Laminating 2x6s for pole buildings

[buckeyefarmer]

My barn package came with ACQ .60 treated 6x6 posts. Some twisted a good bit before I got the barn finished. One twisted so bad I couldn't use it. And they are not treated all the way through. The company I bought from now uses laminated 2x6's. I would buy them already made, as they are engineered. I like the fact that the roof truss can sit in a pocket, and you can bolt thru it. This makes for a stronger roof. If I was to do another pole barn, I will use concrete footers and permacolumn connectors and remove the ground contact all together.

 

[Rodmo1]

I just finished my garage with the laminated posts. I believe the big selling point for me was the resistance to twisting and the fact that they were treated all the way through. Around here most of the posts I see when crosscut have a very visible center portion which did not recieve much if any treatment. I believe they cost me somewhere around $30 for a 12 or 14 foot length. Very happy with the results. Mine are glued and nailed together. With the price they cost me it probably wouldnt be worth the effort of making your own. Also mine are treated to .60 pounds per cubic foot.

Rod M.

 

[Duffster]

The last time I priced posts the 3 ply 2x6 full length treated with truss plate connectors at the seams (premade) where cheaper than 6x6's in all lengths except 8 footers. The 20' plus lengths where alot cheaper.

 

[EddieWalker]

I just checked my account at McCoys and a PT 6x6x16 is $36. A PT 2x6x16 is $10, so three of them would be $30 for a $6 savings. Of course a 6x6 is actually 5 1/2 inches wide in both directions, but the three 2x6's are going to be an inch thinner on one side.

For $6 more, you are getting about 20% more wood. Figure the price of glue and nails, and your savings is pretty hard to see.

Eddie

 

[newbury]

For $6 more, you are getting about 20% more wood. Figure the price of glue and nails, and your savings is pretty hard to see.

Eddie

Additionally the cost of your time for assembly.
However if you make them like the Cleary Non-spliced Laminated you get 1.5 times the strength.

 

[goatdoc]

You said you are setting trusses into a pocket in the top of the post. What is the spacing of the post. My posts are spaced 12 foot and all have a carrier beam of a doubled 2 by 12 on the top, and the trusses rest on this. My trusses are 24 on center with 1/2in osb or plywood with felt and 30 year shingles on that.

 

[nickel plate]

On the subject of posts and beams you need to also include compression for the post amd tension for the beam.
When laying up a beam for either glue or no glue, build a camber into the beam by laying all members in a crown up position, the longer the boards the better and then cut to size. Spray a paint color on the top edge so when placed you will know to have the painted edge crown up. If no glue is used, address a couple of extra fasteners at each end of the cut pieces and do so after the pencil mark and before the saw cut.
When laying up a post, flip flop the crowns.
In both cases, choose lumber that has no "bullet" showing at each end as that is the most reactionary stick in the unit. These pieces are the actual center of the tree. The further away from the center cut, the less reaction over time will occur.
If you just want to shine this whole multiple board lay up process and use solid timber stock, your lumber yard can special order pieces with a grade stamp "FOHC" free of heart center-no bullets.

 

[BlacknTan]

You can always use this product Perma-Column | Permanent Foundation Systems.

This is what I used for my pole barn. Cost a little more but will never have to replace due to rotting.

This is a great resource!

Thanks for posting this. I think I'll use these for my lean-to shed this year.. There is a distributor close-by also.

 

[Dave5264]

I can't speak for anyplace but here, but I have done several jobs this year with PT 6x6 posts. In every case, they were green all the way to the middle. I have never seen one that wasn't, and would think that would be very odd to find one that wasn't green all the way through. If you have personally seen this, then I believe you. It might be a regional thing, but I find it hard to believe that if they can do it here, they should be able to do it anywhere.

Eddie

wow, wish i could find PT lumber that good, up here I cant even find a 2x4 thats green all the way to the core, let alone a 6x6.