Need Help What kind of 4x4 and 6x6 wood posts are you guys using?

[SW101]

Hi guys,

For years I have tried using Lowe's treated posts for ground burial to hold a sign up when a customer wants an all wooden sign. It was wreckless using those posts, you never knew whether the customer would be calling you 6 months down the road because the posts had warped, cracked, or thrown off all of the stain that may have been on it.... yes I know you should give treated lumber 6 months to dry out before staining but you can't always put off a job long enough for your treated posts to dry out.

I don't want to use crap anymore so I am asking for your all's advice. (please be gentle)

What kind of wood posts are you guys using when wood is necessary? Both 4x4 and 6x6? Treated pine? Cedar? Douglas Fir?

I don't mind spending the extra money on nicer posts that wont warp but I also want a post that I can stain immediately after I buy it.

I live in WV so a vendor on the east coast that you recommend would be necessary for me but I will take recommendations on wood types from anybody. Thanks so much!

 

[Gino]

For 4" x 4"s the second kiln dried will work, just use solid color stain for the painting...... but for 6" x 6"s, cedar are by far the best.

What we used to do was buy a sh!t load of treated and just keep them under wrap for a year before using them. Let them go through a few seasons before putting them out in the field. Treated are really only good for real estate signs.

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

I do like Gino mentioned for the real estate signs by a bunch of 4x4s and let them dry for a few months outside. It's better than having to run to the hardware store every time you want to put up a real estate sign

 

[ddarlak]

In the past I have used wet treated. To beat the warp I would screw together multiple dimensional boards to create a 4x6 or 6x6, then skin it with 1/2" cedar boards. Finish product are massive but look fantastic and hold up for seemingly ever. Not a cheap process, but effective if you can get customer to pay. If not, they get treated peely twisty 4" x 4"s.

I generally stick to digital printing now though. Easier money.

 

[visual800]

i shop an "open" lumber yard IF I need this wood and buy wood thats been outside but covered, so much better, lowes, HD is nothing but crap products

 

[SW101]

For 4" x 4"s the second kiln dried will work, just use solid color stain for the painting...... but for 6" x 6"s, cedar are by far the best.

What we used to do was buy a sh!t load of treated and just keep them under wrap for a year before using them. Let them go through a few seasons before putting them out in the field. Treated are really only good for real estate signs.

Gino: thanks for the information. Is it safe to stain the cedar as soon as you buy them?