The strength of the structure starts with its foundation, which in the case of a post-frame building are the laminated columns. The columns carry the weight of the building, providing the “legs” that support and stabilize everything above ground.

Like most building materials, laminated wood columns come in different strengths. It’s important to understand that size alone doesn’t measure the strength of a column; there are several factors involved:

• type of lumber used (visual grades or machine graded)
• method of laminating the column (stitched or glued)
• stitching (and plating) pattern for lamination

Wick uses only machine stress rated (MSR) lumber that meets a minimum strength requirement for all column lumber material, both in-ground treated and above ground untreated. Wick also utilizes an optimal stitching pattern with a 4 foot overlap and plates when splicing long columns. This construction method, when combined with the machine graded lumber, results in columns that are at least 75% stronger than columns utilizing #1 or #2 visually graded lumber.