Wooden Staircase Steps for Indoors and Outdoors

The combination of science and nature has enabled us to produce strong, durable wood for our interior space. Due to the versatile nature of wood, it is one of the widely used medium in interior design. Wood is one of the most popular option for staircase components, such as staircase steps, staircase railings or even the balustrade.

In forestry terms, freshly harvested wood is ‘green’ due to its high moisture content. Since trees are made up of an ecosystem of water and nutrients, that means harvested wood needs to undergo processing before it is used for construction. The process is called ‘kiln-drying’. Once wood is kiln-dried, it is ready for construction use.

How is Wood ‘Kiln-Dried’?

Kiln-drying is basically a process of placing sawn lumber into kilns where heated air is circulated and the temperature and relative humidity of the kiln is controlled for the purpose of reaching the wood’s equilibrium moisture content: a balance between the moisture content of the wood, and the relative humidity of its surrounding environment, depending upon the end wood products application specifications. Once the equilibrium moisture content is achieved, a wood’s moisture content can vary with slight changes in the relative humidity of the surrounding environment without jeopardizing the strength and structural integrity of the end wood product. – Wagner Meters

As you can see, processing wood for construction use is a science in its own. Hence, it is very important to choose the right wood for your staircase steps or staircase railing. In VS Interior Decor, we classify it broadly in two categories.

Wood Suitable for Indoor Use

Wood staircase steps or staircase railings are sought after due to its timeless beauty and durability. Shellac is used to preserve the beauty of the wood grain. Should opaque paint be used, it is an implication that the wood used is poor quality. Wood that is used indoors need to retain their shape and not crack due to humidity or use.

Often, home owners would request to match the colour of the wood to their interior space. Wood can be darkened with multiple coats of varnishes but cannot be lightened through other means.

Some examples of wood suitable for indoor use are Nyatoh, Merbau, Meranti and Teak.

Wood Suitable for Outdoor Use

Wood staircase steps or staircase railings that are used outdoors need to be wood that can further mature in an outdoor setting. For example, it is not uncommon to see parks featuring wooden fences that have natural creases and cracks. The cracks are desirable due to its natural beauty. Once the wood has conditioned in an outdoor setting by rain, sunshine and the elements, the wood will acquire the natural imperfections and set its shape with time. From there, the wood will retain its form for a long time. Naturally, this imperfection is not desirable in an indoor setting hence it is not commonly used.

Some examples of outdoor wood are Balau and Chengai.

Wood Staircase Steps for Every Setting

The wood in the VS Interior Decor portfolio are all harvested from local origins. As many would know, Malaysia produces some of the highest quality wood in the world. Certain woods such as Teak are imported from neighbouring Burma or Indonesia.

If you would like to explore using wood as an element in your staircase, give us a call now at +6012 9339 460 to find out more. Drop us a message now to learn more about beautifying your home with beautiful wooden touches.