When you’re building a pole barn, the posts you choose are one of the most important decisions you’ll make. They’re the backbone of your structure, and they need to be strong, durable, and built to last. At DIY Pole Barns, we don’t just supply laminated posts, we supply engineered laminated posts that are designed to be better than anything else on the market.
What makes our posts different? While many laminated posts are simply nailed together, ours are engineered for strength and durability with features like glue between layers, seamless finger jointing, and treated lumber at the base for ground-contact protection.
These aren’t just small details, they’re what make our posts stronger, longer-lasting, and better suited for your pole barn than traditional solid wood or standard laminated posts.
Let’s break it down so you can see why our laminated posts are the best choice for your project.
What Are Laminated Posts?
Laminated posts are made by stacking and joining multiple smaller boards (called plies) to create a single strong post. At DIY Pole Barns, we use 2×6 or 2×8 boards that are nailed and glued together to form a post that’s stronger and more reliable than a single piece of solid wood (like a 6×6).
Here’s what makes our laminated posts stand out:
- Glue Between Layers: We use industrial-grade glue between each layer to create a permanent bond. This glue doesn’t just hold the boards together—it also prevents moisture from getting inside, which helps protect against rot.
- Finger Jointing: Where the treated lumber at the bottom of the post meets the non-treated lumber above ground, we use precision-cut finger joints. These interlocking joints create a seamless connection that’s incredibly strong and eliminates weak points.
- Treated Lumber at the Base: The bottom of each post is made from treated lumber to protect against rot and decay where it touches the ground. The untreated lumber above ground stays dry and strong without needing chemical treatment.
Why Laminated Posts Are Stronger Than Solid Wood
If you’ve ever seen a solid wood post (like a 6×6), you know it’s just one big piece of wood. While that might seem strong, it actually has some serious weaknesses.
For example, a single piece of wood can have natural defects like knots or cracks that weaken it. If those defects are in a critical spot, they can cause the post to fail under pressure.
Solid wood also tends to warp or twist over time as it dries out or reacts to changes in humidity. This can throw off the alignment of your entire barn.
Laminated posts solve these problems by layering smaller boards together:
- Any knots or imperfections in one board are spread across multiple layers, so they don’t weaken the whole post.
- The glue and nails hold all the layers together, making them act as one incredibly strong unit.
- Laminated posts stay straight over time because their layers balance each other out.
In fact, our laminated posts are up to twice as strong as solid wood posts of the same size!
Built for Durability
A pole barn needs to stand up to tough conditions—wind, snow, rain, and even pests like termites. That’s why we design our laminated posts to be as durable as possible.
The bottom part of each post is made from treated lumber that resists rot and insects. This is critical because this part of the post is in contact with soil or concrete, where moisture is present.
On the other hand, the upper part of each post is made from untreated lumber because it doesn’t need chemical treatment once it’s safely above ground level. This keeps your structure strong while reducing unnecessary chemical exposure.
In addition,the glue between each layer seals out moisture, so water can’t get inside and cause rot.
This combination of materials means our posts will last longer than solid wood or standard laminated options.
Seamless Transitions with Finger Jointing
One of the most innovative features of our posts is how we join treated lumber at the base with non-treated lumber above ground using finger jointing.
But what is finger jointing?
Imagine two pieces of wood cut into interlocking “fingers” that fit perfectly together, kind of like two hands clasping each other. These joints are glued together to create a seamless connection that’s incredibly strong.
Finger jointing ensures there’s no weak spot where treated lumber transitions into non-treated lumber. This keeps your post strong from top to bottom while protecting it where it matters most—at ground level.
Perfect for Length and Strength are Required
Solid sawn posts become harder to find (and more expensive) at longer lengths because they rely on cutting large trees into single pieces. Laminated posts solve this problem by using shorter boards joined together with finger joints.
They can also be manufactured in lengths exceeding 40 feet without sacrificing strength or stability, and eliminate weak points by staggering joints across layers so no two joints line up.
This makes them perfect for large barns, workshops, garages, or any structure requiring extra height or width.
How Do Laminated Posts Compare?
| Feature | DIY’s Engineered Laminated Posts | Standard Laminated Posts | Solid Sawn Posts |
| Strength | Glue between layers; finger jointing eliminates weak points; up to 2x stronger than solid wood. | Butt-joints without finger jointing; weaker under heavy loads. | Limited by natural defects like knots, weaker under stress. |
| Durability | Treated base resists rot; glue seals out moisture; lasts decades. | Treated base resists rot; glue seals out moisture; lasts decades. | Untreated cores prone to rot; limited preservative penetration. |
| Stability | Resists warping/twisting; stays straight over time. | May warp if not properly assembled. | Prone to twisting/warping due to uneven drying or environmental changes. |
| Length Options | Can exceed 40 feet using finger joints for seamless spans. | Limited by inconsistent assembly; longer spans may be unreliable. | Difficult to source beyond 20 feet due to log size limitations. |
Why DIY Pole Barns Uses Engineered Laminated Posts
At DIY Pole Barns, we believe your pole barn should be built on a foundation that lasts, and our engineered laminated posts deliver just that:
- They’re stronger than both solid wood and standard laminated options thanks to glue bonding and finger jointing.
- They’re built for durability with treated lumber at the base and waterproof glue between layers.
- They stay straight over time, eliminating problems like warping or twisting.
- They’re perfect for long spans without weak points.
By choosing DIY Pole Barns’ laminated posts, you’re investing in a structure that will stand strong for decades.
Backed by Our Lifetime Limited Warranty
We’re so confident in the quality of our laminated posts that we back them with a Lifetime Limited Warranty! This warranty protects your investment against material defects caused by decay or insect damage, giving you peace of mind that your pole barn will remain structurally sound for years to come.
Build Stronger with DIY Pole Barns!
If you want a pole barn built on strength, durability, and reliability—not just “good enough”—our engineered laminated posts are the way to go! From agricultural barns to residential workshops, our kits include everything you need to build a structure that lasts.
Call our knowledgeable staff at 800-622-4242. If you’re ready to build your pole building, lock in a quote with DIY Pole Barns using our Instant Quote tool!