Gun Barrel Pilings® & Poles

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Gun Barrel Pilings in beach home.

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Gun Barrel Pilings CMEC hardware close up

Photography by Travis Dewitz.

Gun Barrel Pilings Custom Park Project aerial view

Tiger exhibit - Erie Zoo, with Gun Barrel Pilings

Beyond Beauty: Natural Wood Appearance, Yet Refined

When aesthetics are as important as strength, longevity, ease of construction, and the overall economics of the project, Gun Barrel Pilings® are the best option.

From exterior uses such as beach home pilings to solid interior columns, our Gun Barrel Pilings and poles are the most beautiful natural wood option, with uniformity that rivals manufactured products.

Call us at (800) 716-0636 or contact us online for fast quotes and more information.

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Fast Quotes & Info
1 (800) 716-0636

What Are Gun Barrel Pilings®?

Uniform (No Taper), Structural Wood Pilings Up to 52 Feet Long

A Gun Barrel Piling® is a selected log that is machined to a uniform diameter.

They are preferred in applications where strength and aesthetics are important. Gun Barrel Pilings® and poles make impressive columns, are structurally sound, and are available in lengths up to 52 feet and diameters up to 20 inches. Often used as columns, they are much less expensive than traditional architectural columns and are even cheaper than square timbers and pilings in most sizes.

Easier Design & Installation

Design and installation are easier when you use Gun Barrel Pilings® in place of regular tapered poles. While common poles and pilings are also strong and long-lasting, their irregular and varying diameters can make alignment and matching during installation difficult and lengthy.

The uniform dimension of Gun Barrel poles and pilings means your materials will match your design plans — saving you assembly time and frustration.

The uniformity of Gun Barrel Pilings® means you can precut from your parts list instead of fitting and cutting each piling one by one.

Stronger & Easier to Install Than Square Pilings

65 foot Gun Barrel Pilings bolted to steel I beams

65’ Gun Barrel Pilings bolted to steel I-beams.

Gun Barrel Pilings® are stronger than square pilings of comparable sizes.
They are also less expensive in most sizes.

Plus, Gun Barrel Pilings® are easier to install than square timbers, especially in applications where your pilings must be squared to a frame or other structure. Square pilings must be properly turned so that one of their faces is flat against the member to which they will be connected. Being uniformly round, Gun Barrel Pilings® need no squaring.

Consider that the massive weight of most house pilings is between 500 and 1,000 pounds each and you will quickly see why avoiding the issue of squaring can save you a great deal of time and effort.

Gun Barrel Pilings® from American Pole & Timber protect the heartwood and do not need to be "squared" with joists and stringers. They have the uniform look of square pilings, but are easier to install and last longer than comparably-sized square pilings.

Excellent In & Near Water

Gun Barrel Pilings® are excellent choices in or near water. Gun Barrel Pilings® are less susceptible to attack by termites and marine borers because they have no exposed heartwood as many square timbers have.

Additionally, they will handle storm surges better than square timbers because the round shape allows quickly moving water to flow smoothly around the pilings with little impact. Square timbers often develop a low-pressure area on the back-side of the flow which makes them more likely to loosen from the ground thereby weakening the foundation of homes or piers they support — very important in hurricane-prone areas.

Gun Barrel Pilings® deliver all of those benefits — stronger, cheaper, and easier to install – while also giving you the uniformity and refined appearance offered by square timbers.

Interior or Exterior — Any Treatment Level

Just like regular poles and pilings, Gun Barrel poles and pilings can be treated for use in exterior and marine projects or you can use them untreated for interior projects. Upon request, they can also be kiln dried and ready for stain upon arrival to your job site. If your Gun Barrel Pilings® are to be used in water, consider having them coated with our special polymer coating which will double their life.

Additionally, you can cut, drill, paint, carve, or otherwise customize and build onto your solid uniform diameter poles.

Call our knowledgeable project consultants at 1 (800) 716-0636 or contact us online to get a quote for your non-tapered solid poles, pilings, or columns.

Available Up to 52 Feet Long

Available in diameters from 5 inches to 20 inches and lengths up to 52 feet, your Gun Barrel poles, pilings, or columns will be made to your specification. Depending upon the size you need and your location we offer Gun Barrel poles in southern yellow pine, white pine, western red cedar, white cedar, and oak.

Finish Options

If no special finish is specified, your Gun Barrel poles, piles, or columns will be delivered “unfinished”. However, you have additional finishing options, including: