06-03-2007, 04:25 AM
Common stair run and rise is 7-11", rise being 7" and run 11'. Run is the step length and rise is the height of each step. the runner, (side board for holding steps) should be made of a 2x14 for strength and durability. It's been a while and can't recall if you can cut the run and rise out of a 2x12, I've always used 2x14 in the past. Be sure that whatever wood you use is designed for ground contact, whether you build in on a concrete pad or not.. Common consideration to keep in mind regarding termites is, to limit woods that might get into below 2' near the ground. Personally I am not very satisfied with (yeah what you said, toucano, ha ha, i am just getting used to this type of product, name uses etc.. verses types of CCA, or copper treated ground contacts,) " HI-BOR" treatments, especially for ground contact, (for all termite considerations i know of anything within two feet of the ground). From what I understand " HI-BOR" is simply a boric acid type of treatment and it IS water soluble. You must keep it covered with some type of paint where it is exposed to rain or weather..
As quoted from the USDA Treated Forest products;
Borate Preservatives
Borate preservatives are sodium salts, such as sodium octaborate, sodium tetraborate, and sodium pentaborate, that are dissolved in water. Borate preservatives have received a lot of attention in recent years because they are inexpensive and have low mammalian toxicity. Borate-treated wood is also odorless and colorless and may be painted or stained. Borates are effective preservatives against decay fungi and insects. Borate preservatives are diffusible, and with appropriate treating practices they can achieve excellent penetration in species that are difficult to treat with other preservatives. Borate preservatives are standardized by the AWPA but only for applications that are not exposed to liquid water. The borate in the wood remains water soluble and readily leaches out in soil or rainwater. Borate-treated wood should be used only in applications where
Edited by - Jeffhale on 06/03/2007 09:20:00
As quoted from the USDA Treated Forest products;
"
Borate Preservatives
Borate preservatives are sodium salts, such as sodium octaborate, sodium tetraborate, and sodium pentaborate, that are dissolved in water. Borate preservatives have received a lot of attention in recent years because they are inexpensive and have low mammalian toxicity. Borate-treated wood is also odorless and colorless and may be painted or stained. Borates are effective preservatives against decay fungi and insects. Borate preservatives are diffusible, and with appropriate treating practices they can achieve excellent penetration in species that are difficult to treat with other preservatives. Borate preservatives are standardized by the AWPA but only for applications that are not exposed to liquid water. The borate in the wood remains water soluble and readily leaches out in soil or rainwater. Borate-treated wood should be used only in applications where
the wood is kept free from rainwater, standing water, and ground contact.
An example of such a use is in the construction of wooden buildings in areas of high termite hazard. Borates are also used in fire-retardant treatments."
Edited by - Jeffhale on 06/03/2007 09:20:00