Key Features

Built for Uplift The CB44 is made for post-to-concrete connections where wind or seismic forces matter. Its design increases uplift resistance so the post base does more than just hold the column in place. 7-Gauge Steel Body Heavy 7-gauge steel gives this column base the rigidity needed for structural work. That matters when you need a connector that can handle real load instead of acting like light hardware. Code-Spaced Bolt Holes Bolt hole locations are laid out to meet code-required spacing for capacity. That saves guesswork during layout and helps you build the connection the way it was engineered to perform.

Overview

The Simpson Strong-Tie CB44 Column Base is a cast-in-place column base designed to connect a nominal 4 inch x 4 inch wood post to a concrete footing or foundation. This is a column base designed for post-to-concrete structural connections in decks and similar framing work. Model Number: CB44. If you are setting a 4×4 post where you need solid bearing, code-friendly bolt spacing, and better resistance to uplift, this is the hardware doing that job.

What makes the CB44 different from lighter post bases is that it is built for structural value, not just basic positioning. Simpson Strong-Tie calls out increased uplift resistance for wind or seismic loading, and the connector uses bolt hole locations that meet code-required spacing for optimal capacity. In practical terms, that means this base is meant for real structural work where the connection has to help resist movement, not just keep the post off the concrete.

The body is made from 7-gauge steel and finished in G90 galvanized coating on the CB44. That combination gives you a connector with the thickness expected for load-bearing post work plus corrosion resistance that makes sense for typical exterior deck and footing applications. It is designed to be cast in place or wet set into concrete, with the bottom of the base plate installed flush with the concrete so the post gets full bearing where it needs it.

Installation details matter with this kind of connector, and Simpson Strong-Tie is pretty clear about them. Use all specified fasteners, install the bottom of the base plate flush with the concrete, and maintain the required concrete cover for full loads. The published installation notes also point out that post bases like this are not intended to resist rotation by themselves, so they are not recommended for non-top-supported installations such as fences or unbraced carports. That is an important distinction if you are choosing hardware for a free-standing post.

The Simpson Strong-Tie CB44 Column Base is intended for wood-to-concrete cast-in-place connections and installs with (2) 5/8 inch diameter machine bolts. It is sized for a nominal 4×4 column and gives you a straightforward way to connect sawn lumber, glulam, or engineered wood posts to a concrete foundation when the design calls for this style of embedded base.

This connector makes the most sense for deck builders, general contractors, remodelers, and serious DIY users working on code-driven exterior framing. If you need a structural 4×4 post base for a footing and you want a known Simpson Strong-Tie solution instead of piecing together a field-made connection, the CB44 is the right kind of hardware to look at.

Designed for Cast-In-Place Post Support

This connection is built around full post bearing and embedment into the footing. That gives the post a direct, structural path into the concrete instead of relying on light-duty hardware at the surface.

• Designed to be cast in place or wet set into concrete
• Installation notes call for the bottom of the base plate to sit flush with the concrete
• For full loads, minimum side cover required is 3 inches for CB models

Hole Layout That Matches the Job

With structural connectors, hole placement is not a small detail. The CB series uses code-required bolt spacing so you are working from an engineered layout instead of trying to make a generic bracket do a structural connector’s job.

• CB44 installs with two 5/8 inch diameter machine bolts
• Bolt hole locations are designed for optimal capacity
• Made for nominal 4×4 posts in wood-to-concrete connections

What’s in the Box

• (1) Simpson Strong-Tie CB44 Column Base

Fasteners are not included. This base is installed with specified machine bolts.

Key Specifications

Built For

Deck Building Post-to-Footing Connections Carpentry Construction General Contracting Remodeling Exterior Framing DIY / Hobbyist

Pro Tip

Set the CB44 so the base plate finishes flush with the concrete, not proud of it. That is how you get full post bearing, and if you are pouring footings, keep the required 3 inch minimum side cover in mind before you place the base.

Tool Nut’s Take

Tool Nut’s Take

Simpson Strong-Tie CB44 Column Base Is the Right Fix for a Real 4×4 Footing Connection

If you are tying a 4×4 post into concrete and want an engineered connector instead of a guess, this is the kind of part you buy once and do right.

• Who it’s for: Deck builders, framers, contractors, and homeowners building structural post-to-footing connections with nominal 4×4 posts.
• Why it stands out: It combines 7-gauge steel, G90 galvanizing, cast-in-place installation, and bolt spacing laid out for structural capacity.
• Worth knowing: This is not a catch-all post support for every free-standing project. Simpson specifically says these bases are not recommended where the member is not top supported, like fences or unbraced carports.

Common Questions

• What size post does the CB44 fit? It is designed for a nominal 4 inch x 4 inch post or column.
• Is this a surface-mount post base? No. The CB44 is a cast-in-place or wet-set column base for concrete foundations.
• What fasteners does it use? The CB44 installs with (2) 5/8 inch diameter machine bolts.
• Can it be used where the post stands alone without top support? Simpson Strong-Tie says post bases do not provide adequate resistance to prevent rotation about the base and are not recommended for non-top-supported installations such as fences or unbraced carports.