4x4 vs 6x6 strength. Post size directly impacts structural safety and long-term performance. The design loads for 4x4 and 4x6 lumber for the commonly used grades are listed in Table 2, and for incised lumber in Table 3. Should I go with metal or 4X4 treated post? And should I use concrete for the wood option? My grandfather said contrete causes the post to rot out quicker where the wood This page contains a list of equipment currently in service with the German Army. Alaskan Cedar AITC AC-FK Roof Beams Construction Load AITC AC-FK Roof Beams Snow Load AITC AC-FK Floor Beams Live Load Douglas Fir AITC DF-25 Roof Beams Construction Load AITC DF-26 Roof Beams Snow Load Free i beam load calculator for the design of steel beams as per AISC 360. Replace your Excel Spreadsheets and access instantly with no installation. What gives? IMO 4x4 is usually sufficient. Im thinking about making a "pole barn" style woodshed for this burning season so I dont have to deal with tarps again this year. The added strength and stability of 6×6 posts is especially beneficial if you are building a second story elevated deck that will require railing posts to be set for greater cumulative stress. Fences, Posts, Railings and Gates - What's Better? Metal or Wood? - I'm about to replace a six foot privacy fence around my back yard with the same. In conclusion, the decision between 4x4 and 6x6 wire mesh for concrete slabs ultimately boils down to the specific needs of your project. (3) 2x6 (again not dimensionally comparable). Sep 7, 2025 · The decision between 4×4 posts and 6×6 posts for a porch roof affects safety, durability, appearance, and code compliance; this guide explains load capacity, span limits, fasteners, and installation best practices to help homeowners and contractors make an informed choice. #2: How To Space Your Posts Evenly So your posts can sit 6 feet apart… but should they? Beams & Columns Joists & Framing Specialty Engineered Wood Products (EWP) Misc. 6x6 can be notched to hold the support beam, 4x4 the beam will be held on by Debating between wood and metal fence posts? Compare strength, longevity, cost, and appearance to decide which post type is best for your fencing project. 6 x 6 deck post. Dec 5, 2025 · 4x4 vs 6x6 deck posts: Compare strength, cost, style & install tips from Brooklyn expert's 15 projects. Reinforcing Steel Bars – Grade 60 In-stock sizes: #3, #4, #5, and #6. How high off the ground is your deck? By the way, it looks like the Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide requires 6x6 minimum for posts. As the Comparison Table identifies, the 6×6 has a 60% larger cross-cut area and thus more overall strength than the 4×4. Ex: "Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Description Guide based on the International Residential Code". Cribbing pieces should be of #1 Grade, which provides greater strength and better cosmetic appearance. Go with 6x6, it's a nominal extra cost and better in the long term. <p>This Deck Block is a concrete post-support that stabilizes the posts that support a deck structure. Square Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) – Sizes, Strength & Specifications Weight, cross sectional area, moments of inertia - Imperial units Explore whether 4x4 or 6x6 posts are better for porch roof support. You may be overbuilding this. Engineered Wood Products (EWP). The strength at those points is most valuable. untreated wood provided the moisture content is less than 19%. A 4×4 post is adequate for small to medium-sized decks, while a 6×6 post is recommended for larger or heavy-load decks. The bigger post will support larger tributary areas at greater heights and is stronger laterally. Choose for stability, safety & urban chic! Sep 6, 2021 · Understanding the differences between 4×4 vs. The 4×4 is more susceptible to twisting and bending due to its smaller dimensions, which limits its height and carrying ability. We've found that the (3) 2x6 ends up being a stronger column in most cases even though it is smaller because when you go to a 6x6 we specify a Post and Timber Grade of lumber as opposed to the 2-4 grade for the studs, and the PT grade has Carriage & Through-Bolt Replacement The 6 1/4" is engineered to connect 4x4 posts to 2x joists. Learn expert tips on selecting the best fence posts for stability, style, and longevity. As the Comparison Table identifies, the 6×6 has a 60% larger cross-cut area and thus more overall strength than the 4×4. Bolt your posts to the concrete using a Simpson post bracket. Each post is spaced 4 ft apart. 6x6 is not for the vertical load, it's for the lateral load. If you’re ready to start planning the building phase of your new deck, this guide contains everything you need to know about whether to choose 4×4 or 6×6 posts for a deck. 0 Using only carriage bolts seems like it’s be strong enough based on the shear strength of 1/2” bolts. The same participant provides specific dimensions for structural members they wish to replace, including rafters (2x6), posts (6x6), and a ridge beam (2x12), and requests information on comparable strength steel or aluminum tubes. 1 Douglar Fir-Larch Roof Beam Maximum Total Load (PLF) No. 15 360 o. This issue is that the vertical 4x4 or 6x6 is now prone to splitting under the weight of the deck. oug Fir Timbers Column & Load Tables to I ILL to DL Rati Normal Load Duration (C 1. If your AHJ uses that as a model code, you'll be using 6x6s. A 12 foot 4x6 or 6x6 would be really heavy and hard to plumb etc. 4x4's tend to warp, twist, and crack and are just plain flimsy looking IMO. Unsure if you should use a 4x4 post or a 6x6 post for pergola? This blog post will help you decide! Ensure your backyard fence is strong and durable by choosing the right post size. I'm a newbie here. Tables and notes pertaining to post tension loads and post allowable compression loads for a variety of lumber types. There are calculators out there about the sizing for the frame that you need. While I could use larger lumber and 10 foot spacing, I was thinking that I could use 4x4 posts and 5 foot spacing. The 7" is engineered to connect two 2x beams to a notched 6x6 post. I noticed some guidelines are mandating 6x6 posts regardless of deck height, etc. 1 Douglar Fir-Larch Floor Beam Maximum Total Load (PLF) 4x8 2744 76 1227 849 624 377 306 212 181 156 4x10 4x12 8723 3141 2181 1602 969 785 545 465 401 2517 1020 708 521 4x4 vs. May 18, 2018 · Go with 6x6, it's a nominal extra cost and better in the long term. Inspector says code requires "As far as the requirements for the 4x4 knee bracing, the Code states the bracing “shall be bolted to the post and the girder/double band with one 5/8” hot-dip Always use 6x6's as your posts. Saves you needing to use a strong tie or other bracket to make the attachment with the beam just sitting on top, and it's better than just bolting through both and essentially hanging the beam off There is no ‘significant’ strength loss for treated vs. Make sure you check your local deck railing post spacing code, though, to see if any special restrictions apply. Sep 23, 2025 · 6×6 posts offer better structural integrity, can handle heavier loads, and comply with most modern building codes. 6x6's resist twisting, bending, and warping much better then 4x4's and are much stronger with lateral movement. Deck has 6x6 posts (4) with a 2-2x10 drop girder supporting joists. Building codes increasingly recommend or require 6×6 posts, particularly in seismic or high-wind zones like East Tennessee. The 8" is engineered to connect 4x4 posts to a double rim joist or single rim joist and 2x blocking. 20-ft. Started learning the ropes to Dad's Moreover, we cannot guess load support just based on 4×4 or 6×6 post sizes, the type of wood is also a considerable factor to know the actual strength of post size. Direct bearing with a metal connector or notching is the correct way. Explore 5 pro tips for maximizing durability and ensuring your projects stand the test of time. So five 4x4 posts along each 20 foot wall, plus two more posts along the 14 foot walls. com. I'll need 12 footers so that I can bury 4' and have 8' walls. The 9 1/2" is engineered to attach a 6x6 post to two 2x beams. 6×6 deck posts is key to making all other decisions about your front porch. 4x4 vs 6x6 Pergola Post: A Simple Guide to Picking the Right Size 4x4 posts work for small, lightweight pergolas, whilst 6x6 posts provide superior stability and longevity for most garden builds. Manufacturers are now producing varied cribbing pieces using plastic. with a shed (lean to) roof (6/12), likely metal, laid on 1x4 strapping Id like it on skids so I can drag it around or take The probability of 4x4 twisting compared to 6x6. Learn which size is safer, stronger, and code-compliant for your home project. COM Discover the key differences between 4x6 and 6x6 posts. I think maybe 8x10 or 8x12, 8ish ft high. This deck block has an outside dimension of 12" wide x 6-1/2" high x 10" deep and can securely hold a standard 4x4 and 6x6 post. However, if your deck is not higher than a single story, 4×4 posts will typically have enough strength for the job. If durability and load-bearing capacity are paramount, 4x4 mesh is the way to go. The strength of a deck post depends on its load-bearing capacity and size. The strength is substantially increased (seen far more repairs needed on 4x4 fences vs 6x6 after storms. If your concrete isn't sufficient, cut out concrete where post is supposed to go and use a sonotube to pour a footing. Try it out at Decks. Dynamic load limits of a horizontal 4x4 or 6x6 beam? 1 reading Jump to Latest 133K views 5 replies 5 participants last post by concretemasonry Feb 10, 2014 If you're building a deck or porch, a number of factors could go into your decision as to whether to use a certain-sized post. On the other hand, if cost-efficiency and ease of installation are more critical, 6x6 mesh may suffice for your needs. Welded wire mesh, made from steel, provides tensile strength that concrete lacks. SOUTHERN PINE REFERENCE DESIGN VALUES Based on SPIB Grading Rules and AWC National Design Specification® Values in pounds per square inch (psi) This may not apply, but if you start looking at 6x6 vs. The thing about 6x6 is that it's easier to do a cutout and have a double 2x beam sit on the column while also bolting through the beam and column. Jonathan Ochshorn Structural Elements calculators Note that the size factor adjustment (CF) should not be included in the allowable stress value entered, as it is already included in the calculations for each column size. ) If that drives your costs too high I'll agree with the other posters and at least do gate, corner, and end posts with 6x6. When concrete is subjected to tensile forces, the steel wires within the mesh help resist these forces, preventing cracks and structural failures. 470 CR 448 - TAVARES, FL 32778 METROSTEELUSA. 0) now Load Duration (C 1. The x-axis refers to the "strong" axis of bending, except in the case of 3 Size your deck beams and headers with our easy-to-use span table, which allows you to cross reference the post spacing and joist length to determine the right deck beam size. 6x6 posts can be up to 8 feet apart, on-center. Here is an examination of the following: 4 x 4 vs. They eliminate the need for digging post holes and pouring concrete footings, making building a deck more efficient and cost-effective. Tables 4, 5, and 6 contain design loads for 6x, 8x, 10x and 12x timbers. The combined values of allowable stress and size factor for Southern Pine have been accounted for. Use this wood beam span calculator to check a wood beam of a particular size and length to see if it can support a given uniform linear load by comparing its allowable and required bending and shear stress. lengths. 4x4's are inferior to sistered 2-2x4's because the grain in 4x4s is directionally uniform, whereas, 2-2x4's will have differentiated grain. I couldn't find a link to a span table for 4x4's but found this one (which recommends 2-2x10's for a 10'0" span): span table However, this assumes underlayment only and your shed has runners and FJs. Though, an engineer could argue you down to 4x4s with supporting calculations. Concrete Blocks are long Adds tensile strength: Concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension. The longevity of the fence is significantly increased. 4x4 posts can be up to 6 feet apart, on-center. wlmr1, rqlm, dlcwu, 4f1nli, 18zd, k5omf, tsg3k, p6rkai, s6hbyg, oroe,