Stair Tread & Riser Grades

Please note that any clearance or second quality item will not conform to these standards.

BASICS:

• Graded on the face and nosing.
• Reverse side can contain any defects so long as they do not compromise strength.
• May be glued for width or one piece.
• Filler allowed.

GRADES:

First

• Well machined – no noticeable profile distortion.
• No holes.
• May contain slight chipped grain, slight tear out, mineral & streaks, bright sapwood.
• May contain knots ¼ in diameter or less, limited to one every 24 inches.
  • Due to the nature of the wood, Walnut may contain knots ½ in diameter.
• May contain worm holes 1/16in diameter or less.
• No color match standard.

Second

• Can contain mis-machining including chunks of profile missing.
• Can contain holes, knots of any size, splits, cracks, incomplete glue seams.
• May be up to 1/2in shorter or longer than target length.
• May be up to 1/4in narrower or wider than target width.
• May contain up to two staves of incorrect species.
• May contain other defects not listed here.

Character (Rustic)

• Contains various character markings inherent in the tree, reflecting the natural beauty of hardwood.
• May contain rough patches where full machining did not take place.
  • May contain thickness variance due to this.
• May contain knots, worm holes, bird pecks, swirls, burls, and other grain irregularities.
• May contain stain, streaks and other color variations occurring in the growth of the wood.

Paint

• May include sound knots, mineral, worm holes, chipped grain.
• May contain other defects which can be filled.