Simpson Strong-Tie CPT44Z CPTZ ZMAX Galvanized Concealed Post Base for 4x4

This product is wonderful, surprisingly easy to install (make sure you make yourself a template) and SO much better looking than the other options out there. I'm SO glad I spent the extra $ on these compared to the other options.

Utilized for custom loft post and rail design. Structurally overkilled for application but worked well. Biggest trick is accurately cutting the deep receiver slot in the post base. Table saw with dado and jig might be best approach.

These look fantastic installed and are as strong as any other post holders I have installed. So, why 4 stars, and not 5? Honestly, they are a pain in the butt to install. I created templates, used a quick 90 degree blocking jig, but still it took several attempts to drill the holes properly. The issue is that all 3 holes have to be more or less parallel to work. This is far more difficult if you are drilling by hand than you might think. If you have a press or a manufactured jig, it shouldn't be a problem. If you are doing this by hand, be warned, it is difficult and frustrating. My recommendation is to buy a jig. If you don't want to do that, then don't cut the post to length until you have your holes drilled and the pegs fit in place. Otherwise, you will, like me, end up with 2 or 3 wasted posts that have 3 non-parallel holes that are more or less useless.

Bought some of these for a patio cover project. I’m not using them as they are intended to be used but they work perfectly for my project.

Plan to use this plate on existing concrete patio to secure post for makeshift gate. The installation went well and according to instructions yet doesn’t offer the stability needed on this application, we decided to modify out approach and did something different. Being I used the post plates I could not return them. These plates would be best under load.

For me it worked alright. As others have mention, they are some what a paint to get it about right on installation. Also few pointers from my experience. If you use it with redwood next or on top of stucco, make sure where ever you cut or drill you blow pressure air to clean all sawdust from surface and prime it really good, other wise the taming of red from the dust will leach into the stucco leaving an ugly dark oxidize spot. After i did my install, I came to the conclusion that their should be a better way and realized I can do similar install as the stairs guys do with newel post. I used 5/8 rod with epoxy, prime the bottom about a foot high really good and on install time y use polyurethane caulk to cover the hold bottom surface. As of today not a problem. Other option if you wish to keep your post of the ground would be using a galvanize base or composite material base using with the same method mention before.

very strong and stable Caution! you must be very very accurate with you cuts I was not so accurate with a couple of the brackets and had to place some hardwood shims between the black plate and the bottom of the 4x4 post to firm up the post.. then perfect.

This product is not for a doing yourself type person. To install and properly level it takes knowledge. So for someone that doesn’t have the ability buy a bracket that wraps and screws around all four sides. However this is a good product if you know how to use it.