4x4 Vs 6x6 Deck Post

This pier is made from high quality concrete to maintain long lasting strength.
4x4 vs 6x6 deck post. Though the height of a deck is often questioned only in regard to the requirement for guards it is a factor in determining the height or span of the posts. Deck is located in texas so snow is not a concern. Building codes for residential decks only require 40 psf. This concrete post support pier helps simplify building a deck.
My concern is that all the information i ve found on decks shows people using 6x6 posts as the main supporting structure with beams on top of those and joists on top of the beams. By the way it looks like the residential wood deck construction guide requires 6x6 minimum for posts. You can have a strong and durable deck without the hassle of mixing and pouring concrete on your own. I only see 4x4 posts used to form the supports for the railings.
If your ahj uses that as a model code you ll be using 6x6s. Many contractors and deck construction guides such as the popular dca 6 09 from the american wood council have simply defaulted to using 6x6 posts in all applications but many other builders and how to guides rarely use anything other than a 4x4. 4x4 s are subject to some serious bending as they dry. Any post more than 8 feet long we use 4x6 or 6x6.
6x6 is not for the vertical load it s for the lateral load. This sturdy post support pier stabilizes the posts for your deck. Design load tables for wood columns posts 4x4 through 12x12 incised 4x4 and 4x6 in a wood structure whether it is a deck or a five story wood frame building solid wood columns posts are often used. 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.
A short 4x4 can carry an awfully big load and many deck builders use 6x6 posts as a standard regardless of the height or load of the deck. For pressure preservative treated southern pine no. 4x4 6x6 deck block at menards. Simpson strong tie post anchor stainless steel post bases regular column base post bases 4x4 poly hamaca support.
The longer the joist the more area of deck the joist supports and thus the beam supports. Simpson strong tie outdoor accents mission collection zmax black powder coated post base for 6x6 nominal lumber model apb66 view the outdoor accents decorative hardware 36 74 36 74. We only use 4x4 s when the deck is near grade. Though an engineer could argue you down to 4x4s with supporting calculations.
On my own deck i had to replace a 6x6 after a year when it bowed almost 1 1 2 inches. 6 6 deck posts is key to making all other decisions about your front porch. How high off the ground is your deck. 2 grade there is a method that can be used for estimating beam spans for a preliminary design.