6 x 6 or 8 x 8 , 16' hemlock polebarn posts, set on top of concrete, twist???

[BobHolliday]

I have some Amish guys that are going to build me a board and batten pole barn, either 30x50 or 40x60, mainly out of rough cut hemlock, with sliding barn doors.

They are thinking they would like to pour concrete footers for the posts and then set them on top with metal brackets.  They felt using hemlock would be cheaper (their community sawmill) and the inside of the pole barn would have a nicer look with all the material being mainly hemlock. They are also open to using laminated posts (PT at bottom to set in ground).

My concern is will the 6x6 or 8x8 hemlock posts twist?

Thanks...                   

"A rookie with the use of Hemlock"

[Hackermatack]

Probably not anymore than a PT 6x6 would, I doubt you would get enough twisting to cause a problem. This is probably not their first pole barn go look at other buildings they have used hemlock in. 

[BobHolliday]

Thanks for the advice and heads up, I appreciate it...

[btulloh]

Just based on what I've seen, I would expect more problems with PT. 

X2 on the looking at some the other buildings they've built. 

[Bandmill Bandit]

Wouldn't set the poles on a concrete footing based on more than a few years of experiance. Set em on at  least a foot of 2 inch washed drain rock and cement them in. You'll be much happier in the long run Especially in a clay type soil.  

[BobHolliday]

I am having some Amish guys build a pole barn for me out of hemlock including the posts.  Should it go up green or wait until in drys ?

[thecfarm]

I have built 2 out buildings with green hemlock. And I do mean green. A lot of lumber was used the same day the tree was cut down. Some even hours. I cut the tree down, haul it out of the woods to the saw mill, saw it and build with it. The only problem is, put 2 boards together, side by side and you can almost stick your fingers between the boards. I plan on a garage this summer, same way, green lumber.
If you was having a house built and putting insulation in and sheet rock, than that is different.
A pole barn will let the air in and dry out the lumber.

[thecfarm]

I sawed out some posts for the Women Cave. I forgot 6x6 or 8x8. They did not twist at all. The red pine I had did. I sawed out 2 and they started to twist. I went back to hemlock, no twist.  ;D
Not trying to down play the pole barn, but it is a barn. Not like it we affect a wall all that much.

[Jeff]

Topics merged. No reason to start a new topic about the same situation.