Replies

1. 
   Pro-Dek | Feb 03, 2001 09:53am | #1

   *
   What you need to do is sell the customer on the fact that 6x6 posts are more than adequate for this.Architect's are more artists than engineers and you need to create a visual concept for your customer separate from the set of plans you're looking at. Sell the fact that your providing a structural single treated post versus a hollow box or colunm which will trap moisture an rot with age.You could wrap the 6x6 with 2x6 which makes the post 8 1/2" if the guy insists on the beefy look.

1. 
   Jim_Walters | Feb 03, 2001 12:30pm | #2

   *My biggest gripe with architects. There are many ways to build an economical post. They sell a fancy looking column that comes in two pieces and fits around a treated (I've used them with 4x4, I would imagine they make a larger model)once it's together and painted, it looks pretty good. Besides this, with a little ingenuity you could wrap a 6x with redwood and create any design you like with a router and applied mouldings. For less than half, I'd build something that would put the 1100 one to shame. (I'm bragging, but also making a point).......This could be the beginning of a nitemare for you, I wonder what lovlies they have planned for the interior. Architects = cost plus contract.

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   mark_holbrook | Feb 03, 2001 06:18pm | #3

   *Just a thought here. Use structural steel and box it in nice if they want a 12 inch kind of look.

1. 
   HomeBldr_ | Feb 04, 2001 05:02pm | #4

   *I agree with Jim and Pro-Deck. I have used 6x6 and done wraps with 2x8 cedar for a beefier post. I have also wrapped 6x6 with 1x12 redwood that I fluted the top and wrapped the bottom for a wainscot look. This was on the front of a 400K house and looked great. I always try to get a homeowner to balance function, fashion and dollars. Some want strictly fashion and they need to decide on the dollar balance. All I can do is suggest.......Steven

1. 
   Kimball_Dhillon | Feb 07, 2001 06:35pm | #5

   *Thanks all for the imput. I think that I have talked the client into a wrapped 6x6, though the architect is still fighting it. We'll see. Kimball

2. 
   Mike_Smith | Feb 08, 2001 06:30am | #6

   *there's 6x6 .. and then there's 6x6..6x6 landscape timbers should be outlawed... they rot faster than you can drive away from the job....if you are talking about 6X6 PT #1 or #2.. treated to 0.40 then that is a good choice... i always buy extra.. and try to get them on the job and stickered in a dry location a far in advance as i can....PT likes to warp as it drys.. thus the extras...

2. 
   Kimball_Dhillon | Feb 08, 2001 06:30am | #7

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   I've got an architect spec'ing 12" square deck support posts for an upcoming new house. The deck posts need to be 14'. He is spec'ing 'Perma-cast' fiberglass structural columns. They run $1100@, and we need 7. That busts the budget before we start.
   I can have a cypress 12"x12"x14' hollow structural colunm made for around $375@. I can get a 10"x10"x14' treated post(rough) milled for $185@.
   Or I can just pick-up 6x6x16' PT ties locally that would sure hold up this deck for about$40@. It's a silly little deck that runs 40' down the side at the second floor to the the water side, where it is 8' wide(from 4'). He originally spec'ed steel angle brackets, but they got too expensive. To 'save money', he spec'd these columns. The owner is ready to ditch the whole thing. When I offered to save $ by deleting the custom angle brackets and using 6x6 posts, the new plan had these 'Perma-cast' columns and the steel railing changed to Stainless! Needless to say, I've been bidding and re-bidding to try to come up with a compromise. This obviously is a high end custom home, but like any project, has a budget.
   I would be interested to hear what you guys have used for deck post in this type of situation. It is a side deck and the posts will land in the grass on footers(sono-tube?) I have built up square 10"x10" porch posts before(over a treated 6x6), but these are 14' and in the weather big time! Thanks in advance, Kimball