Stringers are a must to install on a staircase as they provide the support for treads and risers. If the flight of stairs doesn’t have sturdy stringers, your staircase may become vulnerable. Since you wouldn’t want that, we suggest you understand the importance of having stringers installed as soon as possible.
Ideally, the staircase should have two sets of stringers, each placed on either side of the stairs. However, if the staircase is designed to have one side connected to the wall, the stairs should have a wall stringer. Regardless of the staircase’s design, stringers are undoubtedly crucial for support and safety.
This article will explore the different kinds of stringers and the best wood to make them.
Different Types of Stringers
If you look closely, your staircase must already have stringers. You should know that stringers come in different types, with each class serving various purposes. Regardless of the style, the stringer you install against your staircase will undoubtedly be beneficial. It would be best to look into all the types to understand which one you should have installed.
Cut Stringers
Cut stringers are made to display the side profile of each step separately. They are designed to showcase the stairs without blocking any step. Also, cut stringers have specific cuts carved into them out of which the treads and risers come out. Typically, the lengths of these stringers start from 1m for three steps and 1.6m for five steps. People who want a stylish staircase often go for cut stringers.
Closed Stringers
As the name suggests, closed stringers are the exact opposite of cut stringers, hiding the steps’ edges from view. Closed stringers are less expensive than cut stringers as the latter are constructed more specifically. However, closed stringers do the job of providing support to your staircase excellently, so you don’t have to worry about their practicality. The best part is you won’t have to spend so much on closed stringers.
Routed Stringers
Another type of stringer different than cut and closed stringers is routed stringers. These have a particular shape that has notches incorporated into them. The staircase treads are then inserted into these notches to provide support. Routed stringers are also called box stringers, as they’re hollowed out to add notches. A benefit of routed stringers is that the staircase becomes easy to install.
Best Wood for Staircase Stringers
If you’re looking to install stringers into your staircase, you should know they must be made from the best quality wood. The stronger the wood, the more support your staircase will have. No matter the style of stringers you go with, please ensure you don’t compromise the quality. Since we want to help narrow your decision, we’ve made a list of the best wood for staircase stringers.
Oak
You will never regret installing oak stringers; let us tell you that. Oak is considered one of the sturdiest and the most durable piece of wood, which is why mainly it’s so popular. Many homeowners choose oak as their choice of wood as it helps them have excellent furniture pieces and other wooden items.
Please remember to select the sturdiest wood when building anything from wood. Oak comes in different types, red and white mainly. Regardless of your choice of oak, you’ll undoubtedly not experience any difficulty with it. Yes, it’s a bit expensive, but it’s also highly worth it.
Maple
Another excellent wood that will serve you and your stairs well is maple. Maple is a common choice for many homeowners regarding home construction. Since it’s a highly sturdy piece of wood, you’ll benefit plenty from maple.
It may be expensive, but it also offers excellent quality, so many homeowners prefer having their items made from maple. We suggest you save some funds and invest in maple wood if you can. Come to think about it, it’s only a one-time investment, as you won’t have to replace your maple-based stringers for years. Hence, we strongly recommend maple wood to make your staircase’s stringers.
Walnut
You might think we’re only listing expensive woods, but we’re actually letting you know about the kinds that deliver nothing but quality. Unfortunately, quality doesn’t come cheap, so you’ll have to prepare yourself to bear such an expense.
However, walnut wood is a wood type that will offer incredible strength and support to your staircase, so investing in it will be a good idea. It comes in light to dark brown colors and has a smooth texture. You can have cut or closed stringers made from walnut wood. Overall, walnut is an excellent choice of wood to work with because of their hardness and durability.
Ash
Ash wood is the best kind of wood if you’re looking for an aesthetically appealing piece of wood. It has a gorgeous appearance (it comes in light brown colors), and it offers durability, meaning you won’t have to replace it any time soon.
Ash wood is known to absorb wood stains well, making it an even more accessible wood to make stringers. This piece of wood has had a history in furniture-making and home construction, and for a reason. The straight grains of this wood adds to its rustic appearance, so many people go for it. Finally, ash wood is a rot-resistant wood, making it immune from insects and termites.
Hickory
Hickory wood hails from the hardwood family, making it super sturdy. The sturdier the wood, the better, especially if you want your staircase to have the maximum support. Hickory will aid you quite well in building your stringers as it offers a great deal of strength. Also, since it’s hardwood, it won’t wear out as quickly as other wood, making it a keeper.
This wood type comes in reddish-brown colors and has uniform grains. You’ll be happy to know that hickory wood is extremely shock-resistant, driving the reason behind its popularity. It may be challenging to machine, but it delivers nothing but exceptional quality once you figure that out.
Our Final Thoughts
All the woods mentioned above have incredible qualities, making them excellent choices for making staircase stringers. Please give one of them a shot to see how brilliant they are.
