Installing fence posts – as easy as ABC?
If you’ve been visited by Ashley, Bert, Conall or Darragh, or are bracing yourself for the next named storm of the winter, you might be thinking a lot about garden fencing right now.
Lords have a huge range of garden and landscaping products for tradespeople, including all the fencing essentials. But if you’re a decent DIYer and only have a couple of posts to replace in your garden, you might want to give it a go yourself.
After you’ve decided what type of fence posts you want (read on to discover the pros and cons of wood, concrete and steel), here’s our step-by-step guide.
Be prepared to get a sweat on, though. When sinking a fence post, it’s recommended that a third goes underground to keep it secure. That’s a big old hole.
Step 1 - Measure and mark the area
Before you start digging, measure the area where you want to install or repair the fence, and use a string line to mark a straight line for the holes. Measure the fence boards or panels to make sure the holes will be the correct distance apart.
Step 2 – Dig the hole
If you’re installing a 6ft high fence post, 2ft should be buried underground. Also, make sure you allow room for 6 inches of gravel at the bottom of the hole to add support for the post and aid drainage. Hole width? Three times the width of the fence post is ideal. You can use a small spade to dig the hole but a post-hole digger will save you time and effort – it’s designed for the job.
Top tip
If the ground is very hard, part-dig the hole and then add water to soften the soil.
Step 3 – Install the post
Place the post in the hole, and use a spirit level to make sure it’s vertical. Brace with a stake and pour concrete into the hole (to just below the surface). When the concrete has set, top up the hole with soil.
Top tip
Hanson Fast Set Postfix Concrete is simple to use (just add water) and sets in less than three minutes. Suitable for the trade and DIYers. One bag is enough for one post.
Step 4 – Fix the fence
When the concrete has hardened and the post is solid, you can start attaching the boards or panels.
Step 5 – Protect your fence
Although Lords fence posts are pre-treated, they’ll last even longer with wood preservers. Paint your wooden posts, boards and panels to protect against water damage, mould, moss and fungi. Always keep the bottom of your fence clear of leaves, grass and plants as they can cause rot.
What’s best – wood or concrete?
There’s no easy answer, as there’s lots to consider. Durability, short-and long-term costs, ease of installation, sustainability and what looks best. There’s also a third type of fence post to look at – DuraPost®, a newer option made from galvanised steel.
Wooden fence posts
The big advantage of wooden fence posts is that they look more natural than concrete. That’s because they are more natural. While the timber usually comes from sustainable sources, it still involves cutting down trees.
Treated timber posts can last up to 15 years, but the treatment process isn’t great for the environment. On the plus side, they can be easier to handle than concrete and look good when painted or stained. Costs? Swings and roundabouts… cheaper in the short term, but maintenance and repairs will soon add up.
Concrete fence posts
Concrete posts are going to last longer than wood, especially in exposed places, but they’re not completely resistant to wind, rain and frost. They’re also more expensive (to buy, transport and install), not everyone’s cup of tea when it comes to looks, and have the worst environmental impact. If sustainability is important to you, probably best to steer clear.
DuraPost® steel fence posts
DuraPost® steel fence posts are fairly new to Lords but are already proving to combine many of the advantages of wood and timber. They’re lighter than timber and concrete, and easier to install – and guaranteed to last up to 25 years.
DuraPost® comes in many colours but if you don’t fancy any of them, it’s easy to fix wooden boards over the posts. Be prepared to splash out – but they could be more cost-effective in the long term. What’s more, they’re made from 50% recycled steel and are 100% recyclable at end of life.
