6x6 Lumber Choice

[Thorold]

So i need to replace 2 6x6 PT posts on a porch roof at my son's house tomorrow. They are all twisty.

This time they will have proper Simpson saddles - currently its held up with angle brackets and TBH it's more than a bit scary. It's one of a hundred projects we knew the house would need when he bought it.

How do we pick the best 6x6 when i'm at Home Depot that may not twist ? I'm pretty sure the proper saddles will lessen the twisting as they dry but ...

 

[4x4Pete]

I have found that the big box stores don't have good PT. It's usually too wet, which will twist like a propeller when it dries out. I use Trans Canada Building Products, they are keen to supply better quality lumber. Not sure if they deliver to Thorold, but there must be a local specialty lumberyard that will have good quality stuff your looking for.

 

[mike93lx]

If at all possible, avoid any pieces with Pith (center of the tree), but that's hard to do with 6x6

 

[Hank11]

I'd look for some western cedar posts. Light, strong, not prone to twisting or checking.

 

[jhelrey]

Man made... Wrap it?

 

[jar944]

If at all possible, avoid any pieces with Pith (center of the tree), but that's hard to do with 6x6

All treated 6x6 will likely be boxed heart cuts (centered on the pith)

Look for the straightness, least amount of knots, and centered pith.

 

[Rusted Nut]

Brackets won’t stop twist. Look for a kiln dried post with less than 10% moisture, prior to treating. Yes, they will be hard to find at big box stores.

 

[nadogail]

Avoid buying your lumber from a big box retail store. Go to a Full Service Lumber Yard, they will easily beat the quality of the lumber sold at the retail store, and when you calculate the added value of better lumber you will find their higher prices justified.

 

[jack stand]

Laminate 2x6's pt, 4 ply's and
cut the bottom to fit into your 5 1/2" base if necessary.
Stronger than a 6x6
100% Preservative treatment
Will not twist!

 

[mike93lx]

Laminate 2x6's pt, 4 ply's and
cut the bottom to fit into your 5 1/2" base if necessary.
Stronger than a 6x6
100% Preservative treatment
Will not twist!

Good suggestion. For this application, I'd probably do 3 ply and wrap it for finishing.

 

[WisJim]

Years ago I built a pole framed barn and found that the posts available from companies that built pole sheds were usually of better quality than what lumber yards or big box stores had. I worked at a local lumber yard but I bought posts from a regional pole barn builder, and they were better than what I could get through my job.

 

[KEH]

If 6 x6 PT kiln dried is not available get your 6x6 PT and air dry them , probably 3 months will be enough. Rack them up on a indoor flat surface, like cement floored garage, spacers under the posts, strips of 3/4 x 3/4 between them. Put lots of weight on top, maybe 6 large concrete blocks. If they start to bow out to one side, unstack and turn the bow down and restack them.
Stacking them on the porch might work.

KEH

 

[Thorold]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I might give our local cedar dealer a call - probably expensive but anything we've bought there has been perfect.

Cheers !

 

[CraigStu]

Another advantage of doing laminated 2xs is If you need a notch or a slot at the top to fit into the existing structure this is easier to do than cutting into a 2x6. And since, as I understand it PT is basically a surface treatment, you end up w/ more PT in your laminated vs cut into 6x6.

 

[captain14]

Keep us updated on the project.

 

[Moss]

Seeing where you live, I would give Turkstra a call. They have always been really helpful when I have questions like this. I think the moisture is an issue with box store PT lumber sometimes it's fine other times its so wet it's twice the weight and it just goes all wild when it dries. If I couldn't find decent enough posts I agree that making laminated ones is a good idea.