Shop Post Bases & Caps

Your next home improvement project starts with the reliable connections found at Arlington Coal and Lumber Company, your trusted local lumber store. We specialize in providing the essential quality post bases and caps needed for decks, pergolas, and structural additions throughout the Greater Boston, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and surrounding New England region. Our inventory is a comprehensive resource for high-quality wood connectors, ensuring you have everything required to secure your project. Browse our selection, which features not only post bases and caps but also must-haves like joist hangers, fasteners, brackets and braces, corners and angles, mending and nail plates, and straps and ties, plus many more specialized connections.

We are your best partner in bringing your dream project to life by providing the best material estimates with our friendly locations close to you from Burlington Lumber Company, Wilmington Builders Supply, Sudbury Lumber Company, Chelmsford Lumber Company, and Hudson Lumber Company. For assistance with material estimates or product availability, please contact us.

What are Post Bases and Caps? Post bases and caps are integral parts of structural systems designed to secure and support vertical members in construction, such as posts and columns. Post and column bases secure the bottom of wood posts or columns to a concrete foundation. Bases are often elevated, or have a 1-in standoff above the concrete, to help prevent moisture-related rot in the wood. Post and column caps support beams and transfer the loads from the structure above into the post or column.

For any outdoor wood project-like decks or pergolas-the use of quality post bases is non-negotiable for structural integrity and long-term durability:

• The primary function of a post base is to provide a moisture barrier. Wood posts in direct contact with concrete or soil can wick up moisture, leading to rot in as little as six months. Standoff bases, which elevate the post by at least 1-in, comply with building codes and dramatically extend the life of your wood.
  
  
• Post bases securely anchor the post to the foundation, providing essential resistance against uplift, which is critical in high-wind or seismic areas. They also resist lateral (side-to-side) forces, ensuring your structure remains sturdy for years.
  
  
• Bases and caps offer a clean, polished finish by concealing the necessary hardware and trimming the bottom and top of the post for a professional look.
  
  

What is the Difference Between a Post Base and a Column Base? While the terms post and column are often used interchangeably for vertical supports, the distinction between a post base and a column base usually comes down to the size and load capacity of the structural element they support.

• Post bases are generally designed for lighter, smaller posts (e.g., 4-in by 4-in or 6-in by 6-in) and are commonly used in residential and outdoor structures like decks, pergolas, and fences.
  
  
• Column bases are typically designed to be a beefier version of a post base, suited for larger, heavier columns that support more significant structural loads, such as in multi-family or commercial construction. In engineering terms, both posts and columns act as compression members, transmitting the weight of the structure above to the foundation below.
  
  

For your next build, whether it's a small deck or a large structural addition, you can count on Arlington Coal and Lumber Company, your one-stop shop for high-quality local building supplies.