Replies

1. 
   Piffin | Apr 18, 2006 08:30pm | #1

   They could be temporary construction treads to be replaced later after plastering and painting and are made from leftovers.
   or
   they might be for a carpeted staircase and will be covered.
   or
   They might be permanent but will be dressed over with finer materials later.

    

    

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1. 
   snap pea | Apr 19, 2006 08:29am | #2

   The stairs were definitely going to be finished with something else (unless the homeowner really likes that Advantech logo) but what I was asking was why the builders would have chosen that material instead of cheaper plywood or 2x12s or whatever.
   Thanks

1. 
   blue_eyed_devil | Apr 19, 2006 12:12pm | #3

   Snap pea, in most cases, the individual carpenter decides what he's going to make the treads out of.

   In most cases, plywood tread stock is going to take extra framing to stabilize. It rarely is a good choice on a straight run of stairs. It works great on curved stair systems because there is usually some additional framing that will properly support it.

   blue 

2. 
   andy_engel | Apr 19, 2006 07:04pm | #5

   Why use 2x12 for stringers? I much prefer TrussJoist's LSL stringer stock. It doesn't move or split.Andy

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2. 
   rr_mdi | Apr 19, 2006 04:43pm | #4

   I'm of the opinion they used advantech because they had the material. If they were using plywood as the subfloor they would have used that instead.

   Advantech is strong and if its glued (construction adhesive) and screwed
   that makes a nice underlayment for the treads and risers. When installing the finish treads and risers you've got a nice area to glue them. I've found that the squeek factor is almost non-existant unless the framing is sub-par.

   Richard