Seal end grain of outdoor stair tread?

[aaron_hoffman15]

Hey Guys,

I recently build some Red Ironbark outdoor stairs leading upto a deck I also built. My question is, do I need a special treatment to sealthe end grain of the stair treads to avoid them cracking? or is coating them in thedecking oil I was planning on using fine?

[AngelaPetruzzi]

Coating them with the decking oil you have should be fine as long as the timber is dry. If there is moisture in the timber step and you seal with a coating that does not breath, the coating will eventually crack. Whatever oil you have, make sure the rejuvenation process is easy to do later...you don't want to have to sand every time you need to touch it up.

[aaron_hoffman15]

Thanks, the timber is kiln dried so by the sounds of things the oil should be fine.

[FenceFurniture]

Thanks, the timber is kiln dried so by the sounds of things the oil should be fine.

I'd put no faith whatsoever in it being properly dried Aaron. Too often these days KD means "parked in the shade of a kiln until yesterday's rain dried off - yep, it's done". The only way you can be sure is to check it with a moisture meter.

End grain is thirsty stuff and will often absorb 2-3 times the oil (or paint) that face grain absorbs. I normally coat the ends, coat the faces, and then coat the ends again for every coat applied.