2025 WFOY: Best Staircase

Henschen Hardwood, LLC | New Knoxville, Ohio

CATEGORY DETAILS:

Entries in this category include all types of staircase projects. Submissions may include new installations or overlays, in either a residential or commercial application. The Stairbuilders and Manufacturers Association (SMA) judged this category.

WHAT MAKES THIS STAIRCASE UNIQUE:

Henschen Hardwood, LLC in New Knoxville, Ohio, has earned the 2025 NWFA Best Staircase award for a timber frame project that spans decades. First envisioned in 2000 as the centerpiece of a timber frame home, the staircase’s construction paused after the original owner’s passing, leaving partial hand-drawn prints, species selections, and scattered parts. Twenty years later, the new homeowners turned to the company to complete the vision, despite initial reluctance due to the project’s complexity, which led to three declinations before acceptance.

With the help of a fellow carpenter familiar with the house, the company took on the challenge, replacing a temporary 2×4 staircase. They used Douglas fir for posts and beams, reclaimed white and red oak for stringers and treads, and cedar for spindles and handrails, crafting the structure with mortise-and-tenon joints, including scarf, knee brace, and tusk tenon joints, secured by oak wedges and pins. The small three-story space required days of collaboration with the homeowners to calculate rise and run, ensuring steps were safe and comfortable without compromising headroom.

Maneuvering 20-foot-long 8×8 beams in tight quarters was a significant challenge, with every cut double-checked to avoid wasting costly timber. Each piece was hand-scraped with various blades, draw-knifed, sanded, and finished with hand-rubbed Uroil, resulting in a seamless integration of history and craftsmanship. This staircase reflects the company’s dedication and skill, preserving the original vision while meeting the needs of the home’s new owners.

Flooring Type: Solid, Reclaimed
Flooring Finish: Professional Coatings UnoCoat Uroil
Species: Douglas Fir, White Oak, Red Oak, Cedar
Pattern: Mortise and tenon joint, scarf joint, knee brace tenon joint, tie beam to post tenon joint, tusk tenon joint
Square Feet: 30 treads