Looking to install some posts for planned sun shades for our backyard. 10’ x 20’ shade. Half connected to the fascia boards and the other half to posts cemented inside of an existing cinder block retaining wall. Would vinyl 4x4s hold up for this application or should I go straight for a wood 4×4 or 6×6? Winds are less than 20mph in the summer typically a light breeze. This will be up only in the summer and I’ll add cafe lights to the posts under the sails eventually. I appreciate any input. Thank you very much.
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Thank you all for the feedback! I’m going with pressure treated 4x4s and I’ll put sleeves over if I feel they need to look nicer.
For a 10' x 20' sun shade connected to the fascia boards and cemented into a cinder block wall, it is generally recommended to use wood 4x4 or 6x6 posts for better structural support and durability. Vinyl 4x4s might not be as sturdy and may not hold up well over time, especially in windy conditions.
The right answer is to opt for wood 4x4 or 6x6 posts for this application to ensure a strong and stable sun shade structure that can withstand occasional winds and support the weight of the sails and lights.