Table of Contents
How much stronger is a 6×6 than a 4×4?
The load capacity of a 3-foot #2 grade 4×4 is 17,426 pounds, and a similar 6×6 is 20,834 pounds or 16% better. However, an 8-foot 4×4 supports 6468-pounds and 2339-pounds at 14-feet, while a 6×6 is 18032 and 10550-pounds respectively – or 64% and 78% more load capacity.
How do I improve my 4×4 post?
Cut a Support for Your Post Cut a piece of 1-by-4-inch or 2-by-4-inch lumber to twice the length of the fence post diameter. This piece, called a deadman post support, helps anchor the post in the ground and is especially helpful if you can’t dig the post hole 40 inches deep.
How do I join 4×4 posts?
To connect 2 4x4s use a half-lap joint secured with construction adhesive, two steel plates, and four to six 1/2″ or 5/8” through bolts. Posts that support roofs or platforms should lap between 20” and 24”, other structures should connect for 6” to 10” along the centerline.
How much load can a 4×4 post support?
4×4 can hold up to 4,000 pounds when laying horizontally with the right support. Vertically, a 4×4 should support 4300 pounds but can hold significantly more. The amount of weight that a 4×4 can hold depends on several factors like wood grade, species, and load type.
How long will a treated 4×4 post last in the ground?
A treated 4×4 will last 20 to 25 years in the ground if the conditions in the soil and climate are favorable. That number could increase to 40 to 75 years if you install the treated 4×4 in a cement ring rather than the soil. There are a few factors that influence how long the 4×4 can last in the ground.
How deep should I bury a 20 foot post?
The general rule of thumb when setting a post is that the depth of the post’s hole needs to be one-third to one-half of the actual above-ground height of the post.
Can pressure treated posts be set in concrete?
Simply setting the posts in concrete does create a condition that will accelerate rot in the bottom of the posts. With pressure-treated posts, the rot will be slow. Concrete should be poured around the post – no concrete under the post.
How do you stiffen a deck post?
The basic steps to fix a wobbly wood railing are: Tighten any loose carriage bolts or screws. Add pressure-treated blocking tightly between rim joists. Place the blocks snugly behind the post and toe-screw them into the rim joist and the adjacent joist.
How do you join wood at 90 degrees?
For a standard 90-degree mitered corner, the two pieces are cut on opposite 45-degree angles and fitted together. When installing trim, the pieces are glued at the seam and then fastened, via nails or screws, to the framing material in the wall.
How much can you notch a 4×4 post?
Never notch railing posts. This amounts to a notch of just ½ inch in a 4×4 and 7/8 inch in a 6×6 — hardly worth the effort. And even notching within these prescribed limits weakens the post by as much as 40%. Avoiding Rot Notching posts without applying a topical treatment is also a formula for decay, Bean cautions.
How much weight can a 6×6 post support?
A 6×6 with 12′ span can support 2000 lbs. if you assume a conservative 1400psi bending stress. If you do a good job bonding the two members together, your double 6×6 can support more than 4,000 lbs.
How much weight can a 4×4 post take?
An 8-foot 4×4 can typically carry 1,000lbs horizontally along its length without excessive sag, or 500lbs in a center load. Supported at 16” centers and the load jumps to 4,000lbs. When used as a post, the same 4×4 can support up to 6,000 PSI and even more if properly braced.
Do I need 4×4 or 6×6 posts?
While there may be a handful of circumstances that only require the minimum 4×4 deck post, you will more than likely want to choose a 6×6 post for the deck. It provides more stability for larger decks, the ability to hold a heavier load, and more room for notching.
Does pressure treated wood last longer?
A pressure-treated wood usually guarantees a longer lifespan than untreated wood. It can serve you well for about 30 years when in direct contact with water, provided there’re no entry points into the wood’s grain.
How long will a 6×6 post last in concrete?
A PT post will last a long time in concrete, maybe 5 to 10 years in soil alone. I suggest you embed the post in concrete, trowel a peak around the post so water runs off, and don’t let the PT post come in contact with the ground.
