I'm new to the site and was hoping to gain some insight on a future project. The house I moved into has a pavilion and few of the 4x4 posts are twisted. The building is about 30' x 40' and these posts seem a bit on the light side. I was thinking about using laminated or making my own laminated 6x6 posts. I will also replace the beam when I put in the new posts. Currently the 4x4s are in the ground and not on the pad. My plan is to put the new posts on the pad. Any thoughts?
Greetings All, a construction question
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A picture would help----
Green treated wood has a very high moisture count---soaking wet---and will twist as it dries---
You can buy kiln dried treated wood---special order and expensive---but that will be your safest wood to avoid the twists.
Or use Cedar----that also comes with a high price tag.
Green treated wood has a very high moisture count---soaking wet---and will twist as it dries---
You can buy kiln dried treated wood---special order and expensive---but that will be your safest wood to avoid the twists.
Or use Cedar----that also comes with a high price tag.
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I just use 6 X 6 pressure treated, far less likely to curl or twist.
There could be several issues with mounting to a slab depending on your location and local codes.
There really needs to be real footing below the post as a rule.
There could be several issues with mounting to a slab depending on your location and local codes.
There really needs to be real footing below the post as a rule.
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5,832 Posts
You need to think through the entire design before you replace embedded posts with slab mounted posts. Embedded posts are moment carrying elements, whereas posts mounted to the slab typically do not carry moment. This means that you will need adequate sway bracing (think diagonal bracing) if you go with slab mounted posts. Also, you need a footing under each slab mounted post, so you are really mounting to the footing, not the slab. You need to understand how the structure is being supported before you change the approach.
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You also need to mount the posts up off the concrete to keep water from wicking into wood and causing rot. If you look at the end grain of a 4X4, you will see most times it is from the center of the tree and most are very new growth trees so chances of it twisting or bowing are pretty good.
I will vouch for that, even with the post up on a pier I have had problems. In the future I will try to avoid a tall wooden post if it will be exposed to direct sun and have no side bracing or attachments like in a building or pole barn.
http://www.diychatroom.com/f19/wicked-warped-6-x-6-pt-post-279609/
I have one in my basement that warped like that, despite being in a fairly dry, stable environment. The ones inside my barn warped and twisted, too. I'm going to replace the two 6X6's in my basement with steel ones when I get around to it- they're holding the main beam of the floor up!
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