Can you Direct Bury Wooden Posts?  

Wooden posts are the foundation of pole building construction. Before pushing through all the strenuous labor of digging your post holes, setting your posts, and constructing your building, one should consider which materials would endure the best in the long term. There’s actually quite a few options with varying degrees of quality that can extend the life of your structure and potentially improve its integrity. Knowing the best choice for your application could save the tremendous cost of rebuilding in the future.

Let’s take a look at the options. 

Raising the Sheridan Barn, 1872, Shorpy.com

Post-frame structures have been around for 100 years. They’re built upon the principle of simple but sturdy construction to cut costs and not space. Think of the arch of a bridge. Dozens of posts work together to hold up a long platform. Its strength is in its numbers, the materials used, and how they fit together. In a pole building, wooden posts are set in the ground, spaced farther apart than typical studs, allowing for large open spaces without the need for interior walls.

Bridges are built with steel for maximum strength, but post-frame buildings use wood to keep costs low. Since bare wood can rot when in direct contact with the ground, treated lumber became the industry standard.

Chemically infused lumber, or pressure-treated wood makes the wood itself resistant to decay and insects. This is a powerful improvement, taking the lifespan of the wooden post from 1-2 years to 20 years. Additional treatments can also be applied at the base of the post where it touches the ground, ensuring an even longer life.

Treated in-ground posts are fine for most applications, but here are 2 more innovative options for even greater durability:

GreenPost is a cutting-edge solution designed to protect wooden posts from decay and rot. Here’s how it works:

·      Plastic Wrap: The core of GreenPost’s technology is a heavy-duty polyethylene wrap that is coated on the inside with bitumen. When heat is applied, the bitumen liquifies and penetrates the wood, creating a secondary moisture-resistant layer. Not only does it keep the bad stuff out, but it also keeps the good stuff in.

·      Uplift Restraint Notch: This feature provides enhanced resistance to wind uplift, ensuring that the posts remain securely in place even under harsh conditions. Maximum anchorage is achieved when combined with concrete footers.

·      Termite Tested and Building Code Compliant

Perma-Column® elevates wooden posts out of the ground and eliminates rot. The in-ground post is actually a specially-built concrete post. This engineered foundation is 3x as strong as standard concrete. It combines the economy of post-frame construction with the durability of a concrete foundation.

• Eliminates direct soil contact
• Easy to install
• Stronger foundation
• Lifetime Warranty

In conclusion, while burying pressure-treated wooden posts in the ground is generally fine for most applications, it’s important to know your options to make an informed decision. Solutions like GreenPost and Perma-Column® offer valuable alternatives that can enhance the quality and endurance of your pole building.

Timberline Buildings has been constructing high quality pole barns in Pennsylvania since 2003. With attention to detail and a focus on excellent service, pole buildings from Timberline Buildings are built to exceed your expectations. Ready to get started on your new pole barn? Contact us today for your free 1-day quote.