Want your stairs to rise above? When it comes to your staircases, your choice of wood makes all the difference. And not just in terms of aesthetics, either, although it certainly comes into play there – but the wood you ultimately choose to work with will affect acoustics, cleaning methods and other considerations for years – and more than likely, decades – to come. Last month, we covered some of today’s most popular wood types for stair cases, among them Hard Maple, Hickory, Santos Mahogany, Walnut and Yellow Pine, and this month we’re taking a closer look at the benefits of Cherry, Alder, Mahogany and Poplar. Without further ado…
Cherry
American Cherry wood has long been a leader in the collective woodworking clubhouse, thanks to its pleasant, distinctive scent, rot-resistant texture and easy malleability. Another bonus: the appearance of American Cherry wood, which typically comes in hues ranging from a dark, rich red to a more subdued reddish-brown, can actually improve over time, provided the wood itself is well-maintained.
Alder
Timeless and traditional, Alder is a class wood species that stands tall against the test of time, even as stair and woodworking trends come and go. A domestic hardwood with considerable availability throughout the Pacific Northwest, this variety ranges in color from light tan to brown with a reddish hue. It does, however, tend to redden with age and continued exposure to air. Woodworkers and contractors turn to Alder time and again because it can be easily manipulated both by hand and machine, and it also stains easily and attractively. Alder was once a popular choice only in western states. It gained tremendous popularity in the Midwestern and Northeast US over the last decade.
Mahogany
An exotic, yet surprisingly affordable wood option for stairs and stair parts is Mahogany wood, which is frequently used in railings and balustrades thanks to its supreme durability and classic, yet sophisticated look and feel. African mahogany hails from Western Africa, and it typically ranges broadly in color from light pink to dark, reddish-brown. Many people choose this type of wood for outdoor staircases as well indoor ones thanks to its rugged, termite-resistant nature that stands strong against the elements. African Mahogany holds up well outdoors as long as any laminated products are manufactured with exterior grade glue.
Poplar
Though traditionally light in color, Poplar wood is a popular choice for staircases and other interior construction projects because it can be found in a broad variety of mineral-stained shades, including red, green and yellow. Indigenous to the Eastern U.S., Poplar is a relatively affordable wood variety that sands and paints extremely well. Keep that in mind. This type of wood is usually considered a paint grade product.
Yours stairs serve as far more than simply a way to get from floor to floor. When done well and crafted from premium-quality wood materials, they can quickly become a focal point of your home and a point of pride for you and your family.
