Replacing steps: overhang sides or cut flush?

[JEDI]

examples of steps Overhanging the sides:

My Current steps overhang the sides. they're rotting and needs to be replaced.

I want to cut the new step planks flush to the side so i can get 2 pieces out of a 10' long piece of wood.

Any structural problems if i cut the boards flush to the sides?

 

[Puppies04]

I can't imagine it causing any structural problems but do yourself a favour and treat the base while you have the treads off.

 

[paperfist]

Overhang.

I just redid mine last year and cut flush. I kick myself everyday as trying to finish the sides is proving to be a huge PITA.

 

[Puppies04]

Overhang.

I just redid mine last year and cut flush. I kick myself everyday as trying to finish the sides is proving to be a huge PITA.

I agree but as he asked specifically about the structural ramifications rather than potential aesthetic issues I was staying away from that point.

 

[JEDI]

Overhang.

I just redid mine last year and cut flush. I kick myself everyday as trying to finish the sides is proving to be a huge PITA.

explain?

 

[boomerang]

If you cut them flush, eventually through exposure, shrinkage and movement, the flush cut ends will tend to recede and it will look bad. The top surfaces of the end stringers will be partially exposed. This also will be a place for water to pool and hasten the eventual decay. Cutting them long is also more aesthetically pleasing.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Flush with new wet wood is going to recede, and I agree with the general opinion that you want overhang to protect your stringers. Any chance of trading the 10' for 12'?

Also, deck board is available in 6' in my area (or maybe you're using 2-by-x which generally isn't).

 

[edro]

I can't think of any issues with not overhanging.
I thought about water penetration into the stringers, but the overhang shouldn't prevent that any more than no-overhang.

I think the overhang is normal because the stringers are normally spaced evenly along the length of the stair.

 

[paperfist]

I agree but as he asked specifically about the structural ramifications rather than potential aesthetic issues I was staying away from that point.

You're right, there's no structural issues if you choose to go flush cut.

explain?

I'll try and take a picture of mine.

The problem I ran into going flush is trying to finish the sides or vertical part of the stairs has presented a problem both aesthetically and in the unintended consequences of having on-going maintenance. You see since it's flush I ran 2x6 decking up the sides which ends up having the grain exposed next to the flush cut stair treads at the top. No matter how you seal the grain water is going to get into there and it looks like ass too. If I had an overhang on the stair treads I could have tucked the vertical sides up under that and it would have gave it a more finished look as well as protected the grain from water penetration.

 

[edro]

You see since it's flush I ran 2x6 decking up the sides which ends up having the grain exposed next to the flush cut stair treads at the top. No matter how you seal the grain water is going to get into there and it looks like ass too. If I had an overhang on the stair treads I could have tucked the vertical sides up under that and it would have gave it a more finished look as well as protected the grain from water penetration.

What about the exposed stringer end grain between your treads?

 

[paperfist]

What about the exposed stringer end grain between your treads?

I don't have any

I used a full sized board so there's no gaps. I really didn't want a deck look, sadly to finish the sides (if you want to call it that) gave it the deck look

Here's my steps without the overhang on the sides:

 

[Greenman]

I don't have any

I used a full sized board so there's no gaps. I really didn't want a deck look, sadly to finish the sides (if you want to call it that) gave it the deck look

Here's my steps without the overhang on the sides:

Incorrectly done and ugly.

 

[Agent11]

Overhang, use the time saved to weather treat it.

 

[bonkers325]

wood shrinks over time as it loses moisture and will expand/contract with the seasons.

TLDR;
flush now, not-so-flush later.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Incorrectly done and ugly.

It would look a lot better and take in less water if there was some overhang to hid the vertical boards.

Being purely decorative, I really only see an aesthetic issue; they're going to degrade at the top quickly.

 

[paperfist]

Incorrectly done and ugly.

Reading comprehension not your strong point?

 

[iGas]

I would redo it with over hang to prevent premature failure due to end checking/cracking over time, and it would increase the chance of checking and cracking when the end is closer to the nail or screw. Treat the wood and paid special attention to the end would increase the useful lifespan of the wood.