RealPost™ delivers engineered hollow-core posts that support 21,253 lbs at 6x6 sizing while eliminating the warping and twisting that plague solid timbers. The edge-laminated, finger-jointed construction creates dimensional stability that solid posts can’t match, and the hollow core on 6x6 and 8x8 sizes allows electrical wiring pass-through — solving two contractor headaches at once.
RealPost™ holds both CCMC #13314-R certification for Canada and Intertek CCRR-1102 for the USA, meeting IBC 2024 and American Wood Council requirements. Montana’s dry climate (EMC < 16%) falls perfectly within the product’s approved service conditions.
Load Capacities and Installation Requirements
The numbers tell the story contractors need to hear:
| Size | Actual Dimensions | Factored Axial Load (10ft) | Construction Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4x4 | 3.5” x 3.5” | 4,363 lbs | Solid, finger-jointed |
| 6x6 | 5.5” x 5.5” | 21,253 lbs | Hollow, edge-laminated |
| 8x8 | 7.25” x 7.25” | 31,684 lbs | Hollow, edge-laminated |
All capacities tested at 19% moisture content.
Installation demands precision. Posts require minimum 1” clearance above foundation and 6” above soil using code-compliant post bases. Fastening gets specific: toe-nail 4x4 and 6x6 posts with one 8d x 2.5” nail per face (4 top, 4 bottom). The 8x8 posts need two nails per face (8 top, 8 bottom). Lag screws max out at 1/2” diameter with pre-drilling required. Through-bolting on structural connections voids the warranty.
Electrical pass-through holes can’t exceed 3/4” diameter, must be centered, spaced at least 8” apart, and stay 8” minimum from top and bottom. The posts work with standard connectors from Simpson Strong-Tie (ABU/ABW/ABA), USP Structural Connectors, and Tamlyn.
Fire-Rated Option for Montana’s WUI Zones
Woodtone offers a Solid Engineered version with mass-timber construction that achieves 1-hour burn time and WUI Class A compliance. For contractors building in Montana’s extreme wildfire interface zones — where Ravalli County leads the state in structural fire risk — this certification matters. The fire-rated version maintains the same finger-jointed stability but uses a solid core instead of hollow construction.
Finishing and Warranty Requirements
Posts arrive factory-primed with Sherwin-Williams Hybrid Alkyd Emulsion in gray, brown, or beige. That primer buys 60 days to apply the topcoat — miss that window and the 15-year warranty disappears. Finishing requires two coats of exterior acrylic latex (satin, semi-gloss, or full-gloss) with total dry film thickness hitting 2.5 mils minimum.
Every cut end needs resealing with primer before installation. Natural wood characteristics like knot bleed, extractives, and grain variation aren’t warranty defects — they’re just wood being wood.
Professional builders appreciate the labor savings on finishing and the lack of warranty callbacks for twisting posts. The posts handle easier than solid timbers and take paint reliably. One critical warning from the field: burying these posts in ground or concrete voids the warranty immediately. Post bases aren’t optional.
RealPost™ serves porch posts, gazebos, pergolas, structural columns for residential construction, and railing systems. Available lengths include 8, 10, and 12 feet, with resawn or combed textures. The knotty SPF can be filled and finished for a blemish-free appearance when aesthetics matter.
For Montana contractors dealing with dry service conditions and EMC below 16%, RealPost™ solves real problems. The hollow-core design on larger sizes handles electrical routing. The engineered construction eliminates callbacks for warped posts. And for WUI projects, the fire-rated option meets code without compromising structural performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the actual load capacity of RealPost™ 6x6 posts? At 10 feet height, a 6x6 RealPost™ supports 21,253 lbs factored axial load at 19% moisture content. This capacity is certified under both CCMC #13314-R (Canada) and Intertek CCRR-1102 (USA).
Can I run electrical wire through these posts? Yes, on 6x6 and 8x8 hollow-core versions. Holes must stay under 3/4” diameter, be centered, maintain 8” spacing between holes, and stay 8” from top/bottom.
What happens if I don’t topcoat within 60 days? The 15-year warranty becomes void. Posts arrive with factory primer, but you must apply two coats of exterior acrylic latex within 60 days of installation.
Do these posts work in ground contact applications? No. Installing RealPost™ in ground or concrete immediately voids the warranty. Posts require code-compliant post bases with minimum 1” clearance above foundation or 6” above soil.
What’s different about the fire-rated version? The Solid Engineered version uses mass-timber construction with a solid core (not hollow) to achieve 1-hour burn time and WUI Class A compliance. It maintains the same finger-jointed stability as standard versions.
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