Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 2/12/2009

Question
QUESTION: I am designing a new house for clients. I am a draftsman/designer for residential projects in Hawaii. This house will have a covered deck with built-up wood columns. I want to know how a built up column is constructed around 4x4 posts. I want to frame the 4x4x9 posts out to 8x8x9.The five posts are to be placed between 12'-0" to 16'-0" apart. Stainless steel flat rail/horizontal wire railing system between each posts.

ANSWER: Hi Lee, it's rather simple really.  The colums in your case can have a 2x6x9' attached to the two sides facing the railings. This will give you a width of 6 1/2" x 5 1/2". On the 5 1/2" sides you add strips of 1/2" plywood to give you the column thickness at this point of 6 1/2" x 6 1/2".  At this point you take your finish wood and attach it to the columns.  You will need to rip one by eights to 6 1/2" width and apply them to the 6 1/2" face and then rip 1x10 to eight inches for the remaining sides.  Or you can use 3/4" bc or ac exterior glued plywood ripped to the proper dimensions.  If you want mitered corners then all of the wood will have to be 1x10 ripped with 45 degree edges or the plywood.   I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com..ps if you go to my website on the "recent projects" page you can see the boxed columns we did on the Chapel at Bethany Center.  These were wrapped with Hardi panel and Hardi Trim..

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QUESTION: I, initially designed it using blocking at the face of the 4x4,then 1/2" plywood to 4 sides,then 1x exterior grade wood to finish.Would you consider your method commonly used by builders?I want to make it as easy as possible to keep the labor cost down for the client.thanks.Lee Manfredi

Answer
Hi Lee, your method will work fine.  Any way to furr out the column and provide a base for the finish wood is okay.  In my suggested design I used a solid 2x6 on the sides facing the railing to provide a solid form of attachment for the railing.  You can accomplish the same with just a four foot high 2x6 on each side or some other form of blocking where the railing attaches to the post/column.  I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com