Clare Posted November 22, 2018 Share Posted November 22, 2018 (edited) Hi there. My husband and I are about to start converting the loft space above our cartlodge and were looking for advice regarding external staircases. We want to have an oak outside staircase but realise that green oak will shrink and move over time and that might affect it's stability. Kiln dried oak is incredibly expensive. Do any users have experience with oak external staircases? many thanks! Edited November 22, 2018 by Clare Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted November 22, 2018 Share Posted November 22, 2018 Welcome ! Sounds like a challenge - have you considered using steel with oak treads..? Would be more stable and if the oak weathers over time it would be easily replaced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamieled Posted November 22, 2018 Share Posted November 22, 2018 I don't think you'd want to use kiln dried wood externally as you'd be taking from a kiln dried, low moisture atmosphere into a higher moisture (assuming you're in the UK) atmosphere - the wood will want to re-absorb external moisture which negates some of the kiln drying benefit. Rather than green oak (not dried), why not use air dried timber in combination with Peter's suggestion above - it should have a moisture content which is more at equilibrium with where you want to use it and so should reduce the risk of shrinking/twisting in the wood. Also, there are plenty of other kinds of wood which have a nice finish and can be used externally, so if cost is an issue, don't be fixated on oak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe90 Posted November 22, 2018 Share Posted November 22, 2018 +1 on steel with oak treads, handrail etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeSharp01 Posted November 22, 2018 Share Posted November 22, 2018 +1 dont use kiln dried but there are loads of examples of oak external stairs - they do move and split but provided you get the grain going in the right direction they won't warp too much. It might also depend on the external environment a bit. If it's wet / wooded / north facing then it will very soon grow algi and get slimy which can be a problem. If open / south facing it should be fine. So if using steel with treads you need to watch out for this or buy a jet washer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clare Posted November 22, 2018 Author Share Posted November 22, 2018 Thanks all. I’m really enjoying reading your responses. Would happily avoid kiln dried due to cost so pleased to hear it may not be the best option in any case. The structure is already clad in weathered oak so ideally we’d want the staircase to match it ultimately in look. I assume other hardwood options would have quite a different appearance. Steel definitely has its benefits but it is on the front facade of the house and driveway and I want to avoid the ‘fire escape’ look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted November 22, 2018 Share Posted November 22, 2018 Spiral staircase ..?? Wooden treads..? Would look very nice ..! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe90 Posted November 22, 2018 Share Posted November 22, 2018 Black painted steel and wood?. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now