Anyone know how to attach stone(bluestone)treads to existing wood stairs? These are exterior stairs, the existing wood treads are shot. I assume that the stone needs some sort of solid substrate. The stringers are wood. One side of the stairs is attached to the house which has wood lap siding. How do you deal with water penetration at that joint? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
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Replies
It wouldn't be easy or cheap if that's what you are looking for.
The attachment to house is already wrong from the sounds of it and if the treads are shot, the stringgers are not for behind.
The bluestone is both heavier and more brittle than the wood so the stringers need to be sized and cuit with load and size in mind
That all means that the whole shebang needs replacement and re-design
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If you've only 2-6 steps, then form a solid concrete structure. Any more and I'd say forget it as impractical. Revise that, tho', as you migght be able to form a full flight using reinforced conc. But whatever, don't think of using something as 'giving' as lumber that will cause cracking of the grout and rot in the substructure.
All the best...
To those who know - this may be obvious. To those who don't - I hope I've helped.
What grout were you thinking of? He can get bluestone slabs cut to size of each tread.The problem comes in supporting it consistantly so it doesn't crack.I agree it is not worth the trouble from a practical POV, but not for all the same reasons
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
thanks for the input. I am thinking of going for solid slabs, but I have not come with a way to attach them to the wood. I was thinking possibly of using a 2 part epoxy paint on membrane, and then gluing them down with construction adhesive or thin-set mortar.
Not meaning to offend here but it sounds like you're still wanting to put the bluestone slabs on wood stringers. If I'm wrong, by all means correct me. But the point being made to you in numerous posts is that wood stringers are not an appropriate support structure for that material, at least not in the conventional sense of the word. You need a LOT more support than what wood will give you.
I know you are correct on this point. I am planning on taking a pass on this project.