Oak staircases are simply sublime, and are found in many homes across the UK – but what’s so special about this particular timber, and is it the most fitting option for you to replace your existing stairs with?
Throughout this blog, the experts at Stair Crazy delve into the wonderful world of oak stair components and explain everything you need to know about the benefits of oak!
What exactly is oak?
Whilst you’re likely aware that oak is a type of wood, the more specific properties of this timeless material are beneficial to know – especially if you’re considering an oak staircase!
Solid oak is a hardwood derived from oak trees, of which there are several kinds. For thousands of years, oak timber has been used as a building material to craft several different structures and items – including houses, furniture, doors, and even ships. We continue to use this incredible natural resource today for functional and cosmetic reasons, including oak’s rich colour and unique grains, that stand out amongst man-made materials, and its sheer durability – we’ll explore this further throughout the rest of the article.
In terms of staircases, oak continues to be used to craft various stair parts, such as oak stair treads, risers, handrails, balusters, and newel posts.
Benefits of Oak Stairs
An oak staircase can deliver an exceptional performance in homes for many years, and will offer a whole host of advantages that other materials simply fail to match.
Durability
As oak is a hardwood, it’s an incredibly robust building material, meaning your oak staircase will last for many years. Oak treads and risers are capable of withstanding heavy foot traffic, impacts, scratches, and scuffs by stair users and pets.
What’s more, an oak balustrade is strong and sturdy enough to stay in great condition despite being gripped frequently by those requiring stability on the stairs.
Oak staircases are visually appealing
Its popularity through the ages and present day isn’t just down to its strength and robustness – oak has a timeless beauty that never fails to catch the eye and exude luxuriousness. The natural straight grains, uneven texture and details of this timber add plenty of character to your hallway and staircase, with colours ranging between light and dark beige and in some cases, reddish hues.
During its manufacturing process, oak stair components may even be finished with a lacquer to make their surface glossy.
Oak stairs offer versatility
One of the most beneficial advantages of oak is its versatility, and the fact that it always looks premium and never goes out of fashion. Whether you have a classic or contemporary home aesthetic, oak stairs won’t look out of place.
Additionally, oak elements also work exceptionally well with carpets or carpet runners – if you decide you want to add a different texture or colour to your staircase, you can do so easily without switching out your oak stair parts.
Are there any downsides to oak stair components?
For the most part, oak is a fantastic building material for the many reasons listed above – but is it suited to everyone?Â
Maybe not if you’re buying on a budget. Oak is pretty expensive as it’s much slower to grow and therefore less available compared to its timber counterparts, such as pine.
However, if you consider oaks’ longevity, it’s certainly worth the investment as your stair parts will last much longer, and won’t need replacing.
Personally, if you have the budget to do so, we couldn’t recommend oak stairs highly enough given their wealth of advantages and excellent value for money!
