How long do exterior wood stairs or steps last?

You can expect exterior wood stairs and steps to last 15 to 35 years, with an average of 25 years. Wood rot is the enemy, so longer life is achieved by keeping a preservative coating on the wood and avoiding "water traps." A water trap is any surface that allows water to puddle on it, or seep into it, instead of draining away naturally by gravity.

    Wood rot is inevitable with time on exposed exterior wood, including pressure treated wood, but it can be postponed with careful maintenance. To learn more, go to our blog post Where are the most common places to find wood rot on a house?

    Here’s a bar graph comparing exterior wood stairs or steps life expectancy to other types of home stairs and steps.
    Go to our blog post What is the average lifespan of the parts of a house? for rating of other house components. To understand the basis, potential use, and limitations of lifespan ratings, see How accurate are the average life expectancy ratings of home components? Are they actually useful? 

 Here’s links to a collection of our other blog posts about STAIRS:

• What do home inspectors check when inspecting stairs?

• Is a landing always required at the top and bottom of stairs? 

• When is a railing required at stairs?

• What is the building code for the minimum height of stair steps (risers)? 

• When is a nosing required on a stair tread?

• What is the building code requirement for receptacle outlets at stairs and stair landings?  

• Are open stair risers acceptable?

• What is the steepest residential stair allowed?

• Why is a single step dangerous in a house?

• Do I need stairs at all exit doors from a mobile home? 

• The stairs feel too steep. What's the building code? 

• What is the longest stair run allowed? 

• What is the lighting requirement for stairs?

• A light is required over a stair after how many steps/risers? 

• When is safety glass required for windows at stairs and stair landings?

   Visit our STAIRS page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles. 

NOTE: These life expectancies are based on data provided by InterNACHI, NAHB, FannieMae, and our own professional experience. Because of the numerous variables that can affect a lifespan, they should be used as rough guidelines only, and not relied upon as a warranty or guarantee of future performance.