Jim wrote:
I would personally use aluminum posts. If you do put up anything
hollow, make sure you get good screening over any openings. I've had
to replace old posts & some had huge bees nests in them. I wouldn't
use a solid post because most of them split at some point & they're
heavy & hard to install.

Jim


I suppose I'd do that if my hobby were extruding aluminum, but I feel
pretty strongly about having a few things about the house indicate that
a woodworker lives here. Although it's a new house our goal is to have
peole look at it and think it was the old farmhouse left in the middle
of the McMansions. (Helps that is was the smallest house in the development)

We have wasps something awful behing all the shutters, so the sdvice on
screening is well taken!

Thanks,
Roger