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 support → 30mm is usually sufficient and more economical.
- Want a heavier, more solid feel → 40mm.
- Longer unsupported spans or commercial-style use → 40mm is often the safer choice.
- Matching existing stairs → measure the current thickness and match it.
We stock both 30mm and 40mm treads in the same timber species, along with matching risers and nosings, so either option works cleanly with the rest of your staircase components.
Still unsure? Send us your span and intended use and we can give you a recommendation.