Which Kind Of Wood Is Best For Outside Steps?

The choice of wood for exterior steps depends on the design of the stairs and their surroundings, the environment in which they are being built, and the aesthetic preferences of the homeowner. Pressure-treated lumber is the best type of wood for outdoor steps because it is resistant to rot and decay. Gravel and concrete will be used to create a stable foundation for the steps, with wood screws and glue being used.

When calculating costs, consider the size of the stairs, the type of wood used, and the materials for the railings. Be aware of code requirements before starting your project and check the local deck stairs. There are two types of wood commonly considered to be the best choice for outdoor wooden stairs: Cedar and Redwood. However, once you find a proper sealant and are ready to invest some time and effort into maintenance, you can choose from a much more comprehensive range of woods.

For outdoor stairs, opt for rot-resistant wood species like cedar, redwood, or pressure-treated lumber. These woods can withstand exposure to heat and moisture. Most use either pressure treated or cedar, but other species would be okay depending on what is available to you locally.

The number one choice for outside deck stairs is treated lumber, as it resists rot better than hardwood stairs and other materials. Cedar treads and risers give steps a slightly more refined look, while rough cedar will last almost as long as treated wood. Smooth cedar has a more durable and cost-effective option.

In summary, choosing the right wood for exterior steps depends on various factors such as design, environment, and aesthetic preferences. Pressure-treated lumber is a cost-effective and durable option that can withstand exposure to heat and moisture, making it an ideal choice for outdoor projects.

What material is best for outdoor steps?

Outdoor stairs require durability due to harsh weather conditions and heavy foot traffic. Concrete and stone are the gold standards for durability, offering resistance and minimal maintenance over decades. Composite decking materials, designed to withstand fading, staining, and rotting better than traditional wood, offer a balance of aesthetic appeal and resilience. Galvanized steel, treated to resist corrosion and rust, is an industrial-strength solution for outdoor stairs, particularly suitable for extreme weather conditions. Although not as natural-looking as wood or stone, metal’s longevity and minimal maintenance requirements make it an attractive option for modern and minimalist designs.

What is the best wood to use for exterior steps?

Woods like Cedar, Douglas Fir, Pine, Teak, and Black Locust are ideal for outdoor wood projects due to their strong resistance to rot and other characteristics. Yellow pine, a dense variety of pine trees, is a popular choice for wood flooring and stairs projects due to its durability and ability to grow in various climates. It is harder than other types of wood, making it suitable for wood flooring and stairs construction.

Yellow pine is also one of the most affordable and economic choices for wood projects due to its overall functionality and affordability. It can withstand harsh climates, temperatures, woodworking tools, cutting, staining, and glue. Woodworkers often prefer Yellow Pine over White Pine due to its overall workability, rot resistance, and density. This makes it a great choice for both indoor and outdoor wood stairs projects.

In summary, choosing the right wood for wood stairs can be a daunting task, but with careful consideration of factors such as location, staining, budget, and other factors, you can find the perfect wood for your project.

How do you make outdoor wood steps slip resistant?

Grit paint is a high-quality enamel or epoxy paint that can enhance the safety of outdoor wood stairs. It contains an aggregate that creates traction, and the best anti-slip paints contain aluminum oxide or carborundum, creating a rough, slip-resistant surface. The effectiveness of grip paint is high in wet weather, frost, and snow. The longevity of grip paint depends on the quality of the paint and proper application.

If the wood is in good shape, cleaned and prepared properly, and the paint is applied according to instructions, it can last 2 to 5 years under normal consumer traffic. However, if living in snowy areas, it is crucial not to aggressively shovel the stairs painted with grit paint. The thin paint layer covering the aggregate will quickly degrade once scraped away.

Should I use pressure treated wood for outdoor stairs?

The author presents a differing opinion regarding the video’s suggestions and proposes the use of pressure-treated lumber for the construction of exterior wooden stairs. They counsel prudence, eschew potential failures or injuries, and conserve financial resources on materials rather than on a hastily conceived undertaking for two.

What is the best finish for exterior wood stairs?

Polyurethane is the optimal finish for wood stair treads due to its robust protection and diverse sheen options. In contrast, oil, varnish, or carpet stair treads ensure a visually appealing and safe staircase.

How long will pressure-treated wood stairs last?

Wood is a popular building material for exterior decks and stairs in the United States, with pressure-treated wood stairs expected to last 15-30 years. However, moisture from the outside can significantly reduce the longevity of these stairs and create hazardous slip and fall conditions. Slips and falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide, with an average of 684, 000 people dying each year from fall-related injuries.

To prevent these hazards, it is crucial to understand and prevent the most common causes of fall injuries on outdoor wood stairs. Moisture can cause warping, bowing, and bent stair treads, which can lead to dangerous trips and falls. Bowed wood steps also prevent water from draining properly and can harbor a “bowl” of water, which can cause a life-threatening slip. Therefore, it is essential to address these issues to ensure the safety of outdoor wood stairs.

What should never be done with pressure-treated wood?

Pressure-treated wood should not be used for food containers or cutting boards, and even playsets should be protected with a sealant. Workers should wear gloves, protective clothing, respirators, and goggles when working with pressure-treated wood. Wash clothes exposed to treated lumber separately and avoid burning it. Applying an oil-based primer and protective sealant can limit pesticide exposure from skin contact, dust, or rain, using sealants labeled as safe for pressure-treated lumber.

What is the best timber for outdoor stair treads?

When selecting a timber type for your staircase, it’s crucial to consider factors such as appearance, color, and weather resistance. Some timbers may not be suitable for certain jobs, especially in the location of your staircase. Some timbers can withstand better weather conditions than others. External timbers like Merbau, Jarrah, Spotted Gum, and Treated Pine are recommended, while internal timbers like Pine, Ply, Vic Ash, Iron Bark, Spotted Gum, Blackwood, Blackbutt, Sydney Blue Gum, and American Oak are recommended.

Another factor to consider is available sizing and quality. Some timbers may not be available in the required sizes for your staircase, and other timbers like Stringy Bark and Wormy Chestnut are not recommended due to their high feature and knots, which can cause weak spots in your staircase. Therefore, it’s essential to choose the right timber type for your staircase’s longevity.

What wood holds up best outdoors?

Outdoor furniture is a popular choice for various purposes, including patio sets, porch swings, and tree houses. However, not all wood species are suitable for outdoor use. Some species, like Black Locust and Bois D’Arc, rot slower than others due to their physical barriers called tyloses, which prevent moisture from penetrating the wood and block insects and organisms from penetrating it. When working with wood for outdoor projects, heartwood is recommended over sapwood, as heartwood is the stronger inner-most wood of the tree and often consists of the majority of a stem’s cross-section.

Acacia is a thick, strong hardwood with high oil content, resistant to elements, rotting, and insects. Acacia is abundant and affordable, making it an excellent option for those considering the environmental impact of their furniture. It is durable, resists the elements well, and is often used in boat-building due to its abundance and resistance to water. Once sealed, acacia is a rich, dark, golden brown. However, it should be kept off the grass or ground as it may absorb moisture.

Black Locust is one of the strongest and stiffest domestic woods, competing with Hickory for the title of strongest but offering more stability and rot resistance. It is moderately easy to work with, with a moderate blunting effect on cutting edges and good weathering characteristics. It responds well to both lathe turning and steam bending, glues and finishes well, and can be an affordable wood with great uniform patterns for tables or benches.

In summary, there are many wood species available for outdoor furniture, but only a select few are suitable for outdoor use. Acacia, Black Locust, Cedar, Cypress, Douglas-Fir, Ipe, Redwood, and Teak are some of the most popular and suitable wood species for outdoor furniture projects.

Can I use 2×12 for exterior stair treads?

Stair treads are horizontal boards used to step on, typically made of 2×12 or 2x6s decking boards. They must be spaced properly to support the chosen board size. A stringer is a wide board that runs at an angle from the landing pad to the deck framing and supports the treads. Risers are boards installed on the ends to cover the vertical spaces between the treads, typically made of fascia board or decking material.

A stair tread is the width or depth of a single stair run, while a stair rise is the vertical distance from the top of one tread to the top of the next tread. The total run is the overall horizontal distance that the stringer travels, while the total rise is a stairway’s overall change in height from the landing pad to the decking.

Building deck stairs requires various tools and materials, including bar clamps, circular saw, drill, framing square, hammer, jig saw, level, measuring tape, paintbrush, pencil, safety glasses, scissors, shovel, sledgehammer, speed square, stakes, upside-down marking paint, and utility knife. Investing in high-quality materials is crucial for a stairway to stand the test of time.

Should I use oak or pine for stair treads?

Pine is a suitable wood for stair treads due to its durability and longevity, making it a popular choice for homes with centuries-old floors. It doesn’t necessarily need to match hardwood floors, as choosing a wood or stain color that complements your hardwood floors can make your stairs a visual focal point. Carlisle Wide Plank Floors is a top source for quality stair treads, having handcrafted wide plank floors and stair treads for over 50 years.

Their artisan woodworkers are perfectionists, focusing on every detail, from hand-selecting planks and treads to stain color and texture treatment. They fashion your floor in the same way they create all their extraordinary surfaces, one plank at a time.