Dark Hardwood

Since dark hardwood is easy to maintain and clean, it can be a great choice for all stair parts. Dark hardwood handrails and balustrades are easy to clean, which is a huge benefit for high contact areas. The durability of dark hardwood also makes it perfect for stair treads, spindles, and bullnose steps.

Dark hardwood is generally a cheaper hardwood option than ash or oak, but still offers most of the same benefits as these. It also has a high resistance to indentation and bending, which means that the investment will last for years to come without the need to replace the wood or update your staircase. The only maintenance that’s needed is revarnishing or staining.

Generally, dark hardwood stairs tend to last around 15-30 years however, this is dependent on how well you look after your staircase.

The main reasons why hardwood is such a popular option for stair parts, include:

• Durability
• Strength
• Luxurious appearance
• Easy to clean/require little maintenance

Interestingly, hardwood stairs tend to be more expensive than softwood stairs because more time and effort is required to grow and work with it. In fact, hardwood can only grow in certain locations, whereas softwoods such as pine are far more adaptable.

At Jackson Woodturners, we recommend that you use the Treatex Clear Hardwax Oil Ultra. With over 40 years of experience in the timber and wood finishing industries, Treatex Hardwax Oil was developed to be user friendly, quick drying, easy to maintain and attractive. All you need to do is apply two coats with a brush or roller. One coat of Treatex Hardwax Oil Natural can be applied underneath Treatex Hardwax Oil Clear Matt.