post and pier vs slab

[unknownjulie]

I just like to know exactly what's going on and why. I never just hand someone money to do work for me. I want it "overbuilt" anyhow, and will probably pay more to do this.

[kander]

Hi, Im new here been lurking for a while but I was wondering if anyone has used steel for the post construction? It seems they would be far stronger than wood for size and if protected with epoxy paint should outlast any soggy termite infested log?

[Rob Tucker]

I've done a number of homes with steel. Wood is a poor choice for anything structural. Galvanized steel will always out perform wood.
The main difference is there is almost no waste and you use screws instead of nails.

[kander]

Thanks Rob,
What would you typically use instead of 8x8 post spec in steel on a 8' rise? I beam with welded plates on each end or would angle work? Curious Who sells bulk steel? you mention galvanized so that seems there might be prefabbed steel posts available?

[Rob Tucker]

There is no such thing as 'typically used' in wood or steel. It depends on the design and associated loads. Most framing can be done with light gauge steel which does not require welding.

In steel there are choices available in both shape and thickness. A 2"x4" steel shape is stronger than a wood 2x4 depending on the gauge (thickness) of the steel. In most all instances steel is stronger and lighter than comparable sized wood... and it is straight, without defects and can be ordered cut precisely to length (minimal waste). All of our steel is ordered in from Honolulu.

I don't have time for a major tutorial on the subject. Do a little reading online. Home Depot sells light gauge steel studs.

Costs are fairly comparable.

[ericlp]

with the earthquakes we get around here ... I'm thinking wood will outperform steel. As wood will flex unlike steel. But what's just me. There is a lot info on the net. That's also a concern with cracking of slabs during a nice jolt.

[Rob Tucker]

quote:

---

Originally posted by ericlp

with the earthquakes we get around here ... I'm thinking wood will outperform steel. As wood will flex unlike steel. But what's just me. There is a lot info on the net. That's also a concern with cracking of slabs during a nice jolt.

---

I think that rumor was planted by the timber industry. I worked for eighteen months on the recovery from the Northridge Earthquake. I will never build a wood frame home again.

Engineering so distrusts wood frame that wood has become an infill material between metal connectors. Simpson has made billions selling steel connections for wood. Steel doesn't crack, split or break.

[DrWho]

what about building a house from cinder blocks. the roof would still be wood but block walls

the doc is in...

[jlgerk]

@DrWho
why would the roof have to be wood ?

[Rob Tucker]

You can build from cinder blocks. They would need to be grouted and have rebar, otherwise they are kind of a death trap in an earthquake. There are only two main downsides to block work.

1) It requires mason's skills. Masons are expensive.
2) The thermal mass properties are kind of a negative in the tropics. The masonry holds heat.

Indeed, why use wood for the roof framing? Why is everyone so in love with a material that rots, burns, cracks, splits, warps, has a high waste factor, gets eaten by termites and has a lot of inherent defects? It is not even cheap.

Rarely does business invest in wood buildings. Prudent money doesn't build with wood.