If you’re an active follower of the FBi Learning Center, then you know that we heavily stress the importance of pole barn structural integrity. We’ve discussed multiple wooden building components and their role in the load path:
We’ve also covered the different lumber treatments that prevent rot, specifically Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) versus Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ).
However, we haven’t gone into great detail regarding the six specific types of wood used in post-frame construction…until now.
Furthermore, this article explains the difference between lumber species and grade, which plays a factor in the wood application.
As you’re well aware, lumber is a byproduct of harvested trees. But, did you know that lumber is classified into two groups: softwood and hardwood?
Editor’s Note: The terms “softwood” and “hardwood” refer to the tree distinction, not lumber performance.
Softwood trees grow faster than hardwood trees, making their supply relatively abundant. Moreover, they’re lightweight and have a straighter grain. These characteristics are perfect for use as building materials in post-frame construction.
The most common types of softwood lumber include:
Hardwood trees have large vessels for water intake and giant surface pores that create interesting wood grains. In addition, their density is much higher than softwood trees, increasing durability and strength. These attributes are ideal for cabinetry, flooring, furniture making, and other woodworking projects.
As mentioned above, hardwood trees grow slower than softwood trees. Consequently, their supply is limited, thus, increasing costs.
The most common types of hardwood lumber include:
Since we’re a post-frame builder, this blog focuses on softwood lumber grades:
Appearance lumber grades are based on the visual quality of the wooden member, whereas non-stress and stress lumber grades are concerned with structural integrity.
Stress lumber grades are critical to load-bearing building components. Examples include beams, joists, posts, rafters, and studs. These ratings show how the wood fibers can handle bending, compressive, tensile, and shear stresses. Again, they may be determined visually or mechanically according to ASTM standards.
While there are multiple lumber species, we focus on the most common types of wood used in post-frame construction. Most pole barn builders implement the following lumber species into the building design (but are certainly not limited to):
This pine species is durable and dense – an excellent choice for agricultural, commercial, and residential construction. Nails and screws fasten and hold very well.
Additionally, SYP has a unique cellular structure ideal for pressure treatment. It makes up 85% of all pressure-treated wood in the United States. Plus, its grain pattern and golden hue are a natural beauty.
Many construction companies, including FBi Buildings, use Southern Yellow Pine lumber for truss manufacturing and framing purposes.
Southern Yellow Pine is available in several grades and board sizes. Common grades for SYP include #1, #2, #3, #4, decking, dense structural, machine stress-rated (MSR), prime, and timber. Generally, we use SYP #1 for truss webs and SYP MSR2400 for headers and truss chords.
SPF is well-known for being lightweight and versatile. In addition, the wooden surface is smooth, perfect for interior finishing (e.g., drywall).
Unlike Southern Yellow Pine, Spruce-Pine-Fir isn’t pressure-treated. Instead, the boards are kiln-dried, providing extra strength and resistance to warping.
The following SPF lumber grades are used in post-frame construction: #2, #3, economy, machine stress-rated, and stud. At FBi Buildings, we specifically use SPF #2 (roof purlins) and SPF MSR1650 (sidewall girts).
They look and act like lumber but are designed to be more durable than standard softwoods. Often, engineered wood products are used as interior finishes.
For an in-depth look at the pros and cons of each type, we recommend reading “6 Ways to Finish the Interior of Your Pole Barn.”
Plywood contains thin layers, also known as plies, glued together in a cross-grain pattern. This design increases strength, resisting shrinkage and expansion caused by moisture. The engineered wood product is popular in post-frame construction because of its robustness and relatively low cost.
Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) is a widely used engineered wood product in post-frame construction. It’s manufactured from multiple thin layers of veneer that fit the length of the finished board.
At FBi Buildings, we use LVLs for headers and rafters (specifically lean-tos). Other applications include beams, joists, and trusses.
Cedar is a popular type of softwood used in post-frame construction. Because of its natural beauty, this lumber species is meant to improve aesthetics (not intended for structural use). Cedar doesn’t decay, shrink, swell, or warp. It even absorbs noise!
Furthermore, Douglas Fir is well-known for its structural properties. In fact, “DF-L has the highest ratings of any Western softwood for fiber stress in bending, tension parallel to the grain, horizontal shear, compression perpendicular, and compression parallel to the grain.”
Douglas Fir also grades well in appearance with its light rosy hue and grain pattern.
Unlike Douglas Fir, Hem-Fir is susceptible to moisture and insect infestation when left untreated. Therefore, we highly recommend purchasing pressure-treated boards.
It’s still a strong building material (ranked slightly below DF-L) and can be used in multiple framing applications.
Hem-Fir products range from white to a light straw color. This softwood is fine-grained and even-textured with a refined appearance.
As one of the top post-frame builders in the Midwest, we hope you better understand lumber species, their grades, and their applications. Each type plays a significant role in carrying structural loads from the roof to the foundation.
For more information about load-bearing building components, you can download our FREE “Structural Integrity in Post-Frame Construction” e-book.
Do you want to request a quote? Then, submit your building design to our sales team to begin the estimating process.
Do you have more questions that aren’t covered in this article? If you need help designing and planning, please contact FBi Buildings at 800.552.2981 or click here to email us. If you’re ready to get a price, click here to request a quote, and a member of our Customer Engagement Team will help you determine the next steps.