Cedar vs. Pressure Treated Posts
Cedar vs. Pressure Treated Posts
(OP)
Does anyone have any experience with or knowledge regarding the durability and structural strength of Cedar vs. Pressure Treated wood posts? I can not find useful information comparing the structural properties of both types of wood. The typical application I am looking for would be wood posts for decks and small elevated backyard structures such as tree houses.
I know pressure treated wood is more durable but are there other factors to consider? Which post can I enclosed in concrete?
I know pressure treated wood is more durable but are there other factors to consider? Which post can I enclosed in concrete?






RE: Cedar vs. Pressure Treated Posts
RE: Cedar vs. Pressure Treated Posts
Mike McCann
McCann Engineering
RE: Cedar vs. Pressure Treated Posts
RE: Cedar vs. Pressure Treated Posts
The concrete will last, give greater lateral and vertical strength, so you can replace the temporary wood as necessary.
RE: Cedar vs. Pressure Treated Posts
An alternative to concrete footings for decks in the Oz Post.
Check it out:
http://www.oz-post.com/html/videos.php
RE: Cedar vs. Pressure Treated Posts
RE: Cedar vs. Pressure Treated Posts
Are you actually serious about using a real estate "for sale" sign base for vetical loads? You will probably need 1 for every two square foot of loaded area.
RE: Cedar vs. Pressure Treated Posts
Only the heart wood of cedar is decay resistant. Cedar posts embeded in the ground may show serious signs of deterioration in as little as 8 years. If the material is only exposed to the weather, and I didn't want to use pressure treated wood, I would use all heart wood Redwood.
RE: Cedar vs. Pressure Treated Posts
RE: Cedar vs. Pressure Treated Posts
RE: Cedar vs. Pressure Treated Posts
ht
www.SlideRuleEra.net![[idea] idea](https://www.tipmaster.com/images/idea.gif)
RE: Cedar vs. Pressure Treated Posts
The previuos are good studies for fences. The older one is almost as old as my diploma and registration.
Decks and playhouses have different loadings, verificationability, constructability and code requirements that do not apply to fences.
From what I have seen for more permanent structures, the best solution to use is a concrete column/
Sonotube below grade with or w/o a bell-shaped bottom. This gives you a predictable support that complies with codes and keeps the permanent part of the structure in the ground (or a few inches above).
Insert a a suitable metal connection compatible with the chemistry of the wood (if necessary), and attach the wood post/column that is a part of the structure. This keeps the semi-permanent material out of the soil, permits an accurate of the necessary height of the structure and permits the replacement of the post in case of deterioration or change in structure use. - Not a moment connection, but what can you really rely on with most wood?
The choice of wood will be determined by the species LOCALLY available and the preservative methods and concentrations.
For fence posts (and similar applications), usually, most wood should not be encased in concrete unless you have severe lateral or corner/anchor loadings that require the extra area. There are many methods that minimize the wetting/drying exposure of the wood in concrete. These typically involve having the concrete project several inches with a top that slopes to shed water.
For decks, embedded wood posts and sheet metal driving points are usually not approved, or verifyable. For temporary structures, it is a matter of what is permitted for the application. - Narrow line between DIY and engineeres structres that are geared for constructability and life safety.
Dick
RE: Cedar vs. Pressure Treated Posts
Where are you drawing your information from? Is it personel experience or are there actual articles and reference materials I can use for my own research?
The links provided are for fence posts but I am looking for structural applications.