can you buy SPF 4x4's? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

72chevy4x4 · 10-03-2009, 07:20 AM

can you purchase standard 4x4's posts in your market? my supplier has tried to find something with little luck, only coming up with douglas fir posts at $21 each (9'). I am wondering if this is a regional thing.

**framerman** · 10-03-2009, 08:02 AM

Only DFir and HemFir here. SPF would be unusual IMO. What's it for? Interior? Exterior? Structural?

72chevy4x4 · 10-03-2009, 08:46 AM

structural repair. engineer did load calculations and ok'ed double 2x4 w/ 1/2" ply between...but I'm wondering if the engineer should have known the lack of availability of the species in drawing up the plan.

neolitic · 10-03-2009, 09:22 AM

Given a solid 4X4, the doug fir
would be stronger than SPF.
The 2Xs with plywood should
be stronger yet.

**framerman** · 10-03-2009, 09:24 AM

Yeah, sometimes they're not 100% sure. Hell...I'm not 100% sure. We had some need for 1x8 Maple lately and could we find any? Nooooo. Had to special order. Maple for crying out loud. What's wrong with this world?

Dfir or HF would be better anyway, or just like you said, dbl 2x's with 1/2" in between. We can pop right into HD and get both of those 4x4 species.

72chevy4x4 · 10-03-2009, 09:50 AM

I can get an 8' #2 post at HD....but I need an additional 10" of length :-(

wallmaxx · 10-03-2009, 10:16 AM

Here we have DF, PT Hemlock, and Cedar. You can order clear fir in any size / length - as in timber-frame work.
The first two are for load.
The cedar is more for looks.

I would use DF wherever possible for load areas that stay dry.