I’m looking at replacing the floor of our covered front porch with T&G Ipe and I’d like to use the same wood on the porch steps. Am I better off using a single piece of 2 x 12 for the treads or should I use 2 pieces of 2×6 leaving a small gap for water to fall through?
Aesthetically speaking I prefer the single piece, but I am concerned that large a piece might want to cup over time.
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Replies
I lean towards the two 2x6.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"Success is not spontaneous combustion, you have to set yourself on Fire"
As do I.
One thing to consider is what thickness is on the porch steps already. If it is 1X stock then 2X stock is going to throw off the rise on the first and last step.
Existing is 2X.
I would look into using 5/4 or 1x because 2x Ipe is going through the roof pricewise.
I'd use 2 pcs also.
IPE does cup.
I have never seen T&G IPE.
Love IPE and Massaranduba though.
Local mill gets it from somewhere down south. I've yet to see it but plan on making a trip to their warehouse as soon as they get another order.
Didn't you do this at your SILs?
I did - slotted 5/4 X 6 deck boards - I used about two and a half for the treads; one and a half for the risers - faced the rip forward instead of the slot. Face-screwed in predrilled/csk holes with SS screws.
I like wider than 11" for the tread. Don't have any good pix - finished at night in the rain, then drove down to Solomons.
View Image
Forrest
Edited 3/2/2008 7:59 pm ET by McDesign