Modern · Transitional
The Contemporary Wood Stair Style
The Contemporary series strips ornament out. Square stock, square-nose treads, a slim straight-line handrail. Pairs naturally with iron pickets or square-stock wood balusters. The base aesthetic for modern Lehigh Valley new-construction and for renovation projects pulling away from the traditional vocabulary their home was originally built with.
- Est. 198739 yrs
- Family-Owned
- Veteran-Owned
- 4.8★ Verified
- Lehigh Valley
Definition
What is a Contemporary wood stair?
A Contemporary wood stair is a modern, ornament-free staircase using square stock throughout the newels, balusters, and handrail, with square-nose (non-bullnose) treads. It is the base vocabulary for modern new-construction and pairs naturally with iron pickets, floating treads, or mono-stringer geometry.
Built & reviewed by Snyder Stairs · Whitehall, PA · Est. 1987 · Updated June 2026
Visual character
What makes the Contemporary profile distinct.
- Square stock throughout — newels, balusters, handrail
- Square-nose tread profile (no bullnose)
- Charcoal-stained or ebonized walnut handrail is the most-requested finish
- Looks intentional next to drywall returns and minimalist trim
When it works
Best fit for the Contemporary style.
- Modern new-build homes in the Lehigh Valley and Route 78 corridor
- Renovation projects where the homeowner is pulling the entire home contemporary
- Townhouse and condo builds where the trim is simple throughout
- Pairings with floating or mono-stringer stairs
Pairings that work
Configurations + iron patterns that pair with Contemporary.
The Contemporary profile works best with specific stair geometries and (when iron is in the mix) specific iron baluster patterns. Below: the catalog cross-references for this style.
Recommended configurations
Recommended iron patterns
Contemporary
Plain square stock, no ornament. Pairs with mono-stringer and floating tread builds.
See iron pattern →
Round
Plain round stock. Quietest option — disappears between newels, lets the wood handrail do the talking.
See iron pattern →
Hammond Edge
Square-shoulder profile with a chamfered edge — modern transitional, pairs with square-nose treads.
See iron pattern →
How it compares
Wood balusters or iron — which suits the Contemporary look?
Most Contemporary runs use turned wood spindles, but iron pickets are an option on transitional and mixed runs. The trade-offs:
Turned wood spindles
- Stays true to the period vocabulary of the style
- Profile + species can match the home's existing trim
- Repaint or re-stain to refresh over time
- Single repeating profile reads warmer and traditional
Iron pickets
- Lower maintenance — satin-black finish, no re-staining
- Slimmer profile opens up the visual line of the run
- Modernizes the read on transitional remodels
- Can alternate with wood spindles in mixed runs
Contemporary FAQs
Common questions about the Contemporary wood stair style.
Q: Does Contemporary work with a curved stair?
We don't typically pair Contemporary with a curve — the curve adds traditional vocabulary that fights the clean-line aesthetic. If you want a curved Contemporary build, we'd recommend a flared bottom step instead, keeping the run itself straight.
Q: What's the most-requested wood species for Contemporary?
Walnut, charcoal-stained, by a wide margin. White oak with a clear satin finish is the second-most. Painted poplar shows up on tighter-budget contemporary projects.
Browse every profile we carry.
Two full product catalogs — wood and iron. Flip through the whole line, mark what you like, and bring it to your first call.
Ready when you are
Custom stairs and railings, built in Whitehall.
Custom stairs and railings, built by a family of Pennsylvania craftsmen for nearly forty years. We'll give you a realistic budget on the first call — not a teaser, not a pressure-close. Get in touch, or send a few photos.
Budget on the first call · (610) 443-2240 · Whitehall, PA
