Rustic (?) steps sealing/finishing

[wellohkay]

I'm not sure what style to call these steps, rustic is the best I could come up with. As you can see, some of the steps are not holding up too well. Small pieces of wood come off each time someone goes up or down the stairs. I'm needing recommendations on refinishing and sealing the steps so that they are more durable. 

These steps are in an office and get daily use.

[Woodenskye]

Rustic, looks more like trash.  The only logical thing to do is replace with proper stair treads.  Trying to refinish is a waste of time.  That looks like a soft wood which isn't good for a lot of traffic.  This is also why stair treads generally have a bullnose profile.  

[wtnhighlander]

Not to poo-poo the styling, but those reclaimed boards are a very poor choice for stair treads. As mentioned above, they appear to be reclaimed construction lumber, very soft, and not shaped appropriately for the job.

While you might be able to reduce the splintering with an epoxy coating, the best fix is to at least round over the corners.

[Chet]

Also looks like a break room or something below.  I would be concerned with stuff falling of the stair treads as well as peoples shoe and on to people's food and drink.

[drzaius]

New treads are in order. Use a hardwood an put a bullnose on the front edges. If you want to maintain a rustic look, use white oak & then beat it up to simulate wear & age. Then apply a glaze, wipe it down, and apply several coats of low sheen polyurethane. The glaze will darken the dents & scratches to help give it a more rustic look. 

The treads on my stairs at home are just starting to look like they need a refinish & they are almost 28 years old. 

[pkinneb]

So we are looking for rustic but not too rustic? My take would be keep what's there until they become unsafe and then go with the advice from this post

18 hours ago, drzaius said:

... Use a hardwood an put a bullnose on the front edges. If you want to maintain a rustic look, use white oak & then beat it up to simulate wear & age. Then apply a glaze, wipe it down, and apply several coats of low sheen polyurethane. The glaze will darken the dents & scratches to help give it a more rustic look. 

 

[Tpt life]

Steampunk might work. Marry the raw wood element to a metal nosing. 

[G Ragatz]

Might try Minwax Wood Hardener.  I used it on an exterior window sill that had some water damage.  It held up well for a few years - sold the house about 3 years ago, so I don't know how it's doing now.