Stair Materials Guide

A comparison of stair building materials including lumber types, hardware, and approximate costs.

Stringer Lumber

Stringers are almost always cut from 2×12 boards. The key choice is the lumber type:

  • Pressure-Treated Pine: Best for outdoor/deck stairs. Rot and insect resistant. ~$1.50-2.50/linear foot. Must use ACQ-rated fasteners.
  • Douglas Fir / SPF: Standard for interior stairs. Strong and straight. ~$1.00-1.80/linear foot.
  • LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber): Engineered option. Very straight, consistent, and strong. ~$3-5/linear foot. Ideal for long or heavy-duty stringers.

Tread Materials

  • Pine (5/4 or 2×): Budget interior option. ~$2-4/linear foot. Usually stained or painted.
  • Oak / Maple / Hardwood: Premium interior look. Pre-made stair treads ~$15-40 each. Beautiful but needs finishing.
  • Pressure-Treated (5/4×6): Standard for deck stairs. ~$1.50-2/linear foot. Two boards per tread for 36\" wide stairs.
  • Composite Decking: Low maintenance for outdoor stairs. ~$3-6/linear foot. Use stair-specific nosing profiles.
  • Cedar / Redwood: Natural rot resistance for outdoor use. ~$3-5/linear foot. Beautiful but softwood.

Hardware & Fasteners

  • Stringer Hangers: ~$6-12 each. Connect stringers to the header joist.
  • Structural Screws: #9 or #10, 3\" for treads, 3.5\"+ for framing. GRK, SPAX, or similar. ~$15-25 per box.
  • Construction Adhesive: ~$5-8 per tube. Use on all tread-to-stringer joints for squeak prevention.
  • Concrete Anchors: For bottom attachment to concrete. ~$3-5 for a pack of 4.
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