Hardwood acceptable for garage->kitchen stairs?
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Hardwood acceptable for garage->kitchen stairs?
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....
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....
Chris
- JPG
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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).

IN ANY EVENT it would be an improvement over OSB!!!!!:D
Seal with a durable finish(varnish comes to mind).
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
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Last edited by judaspre1982 on Sat May 20, 2017 1:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Last edited by judaspre1982 on Sat May 20, 2017 1:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- dusty
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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.
"Making Sawdust Safely"
Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.
Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.
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.
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.
Octogenarian's have an earned right to be a curmudgeon.
Chuck in Lancaster, CA
Chuck in Lancaster, CA