Common Types Of Wooden Stair Stringers

4 Common Types Of Wooden Stair Stringers

The market is awash with different wood stringer varieties and options. The stringers work as the backbone of the deck stairs. They are usually in the form of notched wood that runs the entire length of the staircase. The common options include the untreated wood, pressure-treated wood or go for pre-cut wood that is easy to install. Here are the four common types of stringers in details.

 Pre-Cut Stair Stringers 

Pre-cut stringers are common with Do It Yourself installers. Given that every piece needs to be put in place to enhance then stability and prevent it from creaking, the most sellers offer precut pieces to make installation a lot easier. You only need to give the measurements of your stairs to the seller, and he or she will get you the very best solution for your need.

Uncut Stair Stringers

You can also buy uncut stringers and cut them as you install them onto your staircase. They are also ideal in cases where the height from one floor to the other is an unusual size. Since the wood comes in different grades, you need to select the grade that best meets your need and the quality requirement.

In addition, ensure that the wood does not have many knots. It should also be straight. Cut the first stringer to size and according to the right specification. Then, use it to cut the rest of the stringers for the entire length.

Pressure Treated Stair Stringers 

These stringers are commonly used in decks and outdoor stairs. Pressure treatment helps the wood fight against rotting and termites for a long period. The wood is so durable such that some sellers give more than a lifetime warranty. Pressure treated stringers are more popular than their natural wood counterparts as it is very economical. However, even with pressure treatment, you may find some defects in the wood that include excessive knots and splits.

Metal Stair Stringers

Metal is not wood. However, it has become very common in the recent past due to the obvious advantages over wood stringers. It also has a few disadvantages. The first advantage is that it comes with molded notches and not cut ones. The stringers are also easy to install.

However, they are only limited to indoor use. This is because most types of metals used rot when exposed to moisture. Therefore, the indoor environment provides a good environment for the metal to stay dry and free from moisture and other outdoor elements.

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