Has anyone used 8/4″ cedar for exterior stair stringers? I understand that it is weather resistant but does it have the strength for 6′ stringers? What other woods would be weather resistant and strong enoungh? I would rather not use PT because I don’t like the look and would have to wait about a year before I could paint it.
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If you don't get answers here, try Fine Homebuilding forum Breaktime, links below at the bottom of FWW page. Good luck.
I have read many times not to use cedar for structural members. If you don't want to use PT, you could use Douglas fir for the stringers. Just make sure any point coming in contact with the ground is well soaked in a high quality preservative. I would also apply that to the point where the treads contact the stringers.
Are you cutting the stringers to go under the treads or are you leaving them uncut to run along the outside of the treads and adding cleats? I've seen more rot problems with the latter method.
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