| Benefits Of Using Treated
Lumber
1. It could last longer, depending upon how the lumber was actually
treated and how the stairway was constructed. Treated lumber is
generally used in areas where moisture could be a problem. A good
example of this would be bottom framing plates, used to frame walls, for
new buildings.
Disadvantages
1. I said that it could last longer, but if the stairway wasn't built
correctly or if it's exposed to moisture for a long period of time,
you're going to end up with the same problems you would have, using
regular construction standard lumber. Treated lumber does rot and
believe it or not I've seen termites, tear it up.
2. Treated lumber can be extremely rough and if you're walking down one
of these stairways, with bare feet, you could end up with some
splinters. It's not uncommon to find these stairways down by the beach,
where people actually walk around, in their bare feet.
I've never used treated lumber for stair treads and hopefully I never
will. They aren't attractive, they're too rough and there is no
guarantee that they will last any longer than other types of lumber.
If the stairway is built correctly and the area around the stairway
doesn't have any drainage or moisture problems, almost any set of stairs
will last, for many years. The key to a long-lasting stairway is good
maintenance.
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