsite.
Stair Treads are available in four styles, standard no return treads are used when the ends of the stair tread are enclosed by the sides of the staircase. Single return stair treads are used where one end of the tread is open to the room below, these are sold as left return or right return treads and the 'handing' of the tread is determined by which end is exposed as you look up the staircase. Double return stair treads are used where both ends of the stair tread are exposed. Finally, double bullnosed return stair treads or starting steps are used at the bottom step to start the staircase.
The next component of the staircase is the Stair Riser, risers sit on top of the tread beneath and are topped with the next stair tread. Stair Risers are 3/4" thick and 7-1/4" tall and sold in the same dimensions as the stair treads. Risers can either match the treads and flooring or can be painted (usually gloss white to match the trim) in this case a paint grade poplar is used.
Scocia or Cove moulding is often used under the tread to ease the gap between the riser and the tread this material is always made to match the stair tread species.
Finally skirt boards are used on open stair cases and follow the overall rise of the staircase, they are selected to match the rest of the millwork in the home and are usually paint grade poplar. These custom made products are typically 3/4" x 7-1/4" but can be made wider as needed to match the style requirements of the home.