Hardwood vs softwood: which is best for your wooden stair parts?

Updating your staircase means choosing between hardwood or softwood for your stair parts.

While both are great choices, hardwood and softwood have different features, so it’s worth doing some research into which is most suitable for your stairs.

In this guide we look at the differences between hardwood and softwood, including the following:

What’s the difference between softwood and hardwood?

Whether timber is a softwood or hardwood refers to how the trees reproduce—it doesn’t describe the strength of the wood.

Hardwood isn’t necessarily harder or stronger than softwood—balsa wood, for example, is an extremely soft and pliable hardwood. However, most types of hardwood are denser than softwood and therefore stronger and more durable.

What is hardwood?

Hardwood comes from deciduous trees (trees that shed their leaves in winter) that produce seeds in a closed covering, such as a shell or a fruit. An oak tree is an example of a hardwood tree, as it produces seeds inside acorns.

White oak is a hardwood that is commonly used for stair parts. You can view a full range of white oak stair parts here.

What is softwood?

Softwood comes from evergreen trees (trees that have leaves all year round) that produce seeds which aren’t in a closed cover, but instead drop to the ground or are carried off by the wind. A pine tree is an example of a softwood tree, as it releases seeds from pine cones.

Pine is a popular choice for affordable stair parts. You can view a full range of pine stair parts here.

Why is hardwood usually more expensive than softwood?

Hardwood tends to be more expensive than softwood because it:

• takes longer to grow, meaning the trees can’t be harvested as quickly
• can only grow in certain locations, whereas softwoods such as pine are far more adaptable
• is harder to cultivate
• takes longer to dry
• is harder to work with

Essentially, hardwoods are typically more expensive because more time and effort goes into growing it and working with it. If you’re on a budget for home improvements, softwood stair parts are a more affordable choice.

The benefits of hardwood stair parts

Hardwood is popular for stair parts due to its strength, durability and luxurious appearance.

Hardwood is very easy to clean and requires very little maintenance, making it a particularly good choice for stair treads, risers and balustrades.

While it tends to be more expensive than softwood, it’s a worthwhile investment as it’s sturdy, wear-resistant and looks great with a natural varnish, rich stain or painted finish.

Hardwoods that are ideal for stair parts include:

• white oak
• walnut stair parts
• ash

The benefits of softwood stair parts

Softwood is an excellent, reasonably priced alternative to hardwood for finishing your staircase. It’s also a versatile choice for stair parts since it’s ideal for staining and painting.

As softwoods grow so quickly and easily, they are a much more environmentally friendly choice than hardwood.

Popular softwoods for balustrades include:

• pine
• hemlock

You can read more about the difference between hardwoods and softwoods with our guide to choosing the right materials for your balustrade.

Comparing softwood stair parts: Hemlock vs pine

Pine is a popular choice for stair parts as it’s easy to work with, sand and finish. When finished with a clear varnish, it can give a home a rustic feel. When painted with a colour, it can look very modern.

Hemlock is renowned for its strength and resistance to wear and tear, which makes it ideal for stair parts. The timber is very light in colour and takes varnish very well so a hemlock balustrade can give any hallway a striking, fresh feel.

You can view a full range of hemlock stair parts including handrails and spindles here.

Below is an overview of the key differences between the hemlock and pine:

Feature	Hemlock	Pine
Type of wood	Softwood	Softwood
Strength	Dense, and so stronger than many hardwoods	Has a close grain that makes it very strong
Colour	Pale brown	Light beige to yellow in colour
Appearance	Uniform grain, no knots, black vein line	Straight grain with attractive knots
Durability	Similar resistance to wear as pine	Can show scratches and dents
Finish	Staining, varnishing or painting	Staining, varnishing or painting
Maintenance	Low - Medium	Low - Medium
Cost	Low – Mid Range	Low Range

Comparing hardwood stair parts: White ash vs oak

White oak is an extremely tough wood with a highly distinctive tiger-stripe grain—two attributes that have made it a popular choice in construction for centuries.

As oak is such a traditional option for a staircase, it works well in giving period, characterful properties an impressive focal point in their hallways.

Ash is a strong wood with a close grain, meaning it can hold nails and screws very well. This adds to its strength when used as a balustrade. It’s easy to stain and looks beautiful with a clear finish to showcase the wood’s natural lightness. You can buy high-quality ash stair parts online—view a complete range of ash stair parts here.

Below is an overview of the key differences between oak and ash:

Feature	Oak	Ash
Type of wood	Hardwood	Hardwood (though soft varieties exist)
Strength	Renowned for being strong and long-lasting	Harder than oak but less water-resistant
Colour	Ranges in colour from blonde to dark tones	Warm beige to dark brown in colour
Appearance	Very strong and distinctive grain	Obvious grain but not as pronounced as oak
Durability	Resistant to dents and scratches	Takes stains well
Finish	Staining or polishing	Staining or polishing
Maintenance	Low-maintenance	Low-maintenance
Cost	Mid-range	Typically more expensive than oak

Comparing hardwood and softwood stair parts: hemlock vs oak

Hemlock and oak are two of the most popular woods used to make stair parts.

Below is an overview of the key differences between the two materials:

Feature	Hemlock	Oak
Type of wood	Softwood	Hardwood
Strength	Dense and stronger than many hardwoods	Renowned for being strong and long-lasting
Colour	Pale brown	Ranges in colour from blonde to dark tones
Appearance	Uniform grain, no knots, black vein line Ideal for staining and painting	Very pronounced grain, no knots Works well in combination with contrasting materials Ideal for staining and showcasing natural timber
Durability	Similar resistance to wear as pine	Resistant to dents and scratches
Finish	Staining or painting	Staining or polishing
Maintenance	Low - Medium	Low-maintenance
Cost	Generally less expensive than oak	Mid-range

Hardwood and softwood stair parts—FAQs

How do I care for wooden stair parts?

• Use a vacuum cleaner with a small nozzle attachment to clean off any dust and debris that’s collected on stair treads, on the handrail and base rail and in between the spindles.
• Soak and wring out a soft, clean cloth in a solution of warm water and wood cleaner or mild detergent. Use the moist cloth to remove hard-to-reach dust and/or any dried spillages on the wood.
• Wipe with a dry, lint-free cloth to remove excess moisture.
• Repeat every four to six weeks.

How do I clean a wooden banister?

Over time, oil and dirt can build up on wooden banisters. However, cleaning this off and restoring the banister to its former beauty is simple.

1. Use a baby wipe to remove the surface dirt from the handrail. You may need to use a few wipes to remove all the dirt.
2. If the handrail still feels greasy, wipe it with a cloth moistened in a solution of equal parts vinegar and water.
3. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away any residue from the vinegar solution.

Is hemlock a hardwood or a softwood?

Hemlock is a softwood with a beautiful pale colour and an even texture. It’s a popular timber inside the home, used for doors, shutters, mouldings and stair parts, for example.

You can view a range of our hemlock stair parts here.

Further resources

For more information on the full range of materials for stair parts, read our guide to choosing the right materials for your balustrade.

You can find more information on balustrades in our guide to balustrades here.

If you’re not sure what parts of your staircase are called, read our in-depth information on stair parts names and identification here.

 

Stair part guides & FAQs