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September 30, 2024
Red Oak is generally more affordable than White Oak, prompting many to explore finishing techniques to achieve a similar look. At first glance, some Red Oak may resemble White Oak, but they have distinct differences. White Oak features a light brown hue, tighter grain, and greater density, while Red Oak has a red tint and […]
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January 11, 2022
the difference in a nutshell
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January 29, 2020
Part 4 of 4 As with styles, components made from wood species that are stocked will always cost less than custom orders. We have noticed a trend over the past eight to ten years to natural or brown toned species such as walnut and white oak. Within the United States, red oak is the most […]
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November 21, 2012
More and more we are investing in the highest quality products for outdoor living spaces. We want our outdoor space to be another room to relax and entertain in. No longer is the “deck” stair enough, we want top of the line, indoor quality stairs and railings for our outdoor spaces. When designing a top […]
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November 19, 2012
Twenty years ago if you wanted hardwood flooring, it was pretty much limited to “red oak 2-1/4″ strips”. Today we can choose from imported tropical hardwoods, and engineered flooring from laminates to bamboo, in a variety of widths. Our old favorite, red oak is now readily available knotty and rustically scraped. Typically stair treads are […]
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November 15, 2012
There are two main design features to consider as you select a wood for your trim: color and grain. Color can be adjusted through stain, while grain gives the wood its style and character. Grain is the more important consideration when choosing your wood. Straight Grain Oak If you are leaning towards a modern or […]
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November 14, 2012
There are several species of hardwoods that have very bold natural color, such as cherry, walnut, and mahogany. Historically these were the most desirable woods, due to their natural beauty and no need to stain or color them. These woods have long demanded premium prices. Other species of hardwoods may have more subtle color, but […]
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November 13, 2012
For hundreds of years cherry has a been a desirable wood species due to its beautiful natural color; its subtle grain lends itself to elegant applications. Cherry is an excellent wood for furniture, cabinets and stairs. Cherry is easy to work with, however it does present a few challenges to be aware for use in […]
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November 9, 2012
Maple is popular wood for interior trim, flooring and stairs. Maple has natural beauty with a smooth surface due to its closed grain properties of the wood. The hardness of maple makes it a great choice for stairs and any place that gets a lot of abuse from heavy use. Maple is usually clear coated […]
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October 25, 2012
The environmental conditions inside the house are critical to the quality of the stair. Hardwood lumber has been dried through a very controlled process to an industry standard moisture content of 6-8%. This matches the moisture content inside the average home and allows the wood to remain stable under normal conditions. In cold climtes, when […]
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December 30, 2011
There are many choices in hardwood flooring today. A recent search revealed over 25 species of readily available hardwood flooring from which to select. Over half of these species are imported from other countries. Most imported hardwoods are grown in a tropical climate, which results in a much different growth cycle for the tree when […]
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December 30, 2011
Bamboo has become popular in the past few years. It is desirable due to its sustainability and unique appearance. Bamboo is a unique material, and has some limitations compared to wood species you may be considering. First, bamboo is a grass and not a tree. It is hollow and does not grow as tall or […]
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December 30, 2011
We often get asked the question: “What parts of my stair should I paint and what should I stain?” When determining what to stain and what to paint, think about the overall feel you want in your space. The more parts you paint, it will be a lighter and airier feel. The more parts you […]
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December 30, 2011
When we quote stairs in custom wood species we often hear the question: “Why are stairs in custom wood species so much more expensive than oak?” When shopping for flooring, you may find there is not a significant difference in pricing between oak flooring and species such as Brazilian Cherry, Walnut or Bamboo for example. […]
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