FrameFirst™ Elevated Post Base Models FF44 · FF66
Frame the house now. Pour the flatwork later.
A hot-dip galvanized steel post base that sets on its own footing, so you can frame the whole structure, porch posts included, before the finished flatwork is poured.
Frame first
Set the post on its footing, anchor it and keep framing. No waiting on flatwork to set porch posts.
Wood off the slab
The formed seat holds the timber 4"–6" above finish concrete, up off the slab and out of standing water.
Galvanized steel
Hot-dip galvanized for corrosion resistance. Sill seal foam at the post isolates it from the slab.
Disappears
Beauty wrap covers the steel and timber for a clean, finished column. Nobody sees the hardware.
Why FrameFirst
Stop letting the slab set the schedule
Porch and patio posts normally sit on the flatwork, so the posts wait on the concrete. FrameFirst puts the post on its own footing from day one.
The usual way
Posts wait on concrete
- Porch posts can't go in until the finished flatwork is poured.
- Porch roofs and beams get temporary shoring, or wait.
- Framers come back for a return trip once the concrete cures.
- Flatwork gets rushed to keep the framing moving.
The FrameFirst way
Frame it all, pour when ready
- The base sets on a small footing, level with the stem wall footing.
- Seat the timber and frame the whole structure, porch included.
- Gravel and finish concrete go in around the post whenever the schedule allows.
- The timber stays up off the slab, and beauty wrap hides the steel.
Frame now · Pour later · Wrap it clean
How it works
Set on footing
Set the base on a small concrete footing, top level with the stem wall footing. Anchor it with (4) 1/2" Titen HD anchors, seat the timber and frame.
Add gravel
Gravel goes in around the post. Wrap the post in 1/4" sill seal foam where it passes through the gravel and slab as an expansion/contraction barrier.
Pour + beauty wrap
Pour the finish concrete when the schedule allows. The seat stays 4"–6" above the slab, and beauty wrap hides the steel.
Same base, post and plate · Seat sized to the timber
Models & specs
| FF44 | FF66 | |
|---|---|---|
| Timber | 4x4 | 6x6 |
| Formed seat | 3/16" A36 plate U-saddle, sized for 4x4 | 3/16" A36 plate U-saddle, sized for 6x6 |
| Base plate | 1/2" A36 steel, 8" × 8" (same plate on both models) | |
| Post | 2-1/2" Schedule 40 steel pipe (2.875" OD) | |
| Seat height | Seat sits about 4"–6" above the finished slab | |
| Finish | Hot-dip galvanized steel | |
| Anchorage | (4) 1/2" Titen HD screw anchors through the base plate into the footing | |
| Timber fastening | (10) 1/4" × 1-1/2" SDS screws through the formed seat into the timber | |
| At the slab | 1/4" sill seal foam wrap through gravel and slab (expansion/contraction barrier) | |
Engineering documentation available on request. Contact us for project details. Illustrations not to scale. Consult your engineer of record for project-specific design.
Drawings & downloads
See it on paper
Tap a sheet to zoom in, or download the full drawing set and brochure.
Look for the orange on the jobsite
Hats and tees for the crews who frame with FrameFirst. See the orange on a jobsite? Ask how the porch posts went in before the concrete did.
Where to buy
Get FrameFirst on your next job
Pick them up at Pacific Lumber, or reach out with questions, orders or project details.
Available through
Pacific Lumber
21270 Butteville Road NEDonald, OR Get directions (opens Google Maps)
Questions & orders
Chris “Rudy” Rudolph
360-609-1305rudy@sturgeon-mining.com
Made by Sturgeon Mining LLC · Camas, WA
31606 NE George Road, Camas, WA 98607
Locally made in the Pacific Northwest.