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 4x4 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 4x4 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 4x4 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.

Simpson Strong-Tie CB44 Column Base Is the Right Fix for a Real 4x4 Footing Connection

If you are tying a 4x4 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 4x4 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.

• 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.