News

30mm vs 40mm Stair Treads – What’s the Difference?
One of the most common questions we receive is whether to choose 30mm or 40mm solid timber stair treads. ### 30mm Treads- Traditional residential thickness- Lighter in weight- Easier to handle during installation- Cost-effective- Perfectly adequate for most standard home staircases when properly supported ### 40mm Treads- Noticeably more substantial feel underfoot- Extra rigidity and stiffness- Preferred by many builders for a premium finish- Better suited to longer spans or higher-traffic situations- Slightly heavier and higher material cost ### Which Should You Choose? - Standard residential staircase with good stringer... Read more...
Blackbutt vs Spotted Gum vs American Oak for Stair Treads
Choosing the right timber for your stair treads affects appearance, durability and how the finished staircase feels underfoot. Here’s a practical comparison of three popular options. ### Blackbutt- Australian hardwood- Light to medium brown with subtle grain- Very hard and durable- Excellent all-rounder for both internal and some external applications- Takes stain and clear finishes well ### Spotted Gum- Australian hardwood- Richer, often darker tones with distinctive figuring- Extremely hard and tough- Highly regarded for high-traffic areas- Beautiful natural variation ### American Oak- Imported hardwood- Classic lighter colour with prominent... Read more...
Closed Housed vs Open Cut Stringers – Which Should You Choose?
One of the first big decisions when ordering stair components is the type of stringer: closed housed or open cut (also called sawtooth). ### Closed Housed Stringers The treads and risers sit in grooves (housings) cut into the stringer. **Advantages:**- Very strong and stable- Clean, traditional appearance- Excellent for closed-rise staircases- Treads and risers are well supported **Considerations:**- Slightly more complex to install- Requires wedges for a tight fit ### Open Cut (Sawtooth) Stringers The stringer is cut in a zigzag pattern and the treads sit on top of the... Read more...
Stair Riser Height Rules in Queensland (NCC Explained)
Stair riser height is one of the most important safety and comfort factors in any staircase. In Queensland, residential stairs must comply with the National Construction Code (NCC). ### Key NCC Requirements (Residential) While you should always check the latest NCC and any local council requirements, these are the commonly applied limits for private residential stairs: - Maximum riser height is generally 190 mm- Minimum riser height is typically 115 mm- Consistency is critical — all risers in a flight should be the same height (small tolerances are allowed) The... Read more...
How to Measure for a New Staircase
Measuring correctly is the most important step before ordering stair components. Get the numbers right and everything else becomes much easier. ### What You Need to Measure 1. **Total Rise**     This is the vertical height from the finished lower floor level to the finished upper floor level. Measure in millimetres. 2. **Total Run (or Going)**     This is the total horizontal distance the staircase will cover. 3. **Available Width**     The clear width between walls or the space you have for the staircase. 4. **Headroom**     Check there is... Read more...