Beams & Posts
Structural beams, posts, and trusses for residential and light commercial framing. Includes steel W-shapes, timber posts, and open-web floor trusses, plus selection guides and load tables.
The Beams & Posts category covers the primary load-carrying members in residential construction — from engineered wood beams (LVL, glulam) to structural steel and traditional timber posts. Whether you're removing a bearing wall, framing a new floor, or building a deck, choosing the right beam type for the load, span, and available depth is critical.
📦 Materials
Steel Beams (Flitch Plates & W-Shapes)
beams-postsStructural steel beams — including W-shapes (wide-flange), S-shapes, and flitch plates — carry heavy point loads and long spans in residential and commercial construction. Often specified where wood alone cannot meet load or deflection requirements.
Timber Posts (6×6 & 8×8)
beams-postsSolid-sawn timber posts in 6×6 (5.5" × 5.5") and 8×8 (7.5" × 7.5") sizes serve as vertical structural columns for decks, porches, timber frames, and post-and-beam construction. Available in pressure-treated, Douglas Fir, and cedar.
Open-Web Floor Trusses
beams-postsOpen-web floor trusses use a triangulated web of wood or steel between parallel lumber chords to span long distances with minimal depth. The open web design allows ductwork, plumbing, and electrical to pass through without drilling or notching.
LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber)
engineered-lumberLaminated veneer lumber (LVL) is a high-strength engineered wood product made from thin wood veneers bonded with structural adhesive under heat and pressure. It is the most commonly specified engineered beam and header material in residential and light commercial construction.
Glulam (Glued Laminated Timber)
engineered-lumberGlulam (glued laminated timber) is a structural engineered wood product made by bonding multiple layers of dimensional lumber with waterproof adhesive. Available in architectural and industrial grades, glulam is used for beams, columns, arches, and exposed structural applications where both strength and appearance matter.
PSL (Parallel Strand Lumber)
engineered-lumberParallel strand lumber (PSL) is a high-strength engineered wood product made from long, thin strands of wood veneer bonded with waterproof adhesive under high pressure. Known commercially as Parallam PSL (Weyerhaeuser), it is used for beams, columns, and posts where maximum load-carrying capacity is required.