Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Feb 10, 2004 07:37pm | #1

   If the treads are pine I'd suggest considering running a rug down the center of the treads.  Stairs take a ton of abuse, and no matter how they are finished, pine treads will get dinged, scratched and worn quickly.  The problem is that the wood itself is soft and no finish can compensate for the softness.

   John W.

1. 
   trehahn | Feb 10, 2004 07:53pm | #2

   I would have to agree with that. One thing I forgot to mention, these stairs will not be used often. We only opened it up, for comsetic reasons. We occasionally go upstairs, but not very often. The only ones that use the stairs are the cats, to go play up there. Its one big open room, which we'll use for company when/if we have any. Should make it the master bedroom, warmest room in the house and overlooks Lake Erie LOL. Thanks for the reply.

1. 
   jackplane | Feb 11, 2004 09:52pm | #3

   Although pine is soft, as mentioned, your question is how to prevent the poly from providing too slick a surface.

     You can add small amounts of sand as you coat the stairs, or you could apply a 3M griptape on the tread edge. While pine is not as durable as other woods,pine stair treads are common.

1. 
   trehahn | Feb 11, 2004 10:35pm | #4

   Good suggestion. I do like the idea of the carpet, I think it looks nice, but I also like the look of real wood too. Both are great suggestions, I appreciate the input.

   Tim

1. 
   AlbionWood | Feb 12, 2004 04:35am | #5

   I wonder if you couldn't "toughen up" that pine with some penetrating epoxy.  Then finish over that with Poly or whatever, and put down some of those safety strips for traction.  They might not be as attractive to look at, but wood steps are pretty slippery in stocking feet."Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler."  A. Einstein

   http://www.albionworks.net

2. 
   trehahn | Feb 12, 2004 05:12am | #6

   Yeah, thats what I'm worried about. We rarely use the stairs, so I don't think soft pine will be a problem, but poly on them will LOL

   Tim

2. 
   mike4244 | Feb 13, 2004 01:29am | #7

   Tim, are speaking of yellow pine? If so,shellac is an excellent finish for stairs. If you want an aged pine finish, use orange shellac. Cut it to a 1 1/2 lb cut, brush at least three coats on. The more coats the darker the finish, five coats is what I generally put on.

   mike

1. 
   trehahn | Feb 13, 2004 05:27am | #8

   They are standard 2x12s, just picked out nice looking boards.

   Tim

1. 
   Clay | Feb 13, 2004 02:36pm | #9

   While it is true that wood stairs can be slippery in socks they give sufficient traction for anyone with shoes on.  I find that carpet while softer and offering good traction is also much more dangerous than a hard stair surface.  The  problem with carpet is that it makes the tread edges fuzzy and rounded which can lead to slipping.  Carpet also can be very slick when wearing hard soled shoes especially if you step on the outer edges of the treads.  Don't worry about the hardness of the wood.  Since you used 2x12 stock it is likely SYP which is perfectly serviceable wood for stair treads.  Satin or matte poly has silicates (flour sand) added as flatteners (also sometimes beeswax) which make it less slippery but also less durable.I'd just do a stain coat and a thinned coat of clear gloss poly.  That way the finish will mostly be absorbed into the wood and the surface will still retain some texture and traction.  Such a finish will be vulnerable to wearing but can also be easily repaired and/or recoated when needed.

3. 
   BG | Feb 13, 2004 03:57pm | #10

   Tim,

   My contractor used Glitza Gold on the kitchen floor, front hall and stairway.  It is toxic and had to be applied with respirators and no one in the house for 48 hours.  After ten years of heavy use with my three kids....and me walking those stairs with leather soled shoes....not a scratch....unbelievable.  Some say that a product called 'Traffic' is even better.  Slippery was never an issue....and nothing covered the wood..