Alot of pole barn builders (ala Morton) use laminated 2X6 treated lumber instead of whole 6X6 posts for thier vertical members, and then “finger joint” regular construction grade 2X6’s for the above-grade portion. Advantages seem to be better pressure treatment as you’re more likely to get chemical into the center of the laminated post than into the whole 6X6, the thicker stock these days tends to be crooked or split, so you’re more likely to get a straight post with lamination.
I believe you could duplicate the technique for deck posts by using PL400 and stainless steel nails, and then extend up with structural 2X6’s for the railing posts and/or vertical posts that could support a screened porch roof over the deck.
Anyone tried this method?
Edited 3/30/2006 11:04 am ET by johnnyd
Replies
You could just use treated glulam, if it avoids ground contact
http://www.rosboro.com/treatedglulam.asp
This is what I'm referring to:
http://www.mortonbuildings.com/ValueInTheDetails/Materials/Timber.shtm
Yeah, I've had to do/use/make stuff like that all the time. I mostly work on old houses and have to laminate stock to get it to the thickness that I need to replicate the older materials that I frequently have to replace.
It should work fine, you might see a seam in a few years from expansion/contraction of the wood. Unless it is a turned post, I'll clad the laminated posts with 1x stock to hide the seams.
Might work for a pole barn, but I would run it by an inspector before using a site built lamination on a deck. looks like Mortons lamination could pass the grading process for structural members, but not having that grading for a site built post could become an issue.
Can't hurt to ask.
Dave