Shopsmith Forums

Hi,

I have not really "stairs" but 2 "steps" from the garage to the kitchen. They are aging OSB or some other composite wood, and are starting to look really bad.

I have enough recycled scraps of Oak (probably red oak, I think) to build these steps. They would not ever get direct rain, but they would see temps from the 10s to the 90s during the four seasons. If I account for wood expansion in the design, is oak a good wood here? Or should I go for some ultra-stable wood?

Your opinions welcome....

Oak would be great for your steps.

I find White Oak a bit harder than Red Oak. I am a bit uncertain about using Oak for an exterior applicatication. Cedar or Red Wood would be preferred.

Do you intend to replace only the threads? White oak used to be the norm for stair threads(and flooring) in 'quality' homes. No harsh weather(moisture) would probably be acceptable.

IN ANY EVENT it would be an improvement over OSB!!!!!:D

Seal with a durable finish(varnish comes to mind).

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Thanks, folks!

I appreciate your wealth of experience. I will roll it around in my head a bit more, and when some warmer weather hits I may replace those bad boys.

Oak would be fine, but anywood should be treated for moisture protection. Another good choice is hard maple. Just because it doesn't get touched by rain does not make it not pick up moisture. If you are concerned about drastic movement either us close grained or quartersawn wood.

I built a four step entry into a work trailer using recycled oak steps. It is outside in the weather all the time. It seems to be holding up well. I put two coats of polyurethane on the steps, top side as well as bottom. It is well sealed. I think that is all you would have to do.

The most outstanding feature of white oak, making it very suitable for outside use is: The vessels (the big pores) are plugged with a substance called tylosis. Tylosis prevents quicker movement of water up the pores.

A way to tell weather wood is white or red oak (besides the color, which sometimes is very similar) is to rip a piece of each wood about 12" long, submerse one end in a tub of water and blow on the other end. Red oak will make bubbles from the end under water,white oak will only get wet.