Installation Guide
always there, naturally
8007 Aitken Road
Chilliwack, British Columbia
Canada, V2R 4H5
Telephone 604 792 3680
Facsimile 604 792 3976
www.woodtone.com
US RealPost™ Handling and Installation Instructions
Storage and Handling
Place the first set of wood strips on a level dry surface.
Material should be supported 4” above the ground to
allow for free air movement and to prevent contact with
ground moisture.
Space wood strips a maximum of 6’ apart. Stack wood
strips directly above one another. Maximum storage
height of 10’ is recommended.
Installation
Raised Base Connection
Column Base Connection
Column Cap Connection
RealPost™ is intended for axial loading only.
Column bases and Column caps are required when the column has
been designed for use in an uplift application. Simpson Strong Tie
products or equal are to be used. Refer to the hardware manufactur-
ers instructions for capacities and connector attachment.
For vertical load only applications a nailed connection can be imple-
mented. Toe-nail the column to the supporting structure as follows:
o 4x4 and 6x6 Columns 1-8d x 2½” nail per column face for a total
of 4 nails at the bottom and 4 nails at the top.
o 8x8 Columns 2-8d x 2½” nails per column face for a total of 8
nails at the bottom and 8 nails at the top.
Where the column is in close contact with the foundation or
soil a column base is to be used to raise the column a
minimum of 1” above the foundation or 6” above the soil.
It is recommended that all connector holes be pre-drilled.
Through-bolting is not permitted on structural connections on
RealPost™ Pilot holes are required for lag screws, and the
Maximum permitted lag screw diameter is ½”.
Nail and screw applications are subject to the specifications published
in NDS 2005 for the applicable wood speciesused in RealPost™, as
referenced in the 2006 International Building Code.
Notching of load bearing RealPost™ is permitted only with
prior approval from Woodtone.
RealPost™ is intended for use in dry service conditions. These are
conditions where the equilibrium moisture content of the wood is
less than 16%. RealPost™ products used in exterior construction
in protected or semi-protected locations such as under roof or
porch canopies or overhangs, or in locations where it is wet for
short periods of time will typically have a equilibrium moisture
content of not more than 16% and may be used.
Any cut or application method that exposes the void space in the
center, must be filled with a shim, or flashed with galvanized
flashing or sealed with exterior latex caulk to prevent moisture
from entering this space.
RealPost™ products are manufactured with Western SPF, they
are also available in Red Cedar and Douglas-fir (Fir-Larch).
Hole sizes shall be limited to ¾” diameter for 6x6 and 8x8 posts.
Holes shall be centered on the post and spaced vertically at least
8” apart for multiple holes. Holes in addition to those required for
Installation of approved column caps and bases are not permitted
within 8” of the top or bottom of the post.
To ensure lasting durability and to prevent moisture damage
RealPost™ needs to be top-coated with two coats of a 100%
acrylic latex exterior coating. Contact Woodtone directly with any
painting questions.
Trimming to length on site is permitted. The trimmed end shall be
re-sealed prior to installation. Ensure all cuts are square and
straight.
It is the responsibility of the building designer to ensure that all
building codes and local jurisdiction requirements are met.
Contact Woodtone for all other inquiries.
All post ends are factory sealed to prevent water dam-
age. Trimmed material will require end sealing with an
alkyd-oil primer or equivalent.
Material wrap is slippery when wet or frozen, to pre-
vent injury do not allow workers to walk on bundles.
Store all products wrapped in the original wrapping.
Do not re-wrap wet material.
NOTE:
Simpson Strongtie ABU/ABW connector
Shown in the example to the left. We
recommend using connector products
from one of these three companies: