Trim, Doors & Stairs

Custom Stair Installations in Houston, TX

Hardwood treads, risers and stair rebuilds fitted tight, built to code and finished to match your floors.

A staircase is the most heavily used piece of woodwork in a two-story home, and it is usually the first thing you see from the front door. Custom stair installations replace worn carpet or builder-grade treads with solid hardwood, rebuild damaged stairs, and add the details that make a staircase look finished. Ace Kustoms fits and installs stair parts with our own crew, and we build custom pieces in our Houston shop when stock parts will not fit.

Stairs come with code requirements that matter for safety. Under the residential code used across most of Greater Houston, risers are generally limited to 7-3/4 inches high, treads must be at least 10 inches deep with a nosing of 3/4 to 1-1/4 inches when required, and riser heights within a flight should not vary by more than 3/8 inch. We measure each step carefully, because the most common problem we see is an uneven first or last riser after flooring changes.

Most stair projects include new treads and risers, often with a new railing. See our handrail and baluster installations for that part of the work, and our custom trim installations for skirt boards and the trim around the stairwell. A free in-home estimate lets us measure every step, check the stringers and talk through wood species and stain options. If new flooring is planned, have a sample handy.

Why choose Ace Kustoms for custom stair installations

Solid hardwood treads

We install solid hardwood treads, typically 1 inch or thicker, in red oak, white oak, hickory, maple or walnut. Solid treads take sanding and refinishing over the decades, unlike veneered caps or laminate overlays that wear through.

Code-aware measurements

We measure every rise and run, correct uneven first and last steps caused by flooring changes, and keep riser heights consistent within code tolerances. Consistent steps are what keep people from tripping, especially in the dark.

Tight, quiet fit

Each tread is cut and scribed to the stringer and skirt, glued with construction adhesive and fastened to prevent squeaks. A properly installed stair feels solid underfoot and stays quiet for years.

Matched to your floors

We match tread species and stain to your hardwood floors or choose a contrasting look, such as stained treads with painted risers. Matching nosings and landing treads tie the stair into the flooring for a seamless transition.

Custom parts when needed

Curved stairs, winders, bullnose starting steps and odd-sized treads are built in our shop. When stock parts do not fit, we make them, rather than forcing a standard piece into a non-standard stair.

Licensed and insured

Stairs carry real safety risk, and we treat them that way. Ace Kustoms is licensed and insured, and our own crew handles stair work from start to finish without subcontracted installers.

Styles, materials and options

Carpet-to-hardwood conversion

The most common stair project in Houston. We remove carpet and pad, cut back the old nosings, and install new hardwood treads and risers over the existing stringers, matching the new flooring on the landing and upstairs.

Painted risers with stained treads

White or colored painted risers paired with stained hardwood treads give a classic, crisp look. Painted risers also hide scuffs better than stained ones, and can be easily touched up as needed.

Open-riser and floating stairs

Modern open-riser stairs with thick treads on steel or concealed stringers. Open risers must not allow a 4-inch sphere to pass through, so we plan riser gaps and tread thickness to meet that requirement.

Curved and winder stairs

Curved stairs and winder treads at turns require custom-cut treads that follow the curve. Winders need at least 6 inches of tread depth at the narrow end and consistent walkline depth, which we lay out carefully.

Bullnose starting steps

A bullnose or curved starting step at the bottom of the stair widens the entry and gives the newel post a strong base. These are built in our shop and fitted to the existing stringer layout.

Stair lighting

Recessed riser lights or LED strips under tread nosings improve nighttime safety and add a dramatic look. A licensed electrician handles wiring, and we coordinate the light placement with the tread and riser installation.

Curved staircase with a wood handrail and iron balusters

Floating staircase with LED step lighting and a glass rail

Staircase trim with a stained handrail and iron balusters

Our process

Measure and inspection. We measure every rise and run, check stringers for soundness, look at the existing railing and note flooring transitions. We flag any code issues, such as uneven risers or missing handrails.
Design and selection. You choose wood species, stain or paint, nosing profile and any custom features such as a bullnose step or lighting. We confirm how the stairs will meet floors at the top and bottom.
Shop preparation. We cut and prepare treads and risers, build custom parts such as winders or bullnose steps, and pre-finish where it makes sense to reduce time on site.
Installation. Our crew removes old coverings, prepares the stringers, scribes and installs each tread and riser with adhesive and fasteners, and installs skirt boards, nosings and trim.
Finish and walkthrough. Site-finished stairs are sanded, stained and coated with a durable floor finish. We walk the stairs with you, check for squeaks and explain cure times before normal use.

What affects the cost

The number of steps and whether there are landings or winders set the base scope.
Wood species affects cost, with red oak typically less expensive than white oak, hickory or walnut.
Curved, winder and bullnose steps require custom shop work and more installation time.
Stringer repairs, riser height corrections and removing old stair parts add labor.
Finish choice, including staining to match floors and site finishing, adds time and material.

As a general planning range, a straight carpet-to-hardwood stair conversion in Greater Houston often runs about $150 to $350 per step for treads, risers and finishing, so a typical 14-step stair may land roughly between $2,500 and $5,500 before railing work. Curved stairs and custom parts cost more. Get a written estimate after an in-home measure.

Built for Houston conditions

Many Houston two-story homes have stairs built over a slab with a first riser that sits directly on concrete, and flooring changes on that slab often throw off the first step height. We measure and correct this so the first riser matches the rest. Humidity causes wood to move, so we acclimate hardwood treads in the home before installation and leave room for seasonal expansion at the skirt. Builder-grade stairs in the area are often built with stringers and pine or particleboard treads intended for carpet, which need inspection before hardwood goes on. Stairwell walls in two-story homes can be tall, so we plan scaffolding or ladders safely around them.

Custom Stair Installations FAQs

Can carpeted stairs be converted to hardwood?

Yes, in most homes. We remove the carpet and pad, cut back the old nosings, and install new solid hardwood treads and risers over the existing stringers. We check the framing first and correct any uneven risers so the new stair is consistent from top to bottom.

What are the code requirements for stair risers and treads?

Under the residential code commonly used in the Houston area, risers are generally limited to 7-3/4 inches, treads must be at least 10 inches deep, and riser heights in a flight should not vary by more than 3/8 inch. Local requirements can differ, so we confirm what applies to your home.

Why does my bottom step feel different?

It is usually because flooring was added or removed at the bottom or top, changing that step's height. A riser that is half an inch taller or shorter than the others is a common tripping hazard. We measure and adjust so all risers match within code tolerance.

Should stair treads match my floors?

It looks best when the treads match or deliberately contrast with the floor. Many homeowners match species and stain, while others choose stained treads with painted risers. We bring samples and can stain test pieces on site to compare with your floors.

How long does a stair project take?

A straight carpet-to-hardwood conversion usually takes two to four days for installation and another two to three days for site finishing and curing. Custom curved stairs and railing work extend the timeline. We provide a schedule and advise when the stairs can be used.

Do you install railings too?

Yes. Most stair projects include new or updated handrails, balusters and newel posts. Doing both at the same time is efficient and ensures the railing works with the new treads. Call (281) 660-3903 to schedule a free estimate for your stair and railing project.