FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

hardwood stair treads

ttttaqw | Posted in Construction Techniques on July 14, 2004 07:34am

I’m soon to be remodeling my house including rebuilding my staircase and my wife has her heart set on bloodwood floors.  My question is concerning the stair treads,  I know it’s common to use 5/4 lumber to make the treads but I have found bloodwood only in 4/4 (too thin, or is it?) and 8/4 (too thick and expensive).  My question is,  is it possible to use the 3/4″ hardwood floor planks as treads?  Here’s what i’m thinking,  put 3/4″ plywood on stringers and top with hardwood planks,  The risers (which will be painted) will cover the ply.  There will be one routed housed stringer which will accept the ply and tread as normal.  Also I would have to mill the leading edge of eack tread out of thicker material say 1″  with bullnose in front and 3/4″ rabbet in back,  with the return done the same way.  Anyone seen anything like this done before? Am I on the right track or should I scrap the idea.                                                                                                                           P.S. is’ent the way I’m describing this how landings are normally constructed on hardwood staircases?    Thanks

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. User avater
    Sphere | Jul 14, 2004 09:23pm | #1

    If it is true South American Bloodwood, 3/4 is plenty stiff enough IF you have a center stringer, and do not exceed a span from support to support of about 22''.

     

    Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

    Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 



    Edited 7/14/2004 2:25 pm ET by SPHERE

  2. maverick | Jul 14, 2004 09:59pm | #2

    I built my own stairs exactly that way only because I needed to get rough construction stairs in place fast. Mine is a spiral. I later trimmed with finished treads.

    Makes for a solid set of stairs

  3. UncleDunc | Jul 14, 2004 11:20pm | #3

    You could stiffen the bloodwood treads with battens on the bottoms. Put one on the leading edge to give the tread a thicker look, and one on the back edge and one in the middle, or maybe four total.

  4. ed2 | Jul 15, 2004 12:05am | #4

    stair landings have 3/4" flooring applied, w the leading edge receiving a "stair nosing" milled from 5/4 stock     the rear section is undercut down to 3/4" thickness, to match height the flooring    the bullnose overhangs the riser by 5/16", hiding the joint for a clean appearance

    you can use the bloodwood flooring for treads, good idea to use the plywood layer below, w ply face concealed by riser as you said      use a third center stringer like sphere suggested     you said no 5/4 stock is available to make the undercut "stair nosing" as above, a trick is to use the 4/4 thick flooring, bullnose the leading edge, and mill the same material for a small cove molding to fit @ top of riser/under tread overhang to dress the joint      have seen 3/4" oak treads used w and w/o the cove molding     looks better w it, gives illusion of thicker, beefier tread

    recommend use adhesive on stringers under ply, also under flooring on top of ply to secure/quiet treads made of t&g bloodwood

    no pre-made wood filler for bloodwood, make your own w clean, fine sawdust; mix w "Glitza wood flour cement" to make color matched filler, avail gallon can    stuff stinks and is flammable, so watch that    use it on stairs & flooring     short pot life, mix small batches

    on the web, try:        florida wood        have seen some stair parts or moldings from them, good quality      maybe have your treads already fabricated

  5. WayneL5 | Jul 15, 2004 12:40am | #5

    Also remember that the finished rise of every single stair has to be the same within, I think it's 3/8".  That includes the rise from the floor to the first step.  If you don't have them all the same there'll be a tripping or stumbling hazard.  So you have to work out your heights carefully.

  6. EricGunnerson | Jul 19, 2004 06:48am | #6

    I built up the treads for my stairs out of 3/4 maple with tread edging, and then put it over 3/4" ply.

    Worked great.

  7. MajorWool | Jul 19, 2004 07:52am | #7

    Try these guys. They may have it, or be able to find it in 5/4.

    I took my FiL there over the 4th, and they had a piece of 8/4 mahogany 36" wide and about 10 ft long. Now THAT is a table top.

    https://www.emersonhardwood.com/cchw/product.asp?cID=98621850867507

    http://www.gilmerwood.com/

    1. ttttaqw | Jul 20, 2004 03:13am | #8

      Thanks for all the input and ideas,  I'm still not sure what approach I'll take but at least I got some great feedback and am armed with more choices than when I began. 

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

A Practical Perfect Wall

Getting the details right for a wall assembly with the control layers to the exterior and lots of drying potential.

Featured Video

How to Install Exterior Window Trim

Learn how to measure, cut, and build window casing made of cellular PVC, solid wood, poly-ash boards, or any common molding material. Plus, get tips for a clean and solid installation.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 695: Saving Bricks, Cut-and-Cobble Insulation, and Waterproofing Foundations
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Waterproofing Below-Grade Foundation Walls
  • Midcentury Home for a Modern Family
  • The New Old Colonial

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 333 - August/September 2025
    • A Practical Perfect Wall
    • Landscape Lighting Essentials
    • Repairing a Modern Window Sash
  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data