New oak treads stained with espresso wiping stain and finished with three layers of satin oil-based polyurethane for ultimate durability. Prefab risers painted satin white oil-based enamel for durability. Had to stack two pre-primed pine 1×2’s to compensate for larger than typical stair size, sealed any gaps with caulk before painting for uniformity.
Banister made from 4, 2x6x6 decking boards, the best quality tight-grain quarter sawn cedar the ole depot had in stock. After observing the terrible checking and splitting in the depot 4×4 posts, I ripped two of the decking boards and laminated them to themselves to make 2, 2-3/8″x 3″ posts. Then I ripped one down to 1″x2-3/8″ glueing it to a second 1-1/2 x 2″ piece to make the top rail. Made a bottom rail with the remaining board, and pre-drilled banister holes after dusting off the old calculator and trigonometry skills to find the correct angle. Sanded thoroughly to 320 grit, and coated liberally with fractionated coconut oil (MCT oil), and sealed with our cutting board balm (5 parts MCT oil, 1 part beeswax, 10-20 drops orange essential oil) and hand-buffed smooth.
Balusters made from 36″ x 3/4″ concrete form pins, coated with rust-converter (Spray OSPHO) and then painted with three coats of semi-gloss black rustoleum protective enamel. Drifted a finish nail through both ends of two balusters located 10″ left and right of center to lock the banister’s top rail down and keep the balusters in place.
This was a challenging job, requiring much patience and precision, that reinforced the necessity to stay focused one cut at a time, and drove home the importance of taking that extra step to get the angles perfect, not just good enough. I am so grateful to Jenn and Hilary for the opportunity! Raymond, WA; February 2021