Steel vs Wood

[Westonium]

Man I've been trying to search for this because I know it is in here somewhere, but want I am wanting to know is how steel pipe compares to wood for posts.

Pressure treated 4x4 or 6x6 vs sch40 steel galv pipe of common sizes.

Anyone help me or point me in the right direction?

 

[RonR]

All I can offer is personal experience on cedar fences.

I've used cedar posts in concrete: Won't last.

I've used pressure treated posts in concrete: Will last longer, but not permanent.

I'm replacing my wood posts with galvanized pipe posts in concrete. Should be forever.

Ron

 

[EddieWalker]

I think steel posts will cost you three to four times as much money at wood ones. If you can afford it, steel is stronger and will last long after your dead.

You wont' need as large a steel post as a wood for the same strength, so that might help some with the expense.

Eddie

 

[MossRoad]

What are you going to do with them? Fence, building, etc...

 

[Westonium]

A variety of things.

I'm noticing that the steel pipe doesn't seem to be as expensive as it was a year ago.

There is a certain ease of construction with steel sch 40 pipe. I can screw together a simple structure. Nothing big, just maybe a greenhouse etc. I've priced kits, and they just don't compare to what I could throw together with a trip to the hardware store and certainly not as sturdy.

I was wondering if anyone had any technical strength specs etc?

 

[Dusty]

If you want smaller size, but more strength, consider using schedule 80 steel pipe. Look for a larger plumbing supply house that both sells and threads the pipe. They can do it faster with there machinery than you can by hand.
Dusty

 

[slowzuki]

I didn't notice your location but up here in parking lots 2" sch. 40 pipe steel posts last about 5 winters of salting parking lots.

Galvanized lasts 20 years or so unless the plows scrape the galvanizing off by hitting it.