Staircase Types
These are the 7 standard stair types that are used in most practical applications. We also make custom design stairs to showcase the unique décor of your home. Click on CUSTOM to learn more about our beautiful custom stairs.

Type #1 stair is a complete boxed in stair with housed stringers on both sides. On this stairway, the ends of each tread and riser are installed into recessed stringer routings creating a box appearance.

Type #2 stair has a boxed in section. In addition, there is an open section with RH or LH returned end treads one side only the first few steps, usually no more than six. The exact amount of returned end open treads is determined by location of the finished wall line. We ask for this information on line “G” of our order form.

Type #3 stair is closed or boxed in one side. The opposite side is open with all returned end treads. When ordering, indicate RH or LH on line “M” of the order form.

Type #4 stair is similar to the Type #2, which is a combination of open end boxed in section stair, except the open section is open both sides with mitered RH and LH treads. The exact amount of returned end open treads is determined by location of the finish wall line. We ask for this information on line “G” of the detail sheet.

Type #5 stair is returned end open both sides, each tread having mitered RH and LH ends. There is not a boxed in section to this stair.

Type #6 stair is an excellent, heavy duty, modern appearance stair for open area installations. This finish stair does not have risers installed and has a boxed in or open end appearance depending on stringer location.

Type #7 stair is a boxed in type house basement stair with no risers installed. Our basement stair is economically priced and can be stocked for average ceiling heights.

Measuring
Key measurements needed for staircase construction include floor to floor height and stair width. For more detailed information on measurements, click on HELP ME BUILD IT.

Wood Varieties
The wood species that we work with most frequently include red oak, beech, poplar, hard maple, cherry, white oak, and walnut. But we’re also very competent in handling special wood like butternut, sassafras, buckeye, and ash as well as foreign woods like jatoba (aka Brazilian cherry) and mahogany.

Understanding Quality
The most important determination of quality is made by the craftsman. Our Craftsmen are highly skilled and experienced. They train through a rigorous apprenticeship program that often takes up to 10 years before they graduate to the level of Craftsman. This is because there are no easy templates to follow when building stairs. The knives used for cutting are all ground by hand and set-up in equipment in a certain way to cut various patterns. And this may involve as many as 50 different knives. Consistently obtaining this level of precision requires a level of skill that involves both art and science.

Another important consideration in quality is color consistency. Raw wood often contains color streaks that show up as an inconsistency in the final product. Therefore, when working with raw material, we cut these streaks out of the wood to gain a consistent color. Of course, all this means little without a commitment to quality. Not only do we have over 56 years of experience in the industry, but every member of our team takes pride in delivering the very best.

The USA System
Our parts are made according to the standards of the Universal System Advantage. This standardized system simplifies installation by reducing the number of parts needed and making provisions that allow for size adjustments without affecting the final look of components.

Care & Maintenance
All completed products are thoroughly inspected before leaving our facility, however they have not been finished and are therefore vulnerable to extreme weather conditions that may cause wood to crack. In order to prevent problems caused by temperature and relative humidity, keep your stair parts in a constant temperature before they are installed and finished.