Premium Hardwood Floating Stairs in Houston, TX

At Houston Floating Stairs , every hardwood tread job starts with a humidity conversation — because wood that ships dry to a Houston home and gets installed the same week is going to move. Houston's humidity swings between outdoor summer air pushing 90% RH and indoor air-conditioned spaces running at 45–55%. That delta causes real expansion and contraction cycles in solid wood treads, and it shows up as gaps, squeaks, or finish failure if the material wasn't acclimated first.

We stage lumber on-site for a minimum of 10 days before any cutting happens. The treads equilibrate to your home's actual interior conditions — not the warehouse they came from, not a climate-controlled showroom. By the time we mill the final dimensions, the wood has already done its movement for your environment.

Species selection matters for more than aesthetics. Walnut is stable and dense, making it a reliable performer in Houston's humidity range. White oak is harder and takes stain well when clients want a specific tone. Ash gives you a lighter grain with strong hardness ratings. Hickory is the most impact-resistant option — good for households with heavy foot traffic or pets. We carry all four and we'll show you actual samples, not just catalog photos.

The finish we apply is rated for humidity resistance and UV stability. Houston's south-facing windows put serious sun load on any interior surface. Standard polyurethane yellows and peels under that exposure over 3–4 years. We use a two-component water-based finish with UV absorbers built into the formula — it holds its tone and doesn't require refinishing on the same short cycle as standard floor finishes.

Tread thickness on a cantilevered system matters structurally. We don't use 3/4 inch planks. Most of our hardwood treads run 2 to 2.5 inches thick — thick enough to span the cantilever without deflection underfoot and to allow for future refinishing without compromising structural depth. Every tread is fastened and glued, not just screwed down.