Product Application
Porch Post
BELCO XT® POST
Glulam Posts and Columns
FORM MEETS FUNCTION
Beautiful Load Bearing
INSTALLATION BEST PRACTICES
Application & Installation Information
Installing Belco XT Porch Posts is straightforward, efficient, and adaptable to various structural requirements. Whether the project requires an uplift application or is designed to handle vertical loads only, Belco XT Posts provide the flexibility and strength to get the job done.
Uplift Application
When Belco XT® Posts are used in an uplift application, post bases and caps are required to ensure proper performance. We recommend Simpson Strong Tie products, but other connectors with equal properties are also acceptable. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for both the post base and cap to ensure accurate load capacities and secure attachment. This setup guarantees stability, especially in conditions where uplift forces, such as wind, need to be countered.
Vertical Load Only Application
For projects where Belco XT® Posts are used in a vertical load-only application, a simple nailed connection can be implemented. This offers a quick, effective installation method when uplift is not a concern, allowing builders to easily secure the post while still benefiting from its excellent structural integrity.
Finally, for posts requiring electrical routing, we offer models with a built-in conduit chase, simplifying the process of integrating lighting or other electrical elements. With Belco XT Posts, you get a versatile, reliable product that makes installation easy while providing long-lasting stability and performance.
COMMON SIZES
Typical Porch Post Sizes
Belco XT® Porch Posts are available in a range of sizes to fit a variety of architectural designs and project needs. This ensures our customers’ versatility across several ideal applications from porches, decks, balusters, newels, gazebos, knee braces, corbels and more.
View our standard porch post sizes below.
- 4x4
- 6x6
- 8x8
COMMON MATERIALS
Porch Post Material Options
While the market offers many porch post options, each comes with its own set of pros and cons. Solid wood exudes timeless charm but can fall prey to nature’s whims, warping and cracking under pressure. Cedar, with its natural resistance to decay, puts up a valiant fight against the elements but may surrender to insect invasions. Fiber cement boasts durability but lacks the warm, organic feel of wood. Brick or stone-wrapped columns are often sturdy sentinels but add to labor and material expense on the job site.
Enter Belco XT Posts. Imagine the strength of multiple wood layers, fused together with innovative adhesives, then fortified with preservative treatments that will make a termite weep. The result? A glue-laminated anti-rot solution that shrugs off moisture, and sends insects packing. Belco XT Posts offer a rare blend of longevity, beauty, and fiscal sensibility.
DESIGN INSPIRATION
Porch Post Design Styles
Latest Blog Posts
Porch Post Materials
Which Porch Post Material Is Right For You? Porch posts (also called “pillars” or “columns”) serve as necessary structural support for the porch roof. In
Built-up or Solid Posts – Which Is Better?
When comparing built-up or solid posts, there are quite a few things to consider. We decided to compare the labor, material and maintenance costs for
Understanding Glulam Columns, Posts, and Beams
All about glulam columns/glulam columns FAQ (see common search queries, including: what are glulam columns? What are glulam beams used for? What’s the difference between glulam posts, columns, and beams? How thick should glulam columns be? Can a glulam be used as a post? Is a glulam stronger than a solid beam? Stronger than steel?
THE BELCO DIFFERENCE
Built to Last.
Belco XT® Post offers long-lasting performance thanks to our proprietary 2-step treatment process. First, Belco’s non-metallic, EPA-approved wood preservative treatment (Wolman® AG) penetrates the wood fibers and is then properly dried before priming. This key distinction is what sets us apart, ensuring our wood is fortified from within. Our proprietary, industry-leading water-based primer protects the surface and resists water penetration. The end result? Post and columns with unmatched durability that exceed the highest industry standards for coating consistency and wood substrate quality.
