Why should you consider oak cladding for your staircase? | Top interior design tips
Refreshing your staircase can be a costly purchase, especially if you are wanting to renovate every stair part; such as the handrail, tread and spindles. Instead, a cost-effective alternative may be replacing the carpet with stair cladding; updating the aesthetic and making the staircase appear more modern.
One popular material for stair cladding is oak. With over 500 different species of oak trees, the wooden panels are used to create an elegant texture and rustic feeling within homes. Typically used for furniture and any extensions, oak can be utilised in stair cladding and treads; great for renovating the look of a staircase.
This guide will take a closer look at oak stair cladding, highlighting its features, benefits and interior design tips homeowners should be aware of.
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Discover the key features of oak cladding and what you can expect before and after installation.
Find out about the different stair cladding styles, and which works better for your home.
Learn about the benefits of oak cladding and why you should consider it for your staircase.
Compare oak stair cladding against other wood types, including hardwood and pine.
Discover our top interior design tips for your stair parts, décor and cladding.
A brief overview of who Jackson Woodturners is, and the services we provide.
Oak stair cladding – what should you know?
To refresh a staircase look, homeowners should consider stair cladding. Oak cladding can easily fit over your existing staircase tread and update any worn aesthetics of the treads. As oak is long-lasting and easy to maintain, the cladding can improve the strength of the structure and create a safer staircase for your home.
Durability
As aforementioned, oak is a highly durable material and is primarily used as the main material for staircases. It makes it ideal for busy homes, where there is an expected large number of foot traffic.
All our oak stair parts are made of high-quality materials that are naturally strong. That is why we recommend utilising oak in furnishings such as stair cladding. Discover more about oak stair parts here.
Different shades and finishes
At Jacksons, our stair cladding comes in either pre-finished or unfinished styles. This alters the shade of the wood, which may match your interior décor better.
Browse our collection of unfinished and pre-finished cladding here.
Oak vs other wood stair cladding
There are various wood materials that you can use for stair cladding; each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The riser on our stair cladding range is reversible, allowing you to choose from oak or white primed, to create your own unique design.
Although oak is one of the more expensive materials, this results in a higher-quality and stronger wood. Oak does not require a lot of maintenance post-installation and is known for its durability.
Find out more about our oak stair cladding here.
Interior design tips and finishes
To ensure your staircase maintains its appearance, we recommend certain maintenance tips and techniques after installation.
Make sure to inspect your staircase
To fully understand which parts may need repairing or replacing, homeowners should check each stair tread for any damages. Ensure you are checking the condition; are any of the treads creaking? Is one of the spindles out of place? Is the carpet worn out?
Identifying these damages can help ensure any safety risks are eliminated, whilst allowing you to update the stair parts and aesthetic.
If you have carpet and are wanting a fresh look, consider oak stair cladding. This is a quick and simple way to not only renovate your staircase, but also, make any maintenance much easier; as oak is a durable material. Discover more about stair cladding here.
Use wood filler for imperfections
Your staircase will take its fair share of foot traffic throughout the day; scuffs and marks may occur from daily use. However, this does not mean that you must replace every stair part. Instead, applying the wood filler on the imperfections may refresh your staircase and hide any scratches or chips.
At Jacksons, we sell a variety of Wood Filler products, in a variety of shades. Find the shade that closely matches your staircase and helps improve the look. Discover our Wood Filler products here.
Reapply varnish
The transparent and clear layer on a wooden surface is typically referred to as a finish. This is to protect the wood from any scratches, dents and discolouration. However, over time, this finish may start to face and open up to any external damages.
Reapply the varnish to update the staircase look and keep it looking fresh. This includes the handrail, oak tread and oak riser. At Jacksons, we provide a Treatex Hardwax Oil range that works similarly. Applying two coats with a brush or roller will enhance the look of the oak stair cladding or other stair parts. The wax is fast drying and provides a hard-wearing and attractive finish.
Interested in wood finishing?
Our recommended Treatex Hardwax Oil Product:
Just two coats of our Clear Hardwax Oil will protect and enhance wooden surfaces.
Apply two coats with a brush or roller. One coat of Treatex Hardwax Oil Natural can be applied underneath Treatex Hardwax Oil Clear Gloss.
Browse our Hardwax Oil range here.
What stair parts should you partner with oak cladding?
As the oak stair cladding riser is reversible, there are many stair parts that can complement the cladding. This can either partner with the oak side or the reversed white primed wood cladding.
Oak stair parts are versatile in their design, meaning that they partner nicely with other materials. Consider complementing the oak cladding with glass panels. This is a great way to enhance the natural light in the home and the overall aesthetic of the staircase.
The 300mm Landing Glass Stair Panel is part of our great range of contemporary glass stair parts.
Browse the entire glass panel range.
For white primed cladding, we recommend partnering the stair parts with white primed and brushed nickel spindles. Using wood and metal stair parts combines contemporary and traditional aesthetics for a unique style.
Interested in metal stair parts?
Our recommended product to partner with white primed stair cladding:
This spindle is part of the Forge range of modern stair parts and is designed to be used on a staircase. The chrome products have a shiny finish and are sold individually.
Shop the entire Forge range here.
Find out more information on how to choose the right stair part accessories here.
How Jacksons can help
Jacksons Woodturners has one of the largest collections of stair parts in the UK, both traditional and modern pieces. We have a variety of staircase styles available that can complement your interior design décor; including, oak stair cladding, stair handrails and glass panels.
If you are interested in any of our services, call us on 0114 272 1228 and speak to one of our specialists today.
Frequently asked questions
What material is used for cladding?
Stair cladding utilises different types of wooden flooring. There is a variety of different materials that can be used; however, oak is the most popular option.
At Jacksons, we supply oak stair cladding, including finished and unfinished products. Visit our showroom today to browse our cladding.
What is the best finish for wooden stairs?
To update your staircase, make sure to use Treatex Hardwax Oil for a clear finish. This protects the stair parts from any damage, scratches and chips; ensuring an aesthetically pleasing look.
There is also pre-finished stair cladding that has already been finished with lacquer before purchase. Our pre-finished cladding is reversible; one side is oak, and the other is white primed. Discover our oak stair cladding range here.
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