Laminated or solid post

[bigby]

Getting ready to buy a pole barn kit and was trying to decide which posts to get. The laminated are a bit cheaper and I heard the solid post could warp in time, what do you all think?

 

[bczygan]

Engineered lumber has more predictable responses to loads and environmental conditions. And in some cases is more affordable.

 

[Goobzilla]

Cleary used 3 PT 2x6 nailed together to make up my posts here. Supposed to stay straighter and last longer.

 

[mmhouse]

In our area of the country we have pressure treated pole barn 6x6's which are typically used for the posts. They are full-cut 6"x6" (not 5-1/2), they are incised to allow for more treatment penetration and they are treated with the "old" stuff which is less environmentally friendly but more resistant to rot and decay. You may want to look further into differences in the two types of posts.

Yes, solid posts can warp a bit in time. Usually it does no harm once the structure is up.

 

[stingry]

It is hard to find a straight 6x6, especially in long lengths. By laminating 3 2x6's, you get more pressure treated wood plus I like the way the 2x6 sandwich attaches to the roof truss. 3 2x6's are nailed together with the center one being shorter, creating a "notch" which the truss sits into, making a clean and structurally sound installation.

Cheers
Steve

 

[santagary]

Cleary used 3 PT 2x6 nailed together to make up my posts here. Supposed to stay straighter and last longer.

I had Cleary build our 80' x 100' barn with three lean-to's for hay storage, equipment and cows. The laminated posts are great and do not warp as a single 8 x 8 or 6 x 6 would. I highly recommend Cleary...great prices and great crews as well as service after the sale...couldn't be happier.

 

[steves shop]

When I built my shop I used 6x6 pt timbers, and some of them were twisted bad, had to get some replaced. I would use laminated over the regular 6x6. On that note, is there a place to purchase pre-laminated 6x6 post?

 

[bigby]

Thanks for the info., One more question about laminated post and trusses, on the end truss do you just nail the truss to the outside of the laminated post like when you use solid post? or does it still go in the middle like the rest of the trusses. Thanks again!

 

[Daniel Dudley]

I have heard that the 2x6 PT gets a better penetration of treatment than the 6x6, but there are two grades of PT, above ground and under ground. Most lumber yards around here carry above ground 2x material, and below ground post material, so make sure you get the right stuff if you go 2x.

 

[kb2tha]

Cleary used 3 PT 2x6 nailed together to make up my posts here. Supposed to stay straighter and last longer.

This is what I did too. Also glued the members together and used direct ground contact PT 2 x 6 which had to be ordered. Most yards around me do not stock this grade.
Ken

 

[KEH]

On using pressure treated lumber, I've found that regular fastners, nails bolts,etc, will rust due to the salts used in the treatment. Use galvanized(zinc plated) fastners. If you are laminating 2 x 6s to make posts I would bolt them together with galvanized bolts.

KEH

 

[sneezer41]

actually the 'new' PT can eat galvy. they make epoxy coated.
I prefer stainless.

can get costly tho

 

[Nighttrain]

I ordered KDAT 6x6 post on my recent barn. (check my signature) KDAT or Kiln Dried After Treatment. The post were pretty square and don't twist as they dry since they took most of the moisture out of them.

I looked at the laminated post but they were very $$$ expensive. Talking like $100 plus each.

And as others mentioned most box stores do not sell ground contact PT wood. You have to ask them to special order it. HD ordered all my KDAT #1 PT lumber and it was actually cheaper than the PT #2 they had on the floor. KDAT is the way to go with PT in my humble opinion.

Let us know what you do.

 

[mtwaterguy]

I've built three pole barns. Two in Oregon and one here in Montana. All three used the solid 6x6. No twisting problems with any of them. The first one was built 22 years ago. Guess it depends on the quality of your posts.