American Pole & Timber

06/10/2026

2026 building codes just made your foundation more expensive. Or did they?

Florida's 9th Edition Building Code raised wind speed thresholds and tightened foundation engineering requirements in coastal V-zones. In Texas, updated ASCE 7-22 wind maps are increasing design wind speeds for Gulf Coast locations. Several municipalities have already revised floodplain ordinances.

The bottom line: pilings need to go deeper, structures need to go higher, and every foundation component must meet a more demanding standard than previous code cycles.

But here's what most people miss. The right piling choice can actually offset the cost of tighter codes. Uniform-diameter pilings simplify load calculations and reduce installation labor. Composite pilings eliminate the replacement cycle entirely.

We broke down 5 proven piling solutions that meet 2026 code requirements without blowing the budget.

Read the full guide:
https://www.americanpoleandtimber.com/coastal-building-codes-are-changing-5-proven-piling-solutions-for-2026/

Our Foundation Package bundles pilings, stringers, and hardware with a 25-year warranty. Get a quote before prices move again.

(800) 716-0636
https://americanpoleandtimber.com/contact/

06/08/2026

Timber trusses and rafters both hold up a roof. But one of them transforms the room underneath it.

If you're building a home, church, restaurant, or commercial space with an open ceiling or vaulted great room, the choice between trusses and rafters isn't just structural. It's the difference between a ceiling people ignore and one they photograph.

The real question most builders don't ask early enough: can your walls handle the lateral load a large timber truss produces?

We break down the structural, aesthetic, and cost differences, plus the one engineering question that changes everything, in our latest guide.

Read it here:
https://www.americanpoleandtimber.com/timber-trusses-vs-rafters/

Here's what most people don't know: we handle the entire timber truss process in-house. Concept support, engineered drawings, fabrication, and delivery. One call, one team. We've shipped trusses up to 100 feet and as far as Palau.

Ready to start a conversation about your project?
Call (800) 716-0636 or request a quote at americanpoleandtimber.com/contact

06/06/2026

Not every dock needs the same piling. But every dock needs the right one.

We supply four distinct piling types, and each one exists because a different project demands it. Here's the quick breakdown:

CCA-Treated Wood Pilings - The proven standard. UC5C rated for Gulf Coast saltwater. 15-25 year service life. Most competitive upfront cost. Available in custom lengths, delivered ready to drive.

Gun Barrel Pilings® - Our proprietary uniform-diameter pilings. No taper, dead straight, up to 52 feet. Structurally stronger than square pilings. When the pilings are visible, these ARE the design. Only made by us.

EcoPile® Composite Pilings - Zero maintenance. No marine borers, no rot, no checking. 25-year warranty. Survived Hurricane Sally. Internal hexagram truss system. Build it once and never think about it again.

XPile™ FRP Pilings - 50-year design life. One-quarter the weight of steel or concrete. No rust, no electrolysis, no corrosion. Performs in all soil types including acid sulfates. The longest-lived piling we carry.

The right answer depends on your budget, your site conditions, and how long you want the structure to last. We help you figure that out before you order.

Read our full dock building guide for Gulf Coast projects:
https://www.americanpoleandtimber.com/building-a-dock-gulf-coast/

Compare all marine piling options here:
https://www.americanpoleandtimber.com/wood-timber-products/poles-pilings/

Call for a project quote: (800) 716-0636

05/29/2026

Most pilings hide behind the finished project. Gun Barrel Pilings® are the finished project.

Uniform diameter. No taper. Dead straight. Available up to 52 feet long and 20 inches in diameter. Structurally stronger than square pilings of comparable size, with no exposed heartwood. Which means better resistance to marine borers and termites.

We're the only producer in the nation. The equipment and supply chain required to manufacture them don't exist anywhere else.

We wrote about 7 practical reasons the structure IS the design. From load calculation simplicity to installation speed to the finished look that architects and property owners keep coming back for.

Read it here:
https://www.americanpoleandtimber.com/gun-barrel-pilings-aesthetics-structure-is-the-design/

If we don't have it, we'll make it.
(800) 716-0636

05/28/2026

Your marine piling spec is probably costing your client an extra 15%.

UC5A, UC5B, or UC5C. The zone determines everything. And the Gulf Coast falls under UC5C, the highest marine hazard category in the continental US.

Specifying UC5B retention in UC5C water builds in a replacement cycle nobody budgeted for.

We broke down 5 cost-saving methods for marine contractors who want to tighten the piling spec without over-specifying or under-protecting.

Read it here:
https://www.americanpoleandtimber.com/pressure-treated-pilings-marine-construction/

If we don't have it, we'll make it.
(800) 716-0636

05/27/2026

Hurricane season starts June 1.

If you have a dock, pier, marina, or waterfront project still on the to-do list, this is the week to make the call.

The projects that hold up through storm season are the ones where somebody took the time to pick the right pilings, plan the framing, and build to code. Not the ones that got rushed in July.

We put together a pre-construction checklist covering flood zones, permits, piling materials, storm-ready design, framing, decking, and budget — everything you need to discuss before construction starts.

Read it here:
https://www.americanpoleandtimber.com/building-a-dock-gulf-coast/

If we don't have it, we'll make it.
(800) 716-0636

04/20/2026

We build structural timber trusses as long as 100 feet.

From scratch or to your architect's specifications. Scissor trusses, king posts, arch trusses, and everything in between.

Our timber trusses are used in homes, lodges, zoos, parks, restaurants, retail stores, churches, banks, libraries, and countless other projects. Connection options include exposed plates and hardware, hidden fasteners, and coping.

Common species: Southern Yellow Pine and Douglas Fir. We also work with cedar, reclaimed timbers, and other species on request.

We ship timber trusses worldwide and offer design, production, and logistics solutions for your most challenging projects. Engineer-stamped drawings available.

Our materials are backed by some of the strongest warranties in the industry.

Get a quote for your timber truss project:
https://www.americanpoleandtimber.com/wood-timber-products/timber-trusses-and-corbels/structural-timber-trusses

If we don't have it, we'll make it!
(866) 397-3038

04/15/2026

What is marine treated wood?

Marine treated wood is wood that has been pressure treated to the level required for use in salt water. The chemicals are forced deeper into the wood at higher concentrations to protect against the harsher conditions that saltwater environments present.

Common marine treated wood products include pilings, timbers, and lumber components used in marine and shoreline structures like docks, piers, bulkheads, and boathouses.

Not all treated wood is the same. If your project involves saltwater, you need marine-grade treatment. Using the wrong treatment level is one of the most common and costly mistakes in coastal construction.

Watch the full explanation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGL4ojl7DUw

Need marine treated materials? Start here:
https://www.americanpoleandtimber.com/wood-timber-products/large-and-oversize-treated-timbers

If we don't have it, we'll make it!
(866) 397-3038

Marine treated wood is simply wood that has been pressure treated to the level required for use in salt water. Common marine treated wood products are pilin...

04/13/2026

From residential boat docks to major commercial fishing piers, we supply all the materials you need to build a long-lasting pier or dock.

Pilings. Pile caps. Stringers. Dock floats. Treated lumber. Decking. Treated timbers. Piling protection and repair products. All the hardware to hold it together.

Your wooden pier and dock components are treated to your specifications. Freshwater or saltwater, we match the treatment level to your environment.

We are also happy to connect you with trusted dock and pier builders if you need a contractor recommendation.

Start planning your dock or pier project:
https://www.americanpoleandtimber.com/wood-timber-products/dock-pier-materials

If we don't have it, we'll make it!
(866) 397-3038

Buy smart. Build to last. Our Foundation Package (pilings + stringers + hardware) comes with a 25-year warranty that protects your investment from day one.