The Structural Backbone of Every Staircase
A stringer is the raked board that runs the full length of the staircase and carries the housed or cleated treads and risers fixed into it. Because it's load-bearing rather than purely decorative, stringer stock is selected for straightness of grain and structural integrity ahead of surface appearance, though it's still supplied in Blackbutt or Spotted Gum so any exposed sections match the rest of the staircase. Stringers are supplied dressed and sized ready for housing, cutting or routing on site, in section sizes suited to standard domestic spans through to larger commercial staircases. Where a staircase design leaves the stringer visible — open-string construction, for example — we can supply select-grade stock with a cleaner face for the exposed side.
Why Choose JVS Stringers
Technical Specifications
Species available
Blackbutt, Spotted Gum (other species on request)
Standard thickness
38 mm – 50 mm
Standard depth
230 mm – 300 mm
Grade
Structural / select-grade for exposed open-string applications
Natural durability
Class 1 – Class 2 above ground (species-dependent)
Finish supplied
Dressed, sized, ready for housing and cutting
Typical use
Closed and open-string domestic and commercial staircases
Where Stair Stringers Perform Best
Closed-string residential staircases where the stringer sits behind the treads.
Open-string staircases where the stringer face is visible and needs to match the timber floor.
Commercial and multi-residential staircases requiring heavier structural sections.
Renovation projects replacing existing stringers with species-matched hardwood.
Custom joinery staircases built off-site and installed as a complete unit.
Working With Stair Stringers
Stringer housings for treads and risers should be routed or cut to the depth and angle specified in your staircase design, with fixings and glue blocks used per standard construction practice to eliminate movement and squeaking over time. Pre-drill for any bolted or screwed connections near the ends of the board. Where stringers are exposed — open-string designs, for example — finish them with the same coating system used on the treads and flooring so colour and sheen stay consistent across the whole staircase. Hidden stringers in closed-string construction generally don't need a decorative finish, though sealing cut ends is still good practice to limit moisture movement.
Get Your Free QuoteSustainable & Ethically Sourced
Stringer stock supplied by JVS Timber is sourced from certified Australian producers and supplied compliant with Australian structural timber standards. FSC-certified options are available on request for projects requiring chain-of-custody documentation.
Get Your Free QuoteStair Stringers Sizes & Availability
JVS Timber supplies stringer stock in standard and project-specific section sizes. Send through your staircase span, rise and number of steps — or your working drawings — and our team will confirm the right section size, current stock and trade pricing, with delivery available Australia-wide.
Get Your Free QuoteStair Stringers — Frequently Asked Questions
Section size depends on the span between supports, the number of treads carried, and whether the design is open or closed string. We'll confirm the right depth and thickness once we know your staircase span and rise — for anything non-standard, we recommend checking the section against your builder or engineer's specification.