I can mill you beams cheaper than that. Pick up is in Idaho. We ju had a big wind storm come through. I am cutting trees up tomorrow and then will mill into beams/posts. Those are crazy prices for fir and pine.
The "easy button" would be steel posts wrapped with what ever flavor of wood you prefer. Not sure where you are located. However, based on the link above, assuming east of Mississippi. Woods I would consider for your project:
1) White Oak - By far the strongest, most weather resistant of the hard woods in the eastern U.S. "Closed cell", so will not soak up or transmit water. Think oak staves in bourbon barrels. Think sill plates in covered bridges with continuous ground ground contact for decades. Not cheap, but nothing better in the eastern U.S. I would bet that you could find a custom sawyer within half a day travel distance who could source and saw out white oak timbers to your spec for significantly less than the prices noted above. ForestryForum DOT Com has a list of custom sawyers across the U.S. that might be a starting point.
2) Cedar - Need to differentiate between Eastern Red Cedar and Western Red Cedar - I am only familiar with the Eastern variety. The red heartwood is very rot-resistant. And very pretty. Might be difficult to source the size pieces you are spec'ing. But not impossible. Richard Newton at CedarUSA DOT com in Marengo, IN could provide some insight on availability and pricing.
3) Sacrilege to some on here, but Black Walnut - Strong. Nearly as rot-resistant as White Oak. Was used as a substitute for white oak in covered bridges when white oak was not available. And contrary to popular belief, not every walnut log is a $1,000 veneer log. The scruffy walnut logs that I sawed into trailer decking for my lawn mower trailer have lasted 11 summers so far, versus the original treated pine lumber that had to be replaced after 5 summers.
4) Cypress - No personal experience. However, my understanding, it is frequently used in Southern U.S. for outdoor projects. Should not be a problem to find the size pieces that you are looking for.
Sorry for the long winded post. Regardless of your wood choice, Good Luck with your project !
I can mill you beams cheaper than that. Pick up is in Idaho. We ju had a big wind storm come through. I am cutting trees up tomorrow and then will mill into beams/posts. Those are crazy prices for fir and pine.
Strength and density Doug fir Source directly from someone that will mill directly for you - best quality and cost Surface applied rather than pressure treating weatherization is adequate for other than ground contact as the natural tannins in cedar Both still require maintenance even if a weathered appearance desired
Douglas fir is not actually a fir tree but like cedar a member of the pine family😀
Last edited by moose95; 01/16/21.
There is room for all of gods creatures ... right next to the mashed potatoes
I can mill you beams cheaper than that. Pick up is in Idaho. We ju had a big wind storm come through. I am cutting trees up tomorrow and then will mill into beams/posts. Those are crazy prices for fir and pine.
2) Cedar - Need to differentiate between Eastern Red Cedar and Western Red Cedar - I am only familiar with the Eastern variety. The red heartwood is very rot-resistant. And very pretty. Might be difficult to source the size pieces you are spec'ing. But not impossible. Richard Newton at CedarUSA DOT com in Marengo, IN could provide some insight on availability and pricing.
He's talking Western. You'd have an awful time finding Eastern in a all-heart 10"x10" and even worse in a 12"x12"
I can mill you beams cheaper than that. Pick up is in Idaho. We ju had a big wind storm come through. I am cutting trees up tomorrow and then will mill into beams/posts. Those are crazy prices for fir and pine.
IF you have blow down available do you have any Cedar logs 10 to 12 `` DIA, the length he needs , ,no mill work needed. his gables can be board and batten cedar for continuity.
norm
There is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of even one small candle----Robert Alden . If it wern't entertaining, I wouldn't keep coming back.------the BigSky
Here I am cutting a dovetail notch in a white pine log.
My helper Adam cleans up a dovetail notch with the slick.
simon, It is so interesting to see you guys in NC work with wood. We just can't use it much down here in FL. The rot process and sun damage is so fast. Not to mention, termites and such.
Please share more pics.
Slaves get what they need. Free men get what they want.