Made to measure in solid oak — the most popular choice for UK homeowners. Every staircase is designed and manufactured to your exact specifications.
Most PopularA bespoke oak staircase is designed and manufactured to the exact dimensions of one home, rather than bought as a standard-size kit. DAB Stairs makes them in our Hertford workshop in solid or engineered oak, with 22mm or 32mm treads, closed or cut strings, and a choice of oak, black metal or glass balustrades. Every design is drawn in CAD and approved by you before manufacture, and the supply lead time is 2–3 weeks from approved drawings.
Oak is the most popular hardwood for UK staircases because it is dense, hard-wearing and takes a natural finish well, so the grain stays on show rather than being painted or carpeted. If you plan to paint or carpet, our softwood staircases cost less. DAB Stairs is a family-run, supply-only manufacturer, making staircases since 1984: we deliver pre-assembled or flat pack to site anywhere in the UK, ready for your own joiner or builder.
| Tread thickness | 22mm or 32mm |
|---|---|
| String depth | 240–260mm |
| String type | Closed or cut string |
| Balustrade | Oak spindles, black metal spindles or glass |
| Lead time | 2–3 weeks from approved drawings |
| Supplied | Pre-assembled or flat pack |
Configurations
When you choose DAB Stairs for your oak staircase project, you benefit from:
Dimensions
Every oak staircase we make is designed to Approved Document K. For a domestic stair, that means:
| Rise per step | 150–220mm |
|---|---|
| Going per tread | 220–300mm |
| Maximum pitch | 42° |
| 2 × rise + going | 550–700mm |
| Handrail height | 900–1000mm |
| Balustrade gaps | No 100mm sphere can pass |
| Headroom | 2.0m minimum |
Building bespoke oak staircases requires precision and experience. We’ve been manufacturing custom oak stairs since 1984, combining traditional joinery techniques with modern CAD technology.
Our oak staircase design process starts with understanding your space and requirements. Send us your measurements using our measuring guide, or book a site survey (£200*, credited against your order). We turn the measurements into detailed CAD drawings and a 3D visualisation for you to approve before manufacture begins.
Every component is inspected before delivery, and all our oak staircases meet current UK building regulations.
We build oak staircases in every configuration to suit your space — from simple straight flights to winder designs and fully curved staircases.
The simplest and most economical option. Ideal for narrow hallways and standard layouts.
A space-efficient design that changes direction by 90° — ideal for corner positions.
Changes direction by 180° with a flat landing — great for splitting longer rises.
Space-saving winder steps that eliminate the need for a landing in a compact footprint.
We manufacture in both solid and engineered oak. Both use real oak timber — the difference is in the construction. We’ll advise which is the better fit for your project when you get in touch.
Solid Oak
Cut from a single piece of timber throughout. The traditional choice — heavy, stable, and visually consistent. Ideal for exposed treads, newel posts, and handrails where you want the full natural grain visible.
Engineered Oak
A real oak veneer over a stable core. Engineered oak is less susceptible to movement caused by changes in temperature and humidity, making it a practical option in centrally heated homes.
Character grade
Natural knots, varied grain and tonal movement. Every staircase looks different — suits traditional and rustic interiors.
Prime grade
Consistent colour with minimal knots and cleaner lines. Suits contemporary and minimal interiors. Both grades are equally strong.
As a hardwood, oak is significantly denser and more resistant to dents, scratches, and daily wear than pine or redwood. It’s the natural choice for exposed-wood finishes. Softwood is more economical and ideal if you’re planning to carpet or paint.
| Timber | Relative cost | Durability | Movement | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid oak | Highest | Very hard-wearing; resists dents and scuffs | Can move with seasonal humidity | Exposed treads, newels and handrails with full natural grain |
| Engineered oak | Mid | Hard-wearing oak surface layer | Most stable in centrally heated homes | Wide treads and homes with underfloor heating |
| Softwood (redwood / MDF) | Lowest | Softer; marks more easily | Stable once painted | Painted or carpeted staircases |
A bespoke oak staircase from DAB Stairs costs from £2,000 ex VAT, supply only. Every staircase is made to measure and quoted individually from your measurements and drawings, and delivered ready for your own joiner or builder.
| Configuration | Guide price (ex VAT) |
|---|---|
| Straight flight | £2,000–£4,000+ |
| Quarter turn, half landing or winder | £3,000–£6,000+ |
Configuration
A straight flight is the most economical starting point. Quarter-turn, half-landing, and winder configurations add complexity and cost. Curved staircases are our most labour-intensive option.
Solid vs Engineered
Both solid and engineered oak are real timber — engineered oak uses a structural core with a real oak surface layer, which can affect material cost.
Timber Grade
Prime grade oak, with its consistent colour and few knots, costs more than character grade because less of each board is usable.
Balustrade Type
Traditional timber spindles are the most economical. Contemporary black metal spindles and glass panels (frameless or semi-frameless) increase the cost accordingly.
Bespoke Dimensions
Non-standard widths, extra-deep treads, or unusual floor-to-floor heights are all achievable — they require additional material and machining time.
Prices are a guide for an oak staircase rising one floor, supply only and excluding VAT, and depend on design and specification. Last reviewed October 2026.
Every staircase is unique. Here are a few recent oak projects that show the range of what we manufacture.
LondonA curved timber staircase with oak handrails, built for a home in London. This case study shows the design process, joinery details and the finished staircase.
HertfordshireBespoke Oak Staircase Hertfordshire: Premium Timber Manufacturing
LondonCase Study: Bespoke Oak Staircase with Glass Balustrade for London Home Renovation
We supply oak staircases throughout Hertfordshire, Essex, and London, with our service covering the home counties and nationwide. Both residential and commercial projects are welcome, from single-family homes to larger developments.
Every bespoke oak staircase can be supplied pre-assembled or flat pack and delivered direct to site, wherever you are in the UK.
Hertfordshire
St Albans, Watford, Hemel Hempstead, and surrounding areas
Essex
Chelmsford, Colchester, Southend, and the wider county
London
All boroughs with regular deliveries across the capital
Home Counties
Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Cambridgeshire
Everything you need to know before ordering a bespoke oak staircase from us.
Full FAQLast updated
Our hardwood oak staircases are ready for collection or delivery within 2–3 weeks from approved drawings. Complex configurations or curved staircases may take slightly longer. We will confirm your exact lead time when you receive your quote.
Yes — every staircase we manufacture is designed to meet current UK Building Regulations, including correct rise and going measurements, handrail heights (900mm minimum for domestic use), and balustrade spindle spacing (no gap exceeding 99mm). We can provide the technical documentation your building inspector requires.
Character grade oak has natural knots, varied grain, and tonal movement — each staircase is visually unique and suits homes that want warmth and personality. Prime grade is more consistent, with minimal knots and cleaner lines, which suits contemporary or minimal interiors. Both grades are equally durable and structural.
Yes. We supply throughout Hertfordshire, Essex, London, and the Home Counties, with nationwide delivery available across the UK. Staircases can be supplied pre-assembled or flat pack and are delivered direct to site or to your installer.
We need: floor-to-floor height, floor thickness, total width available, and your preferred configuration. We provide a detailed measuring guide with every enquiry, and our team can advise if needed. If you would rather we measured, we offer an on-site survey and design consultation for £200 + VAT, fully credited against your staircase order.
Yes. Our oak staircases are compatible with a range of balustrade systems — traditional timber spindles, contemporary black metal spindles, and frameless or semi-frameless glass panels. We'll advise on the right system for your design and structural requirements.
No — DAB Stairs is a supply-only manufacturer. We produce your staircase to your exact specification and deliver it ready to be assembled by your joiner or builder. This keeps our prices competitive and ensures you get the best from both a specialist manufacturer and your trusted tradesperson.
A bespoke straight-flight oak staircase from DAB Stairs costs £2,000–£4,000+ ex VAT, supply only. Quarter-turn, half-landing and winder designs cost £3,000–£6,000+ ex VAT. The final price depends on design and specification: solid or engineered oak, timber grade, balustrade type and any non-standard dimensions. Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote — we aim to respond within one working day.
Looking for something different? We manufacture a full range of bespoke timber staircases and doors to suit every home.
Pine & RedwoodEngineered redwood and MDF — perfect for painting or carpeting. A cost-effective and versatile alternative.
Loft ConversionsMade-to-measure staircases for loft conversions. Standard and space-saving paddle flight options available.
DoorsBespoke Accoya and hardwood doors crafted to your specification. Purpose-made to your exact requirements.
Get in touch below. Our team is ready to help bring your vision to life — from first sketch to final supply, throughout London, Hertfordshire, Essex and nationwide.
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