The outer staircase at my mother-in-law's house is starting to fall apart, especially certain planks. I've promised to fix it. Should I just replace them all to make it a nice and uniform staircase? The house otherwise is not in top condition, so that might be a bit overkill...
Can you achieve a somewhat uniform appearance if you only replace some of the planks? I guess it should be pressure-treated? But it's not that easy to paint, especially not right away...
Just replace the decking, it's a maximum of 300 bucks in material costs and 2-3 hours of work to tear down and relay, you can also have a couple of beers in that time (unless the frame is completely rotten too, then it's a bit more work)
Just replace the decking, it's a maximum of 300 bucks in material costs and 2 - 3 hours of work to tear down and re-lay it, you can even enjoy a couple of beers in that time (unless the frame is also completely rotten, then it's a bit more work)
The frame is metal (not so visible in the pictures), and there's nothing wrong with it. I believe the biggest job will be loosening the bolts (I think there are nuts underneath).
The frame is metal (doesn't show very well in the pictures), and there's nothing wrong with it. I think the biggest job will be getting the bolts off (I think there are nuts underneath).
Is decking always pressure treated?
Mm the bolts do look a bit troublesome indeed. You should go with pressure-treated wood, yes, it costs about 13kr per linear meter. It's pretty much the cheapest wood you can find and very standard for decking.
Don't bother messing with the nuts, it's just a waste of time. Pry off the boards with a crowbar and cut the nuts with an angle grinder. Drill new holes if necessary.
Otherwise, I agree: buy pressure-treated decking, replace everything while you're at it, otherwise, the same problem will keep happening over and over.
If the bolts can't be removed in the usual way after a dose of 556, it's time to bring out the angle grinder. Cut one end and hammer it out. Don't be stingy with replacing a few boards; take them all at once.
Mother-in-law should make sure to provide beer and dinner.
There is decking made from kärnfuru that is more attractive and environmentally friendly than pressure-treated wood. Or build a mold from scrap wood, throw in some stones and rebar, and cast a concrete staircase instead!
There is decking made of heart pine that is nicer and more environmentally friendly than pressure-treated wood. Or build a mold out of scrap wood, throw in some stones and rebar, and cast a concrete staircase instead!
Considering that the rest of the house wasn't in such good condition and I perceived that the OP wanted the simplest possible solution, both heartwood (which has to be specially ordered?) and casting seem a bit overkill.
Considering that the rest of the house wasn't in such great condition and I perceived that TS wanted the simplest possible effort, both core wood (which must be custom ordered?) and even casting feel a bit overkill
I wouldn't have used pressure-treated in that case either, but instead untreated cheap timber which should last (since it's not directly on the ground) until the house is completely renovated/demolished/abandoned.
I still wouldn't have used pressure-treated wood in that case, but rather untreated cheap wood, which should hold up (as it's not directly on the ground) until the house is completely renovated/demolished/abandoned.
Considering how small the steps are, maybe he saves 50-100 SEK by buying untreated wood? If even that
Magnus E K said: