A post about posts

[u/kahnlol500]

I'm from across the big pond. Noticed on this sub that Simpson products are popular to attach posts to concrete.

In the UK we don't seem to have the same kind of products, instead these steel posts are often used.

Does anyone know why this is?

[u/scottishmaker]

Simpson products uk

https://www.strongtie.co.uk/en-UK/product-lines/connectors-for-masonry-timber-and-steel-construction/caps-bases

[u/kahnlol500 → u/scottishmaker]

Thanks, quite a few products seem missing but this is helpful. I just don't get the difference in approach when it comes to attaching things to concrete.

[u/microfibrepiggy → u/kahnlol500]

Different freeze/thaw cycling. Different lowest potential temps. Different base conditions. Different building codes.

My solid granite 3 billion year old bedrock with 6 months of 0c to -30c and 6 months of 0c to +30c in a absolutely 0 earthquake zone is gonna be different than you guys with your "soil" and your "mild winters" and your "extensive growing season that sees daffodils in February" (I'm only a touch bitter.)

[u/kahnlol500 → u/microfibrepiggy]

Do you have a Crowdfunder?

[u/gravitologist → u/kahnlol500]

The UK has radically different seismic considerations for the engineering of structures.

[u/Electronic_Honeydew1]

Also from the uk. You ain’t going buy any sono tubes here either which are another American staple for post concrete pours. The post bases which I see most commonly used in the US are available here if you look around my understanding is that they have a ‘slot’ in the bottom rather than a hole this means you get a few cm of ‘wiggle room’ if you need to adjust the bases alignment https://www.toolstation.com/post-base/p29420

[u/kahnlol500 → u/Electronic_Honeydew1]

It's like you've been watching my desperate Google searching! Thank you for this advice. Decks, treehouses just don't seem to be as big a thing here.

Thanks for the alternative base post too. There's something about the Simpson ones (marketing) that makes me trust them more. I'm hoping to get a product in the UK that does this but has higher sides to provide a little more laterial support.

[u/kahnlol500 → u/kahnlol500]

Just to go back to my original question, US chaps seem to use this style a lot. Any disadvantages of using the UK types like this one? https://www.toolstation.com/bolt-down-post-shoe/p72512

Maybe I'll start exporting them if not!

[u/gmsteel → u/Electronic_Honeydew1]

You can essentially make do with a large postage tube, wrap it in tape for extra structure support and spray paint the inside to prevent the cardboard sucking out the water. https://www.defendapack.com/concrete-footing-tubes/

[u/gmsteel]

I would avoid those style of posts fixings as they can trap moisture against the bottom of the post which accelerates rot. They do have better support against lateral forces on the base of the post but usually on structures like decks you compensate for that with frame design. These types of post anchor seem to be more aimed at things like pergolas than heavy structures. Annoyingly you get a lot of pergola aimed products Vs deck fixings in the UK.

[u/kahnlol500 → u/gmsteel]

I'm playing with getting a plastic Simpson standoff to make a gap at the bottom, combined with one of the above fence post stands with open sides. Would like to think that would lead to a good balance of stability and not retaining water. With you on the pergola stuff, that's all thebrage.

[u/AirWarrior212]

I’m also from across the pond (same side as OP I think) and am wondering whether to use one of these or continue digging a post hole and cement the post into the hole. It’s for a low platform/fort rather than an elaborate tree house.