Having an argument about wood treads for exterior stairs.  Crown up or down?

Some people say if you put bark side up and water penetrates, it will run thru the grain rings and out.  However, the are not considering cupping and warping with humidity changes

 

https://plasticinehouse.com/installing-deck-boards-crown-up-or-down/

 

Edited February 16, 20233 yr by kmealy

For a similar reason when making drawers, I always say to myself - outside of tree to inside of drawer.  That way, when the wood cups, the top and bottom edges of the drawers stay tight and the cup, if not held by the joinery, is in the middle.

We've made or remade several decks with steps. We always used 2X redwood. I'm sitting on the front patio, looking at our most recent build. It appears that we never gave a thought to the crown. We just picked the nicest side to show. 

Edited February 16, 20233 yr by Gene Howe

Had to tear down the 20 year old redwood deck on the back of my house when I bought it.  South side of the house, under trees, and rotted from the ground up.  Replaced it with concrete piers, treated posts and framing with none touching the ground, and Trex decking including stair treads.  Had to space joists closer and add another for the stairs, but never worried about crown up or down.