There are lots of people who like building their stuff which can range from swings to cupboards to deck and everything in between, some of which you can find in Sawinery’s list. However, not everyone can master the art of decoding how much suitable weight wooden beams of varied sizes can hold horizontally, with or without any vertical support.
People, who want to know how much weight can a 4×4 beam support, be it on the backyard swing set or the deck with a hot tub in it, worry not because we have got the answers for you.
4×4 Beam Strength
The weight that a 4×4 beam can support horizontally depends on the type and quality of the wood used. It could be a lot of weight for a layman who has no clue about a 4×4 beam’s horizontal weight support. Nowadays, most of the wooden lumbers are full of pervasive knots.
Also read, DIY Wood Projects For Beginners
Thus, people should check the wooden lumber carefully and buy only the wood that is free of knots. Another most important thing to remember while purchasing a 4×4 wooden beam for the horizontal weight support is the fact that it has got everything to do with the run.
For instance, people don’t want their six feet tank to be sagging from the middle of their wooden beam or plank. Thus, one should take into account the various aspects of the right vertical support even if the 4×4 wooden beams have the ability to hold the weight tightly along the six feet tank.
Builders make use of yellow pine during building constructions for holding up everything in the newly built houses, from the floors to porches, which in turn offer a minimum support of 35LBs per square foot.
Also read, DIY Project Ideas For Beginners
2×4 wooden beam vs 4×4 beam strength
In general, a 2×4 wooden beam can support the weight up to a ton horizontally, and thus, a wooden beam of 4×4 can easily support double of the weight mentioned above horizontally.
People make use of the 4×4 wooden beams for supporting the weight horizontally by placing them on the corners for supporting the tank or the deck without having to make it sag from the centre.
Also, some experts advise people to take advantage of the 2×4 wooden beams instead of the 4×4 wooden beams for supporting the weight of things horizontally because the former saves space. All one needs to do is alter the dimensions of deck or swing set to be built to fit inside the 2×4 wooden beams for supporting the weight horizontally.
You can build your own, then you would need some of the woodworking equipment such as portable workbench and other tools.
What is Post and Beam method:
Post and beam is a general term for building with heavy timbers. It is a building method that relies on heavy timbers rather than dimensional lumber. Post and beam and timber frame are two different methods of building but most people think of them as one and the same. Both are methods of building that create a frame that is self-sustaining and carries the weight of the house. The main difference in the two types of construction is the method of joining the parts.
How much weight can a 4×4 post support?
With the post in the vertical position, total height of 9 feet it is estimated to around 5000 lbs with a perfect weight repartitions on both 4×4 ends. (As quoted here)
Please comment your observations! And if you want some more DIY ideas, then check out the social media profile of Steve Young.
Loves home. I am here to provide how to make your home a much better place. 🙂 Blogging about HomeDecor, Home Improvements and more.
Thanks, this is what I’m always searching for.