Deck Post Types

How should I make the posts for my deck?

Remember the advantages of a wrapped post?

• The wrapped post makes for an easier rail installation.
• The larger post has a nicer look.
• The wrap material won't split and check like a solid post.
• If done like style "a" it can provide storage for wiring

Type 'a'
This is a good choice in post style. The 4x4 treated post is brought up to about a 36" height. Then it is wrapped in Ipe, but the wrap is brought up to 36" + 3-1/2" = 39-1/2" (+/-). This gives you the ability to use the Pocket Block type of post cap which allows for a slip in and do nothing installation. The removeable cap provides storage under neath for wiring or whatever. The thin wires are stapled to the treated post before wrapping, and the excess ends of the wires are stored under the cap block for future lighting.

Type 'b'
This is your typical wrapped post. The 4x4 treated post and the wrap materials are all brought up to the same desired height. The 1x4 is put on the railing side of the post and then the 1x6 covers the total edge of the 1x4-plus the post-and the other 1x4. Since the 1x6 measures 5-1/2" and the 2-1x4's and the post only add up to 5", the 1x6 will overlap both edges by about a 1/4". This makes for an easy install since that overlap covers any irregularities in thickness of what it's covering and the overlap still looks good. If the post wrapping was brought up to a nice level height you could use less expensive flat bottom post caps, otherwise a recessed bottom cap could be used, and if your post wrap was at least 1-1/2" higher then the treated post inside, then you could use a pocket block cap.

Type 'c'
This is a wrapped post again, but here the overlapping 1x6 is routered back or cut flush to the 1x4's in an attempt to make it look like a solid post. This is a nice look but requires a lot of extra work in order to really pull it off well. Trying to rip the 1x6 to the right size gets frustrating since the 1x4 follows the in's and outs of the 4x4 post which is never perfectly straight. You can successfully router the edge back to the 1x4 but you'd have to do this all before installing the 4x4 post because you can't run the router all the way down when it's installed. Then you have the dissappointment of the seam coming apart here and there, so unless you have a shop and can do it nicely, you're better off doing the regular overlapping wrap as in 'type b' above. However,the type 'c' is a beautiful thing if done correctly. If done this way, a special sized recessed cap can be ordered that will cover approx. 5-1/8" square.

Type 'd'
This is a solid 6x6 post. Very rare, and hard to find in the extreme hardwoods like Ipe. Sometimes a solid 6x6 pressure treated post is started at the lower level deck and runs right on through the upper level deck and ends off as a rail height post on the 2nd level. Perhaps it will be painted. The solid post can get a recessed post cap.

Type 'e'
This is the solid 4x4 post. At this point, this is probably the most popular post because people havn't read my site. We sell lots of recessed post caps for these 4x4's. As discussed elsewhere on my site, the solid 4x4 post makes for a more difficult railing installation if you want to hide the fastening hardware.