Hello all!
I am about to raise a little timber framed porch for my cabin and have a question regarding water proofing the butt-ends of my posts.
The porch will be roofed, but won't have walls. I am not using water-resistant species for the frame (am using pine hemlock and oak for the posts). The posts just have butt-cuts and will sit directly on the porch decking (with proper blocking and supports beneath). I am worried that during heavy rain and snow storms, water will get on the deck, and could pool around and possibly under the post bottoms.
What can I use/do to separate the post bottoms from this water? I do not want to put a block of PT or water resistant wood under them, as that won't work aesthetically. I was thinking of stapling 2 or 3 layers of 30# tar paper to the bottoms and using them as a mini-gasket.
Any better ideas? I want to do something that is, ideally, hidden from sight.
Thanks!
Dan
