DIY Beam Posts
Beam and post construction is a way to build a house or building using heavy beams or timbers as the load-bearing walls. The posts are the vertical timbers and the beams are the horizontal timbers. They come in various sizes, but are often 4-inches by 6-inches or 6-inches by-8-inches in various lengths depending on the size of the building you are constructing. DIY homeowners can construct these with just a few tools and the proper technique. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Ladder
- Shovel
- Concrete
- Water
- Wheelbarrow
- Trowel
- Hammer
- Spikes
Instructions
-
-
1
Determine the size of the house or building you are constructing and determine how many posts will be needed. One post is necessary for every corner and where the horizontal beams will meet. A rule of thumb is one post for every 8 feet along the sides of the building.
-
2
Dig holes in the ground for the post to be placed in. Mark the hole locations in each corner of the area where you are constructing the building and dig a hole at least 6 inches deep in the ground. This will be deep enough to get below the frost line. Measure out 8 feet and dig holes for the posts between the corner posts to help strengthen the beams when they are installed.
-
-
3
Mix concrete and water into a wheelbarrow. Stir it up with a trowel until it achieves the consistency of peanut butter. Hold the post up straight in the hole and pour the concrete in. Hold the post in place until the concrete begins to harden and repeat the process for all of the other holes.
-
4
Hold the first beam up in place at the top of the post. Have a helper hold one end while you hammer the other in place with 4-inch spikes. Insert two spikes through the beam and into the post. Repeat the process for the other side of the post.
-
5
Measure from the top of the post halfway to the ground and install another beam directly across in the same manner. Continue the same way, installing the beams to the posts around the entire area. Grip the posts and verify they are secure in place and strong enough to support the weight of a roof on top of them.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
There are tools like a post hole digger and an auger that can be used to dig holes in the ground, but a shovel can also do the job.
