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Shrinkage in Pressure Treated Post

Shrinkage in Pressure Treated Post

Shrinkage in Pressure Treated Post

(OP)
I'm working with a homeowner restoring and repairing an old house.  In the basement we re-supported the main floor girder with (3)-8x8 pressure treated posts. Another contractor at the site bought up the concern of shrinkage.  The posts are about 7 feet tall.  I'm looking for info on an approximate magnitude of shrinkage in the longitudinal direction.  

Shrinkage for green wood in longitudinal direction is about 0.1% - 0.2%   So we are talking about an 1/8".  I'm telling the owner, it's a valid point....but not a concern.

Your thoughts, links, opinions appreciated.

Iron-mon

RE: Shrinkage in Pressure Treated Post

Shrinkage in the longitudinal direction should be next to nil... possibly in the order of 0.1%

Dik

RE: Shrinkage in Pressure Treated Post

The o.1 - 0.2 figure is from a moisture content of 30 % to oven dry, a moisture content of 0.  Generally longitudinal shrinkage is not of a concern.  I would not worry about it.

The other question would be is pressure treated wood required.  If the basement has a concrete floor by using a steel base plate 1" thick, you probably do not need treated wood.

The use of untreated wood would be a cost savings.

RE: Shrinkage in Pressure Treated Post

RARSWC, that depends where the house is.  In some warm climate areas, ALL wood is pressure treated for termite protection.

RE: Shrinkage in Pressure Treated Post

(OP)
Location is the Greater Philadelphia Area.
And I do think it is prudent to use either steel (my first choice) or treated wood for posts in basements.

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