Wood stair railings,built and fittedin Whitehall.
White oak, red oak, poplar, hickory — plus more on request — cut, coped, and fit to your stair. Traditional, transitional, and grand profiles, straight runs or curved continuous handrail. A lot can be done with wood. One of the first things we'll ask about is your flooring. Your floors, treads, and railing should all work together, and we'll give you our honest feedback. Send us a few photos, and we'll provide a realistic budget range on your first call.
How much does a wood railing replacement cost?
Every project is unique, but most stair railing renovations fall between $2,000 and $15,000. Lead times are typically 4–6 weeks, or 8–12 weeks for custom newels and curved handrail, and most installations take 1–3 days. Species and handrail profile move the number. Send us photos of your staircase, and we'll provide a realistic budget estimate during your first consultation.
Reviewed July 2026 · Nick & the Snyder Stairs team, Whitehall PA
Pick the wood. We'll cut and fit it to your stair.
Every railing starts with a species choice, and one of the first things we'll ask about is your flooring. Below are the American hardwoods we work with most, out of about a dozen available, with the differences that matter: durability, color, finish, and price.
White Oak
White oak is the most popular choice.
White oak has a tight, straight grain, holds up in a high-traffic foyer, and takes stain evenly. It's the safe choice for colonials, farmhouses, and transitional homes across the Lehigh Valley.
We use rift- and quarter-sawn stock for treads and handrails and plain-sawn for newels. That combination gives you the cleanest face on the rail and the most figure on the post.
- Janka 1360, so it stands up to dogs, kids, and years of foot traffic
- Rift- or quarter-sawn for treads, plain-sawn for newels
- Stains anywhere from warm honey to deep walnut tones
Walnut
Walnut brings the most warmth and character.
If you're looking for a staircase with more warmth and character, walnut is hard to beat. Its natural dark color and distinctive grain make it one of the most popular choices for higher-end custom homes, and it needs very little stain.
Walnut works well for curved continuous handrail and over-the-post installs that run from the foyer to the landing without a break.
- Naturally rich color, so it needs little or no stain
- Works well for curved continuous handrail
- Looks sharp against painted risers and satin-black iron
Cherry
Cherry darkens to amber over time.
American cherry darkens to a rich amber over its first few years in your home, so the railing you see on day one will keep deepening in color.
It has a fine, even texture that finishes smooth, and it pairs naturally with painted white risers and brass hardware. It's a traditional choice for center-hall colonials and craftsman interiors.
- Color deepens with sunlight over the first 2–3 years
- Fine, even texture that finishes smooth
- Pairs with white-painted risers and brass detail
Hard Maple
Hard maple is the light, clean option.
Hard maple keeps its near-white color and tight grain, which makes it the usual choice for modern and contemporary stairs that lean cool rather than warm.
It's the hardest of the popular American species, so it holds up in a busy entry. It also pairs well with satin-black iron balusters.
- Janka 1450, the hardest of the popular American species
- Reads bright in north-facing entries
- Pairs well with satin-black iron balusters
Wood railings, photographed in the homes they were built for.
Caruso · Acorn Finial
Caruso · Ebonized Handrail
Caruso · Upper Landing
Rambo · Hickory Sweep
Rambo · Volute Detail
Modern White Oak · Oak & Painted
Modern White Oak · Oak & Iron
Rambo · Carved Newel
Keep the stairs. Change the look.
The Modern White Oak project. The staircase stayed where it was. The dark-stained railing and basket-twist iron came out, and a white-oak handrail with slim satin-black balusters went in. Drag the slider to compare the before and after.
- 4–6 wksShop fabrication
- 1–2 daysTread / railing install
- One dayIron-baluster swap
- By phoneBudget range from photos
Drag the handle (or use arrow keys) to wipe between the original and the finished install.
After
Here's what you can expect.
Every project is unique, but most stair railing renovations fall between $2,000 and $15,000. Send us photos of your staircase, and we'll provide a realistic budget estimate during your first consultation.
- 01Lead time4–6 weeks standard · 8–12 weeks custom
- 02Deposit50% to start fabrication
- 03MeasuringPhotos first, then a measure if needed
- 04Installation1–3 days, our own crew
- 05SpeciesWhite oak, red oak, poplar, hickory, and more
- 06After the jobCall us and we'll take care of it
A few things you'll probably want to know.
Can you match my existing floor color?
Yes. We match the wood to your floor by species, which is what makes the railing look like it belongs in the house. We deliver the wood unfinished so your finisher can stain and seal it on site next to the floors and trim already in the room. Tell us what your floors are, or send us a photo, and we'll source the wood to match.
How long does a wood railing project take?
Lead times are typically 4–6 weeks, or 8–12 weeks for custom newels and curved continuous handrail, and most installations take 1–3 days. Straight runs move quickly. Send us a few photos and we'll give you a realistic timeline along with the budget range.
What happens if something isn't right after the install?
Call us. If there's an issue with our work, we'll come back and take care of it. You're dealing directly with the same local shop before, during, and after the project, so there's always someone you can reach who knows the job. We've been doing this since 1987.
Which wood species is best for a railing?
It depends on your floors and the finish you want. White oak is the most popular. It has a tight grain, takes stain evenly, and holds up in a busy foyer. Red oak is a good value with a bolder grain. Poplar is the practical choice for a painted railing. Hickory has a lot of grain movement and reads more rustic. Walnut has a deep natural color and needs very little stain. We work with about a dozen species in all. Stop by the Whitehall showroom and we'll walk you through samples in person.
Can you do curved or over-the-post handrails?
Yes. Curved continuous handrail and over-the-post transitions are some of our best work. They add a couple of weeks to fabrication and about a day on site, and for a grand staircase the difference is worth it. Send us a few photos of the stair and we'll tell you what's involved.
Do I need to leave the house during the install?
No. Most railing installations take 1–3 days, and you can use the stairs each evening. On a multi-floor stair we work one floor at a time. We'll go over the schedule with you before we start.
Contractor with a wood railing to price?
American hardwoods, cut and fit at trade pricing.
White oak, red oak, poplar, hickory, and more, cut, coped, and fit to the stair in our Whitehall shop. Every species and profile combination prices differently, so send us what you're working on and we'll price it out.
- About a dozen species
- Trade pricing
- No account needed
Start the conversation
Wood stair railings, built and fitted in our Whitehall shop.
Send us a few photos and tell us what you'd like to change. We'll talk through species, profiles, and lead times, give you a budget range, and help you decide what makes sense.
Budget on the first call · (610) 443-2240 · Whitehall, PA