What Is a Stair Riser?
You stand at the bottom of a staircase, your eyes tracing the vertical face of each step, that solid panel rising from tread to tread, and you are looking at a stair riser, the structural element that defines your climb, supports your weight, and keeps your foot from slipping through.
Yet you might not know that this single component, typically measuring 7 inches in height with a maximum 3/8-inch variation permitted by most building codes, can be made from solid oak, engineered MDF, poured concrete, or extruded aluminum. Each material offers distinct lifespans, maintenance demands, and price points that will shape your decision before you ever set foot on the first step.