Stair Tread Measurement

Grab your measuring tape. To find the depth, measure from the very front edge of the step (this is often called the 'nosing') straight back until you touch the vertical board behind it. That vertical board is the 'riser.' Taking a careful, precise measurement here is key to ensuring your new treads provide complete coverage for safety and style.

Using your measuring tape, measure the full width of the stepping surface from the far left side to the far right side. This measurement helps you choose a tread size that offers the ideal coverage for your family's needs, creating a uniform, professional look. Precision here ensures your treads will be perfectly centered and look fantastic.

The riser is the vertical surface that connects one stair tread to the next. To measure its height, place your measuring tape on the top surface of a tread and measure vertically up to the top surface of the tread directly above it. While this measurement isn't always required for standard tread installation, it's great information to have for a complete picture of your staircase.

Look for the angled board on the side of your stairs that the treads and risers are attached to—that's the stringer. Measure its thickness. Knowing this helps ensure a seamless fit, especially with any side trim. Sometimes, a small piece of trim (like base shoe or quarter round) might be in the way; you may need to measure just the stringer board itself for the most accurate dimension.

On a notepad or in a digital file, clearly write down the depth, width, riser height, and stringer thickness for your staircase. Here’s an expert tip: measure each individual step! It's common for stairs in a single flight to have slight variations. Taking the time to do this guarantees that your custom-made treads will deliver the Oak Valley Difference: a perfect, secure fit for every single step, giving you peace of mind.