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Best Wood for Fence Posts Softwoods such as pressure-treated pine are solid options for fence posts. Pine is comparatively cheap and is resistant to termites and other pests. Additionally, the third of the post buried below the ground doesn’t rot as quickly as other woods.
Can I use pressure treated wood for fence posts?
Pressure-treated wood is more affordable, but it’s less durable and more maintenance-heavy. Still, due to its superior soil-resisting ability, it’s a better choice for fence posts.
What wood are fence posts made from?
Option One: Pressure-Treated Pine This is the most popular type of wood for residential fences. Pressure treated pine is affordable, reliable and common, so it’s not surprising that it’s so widespread.
Is 2 feet deep enough for fence posts?
2 feet is the minimum depth that you should dig your fence post holes for. To dig the holes one-third to one-half of the post’s aboveground height, is a general formula. The deeper you dig the holes, the more stability your fence has.
Is cedar or pine better for a fence?
Cedar is generally regarded as the stronger and more durable of these two woods. It does not need any special treatment and stands up well to the elements, with a low risk of warping and shrinking. Pine, on the other hand, is more at risk of buckling, warping, and shrinking.
Do wooden fence posts need cement?
Do Fence Posts Need To Be Set in Concrete? No, fence posts don’t need to be set in concrete, and there are plenty of other ways to fix your posts if this feels a bit too permanent. If you are using wooden posts, concrete may actually be the worst option.
What type of wood are 4×4?
4x4s are typically made from “peeler cores,” which are the byproduct of plywood production. When a log is turned on a lathe to produce plywood veneer, the center that remains, called the peeler core, is used as a 4×4 post.
Will wooden posts rot in concrete?
Simply setting the posts in concrete does create a condition that will accelerate rot in the bottom of the posts. With pressure-treated posts, the rot will be slow. This allows any moisture that gets between the concrete and the bottom of the post to percolate through the gravel and away from the bottom of the post.
Can you put dry concrete in a post hole?
Fast-setting concrete is ideal for setting posts because there’s no mixing—you simply pour the dry concrete from the bag right into the hole, then add water.
How far apart should fence post be?
Most fence posts can be spaced 8 to 12 feet apart. While this is a general criteria, it doesn’t cover all scenarios. For instance, high tensile fence can have larger spacing, requiring line posts every 15 to 20 feet for field fence styles, and as much as 20-30 feet for high tensile barbed and smooth wire.
How tall should a fence be for a 6 foot fence?
As a general rule of thumb, you’ll need to place at least 1/3 the height of the post in the ground. For example, a 6-foot tall fence will need at least 2 feet of post in the ground.
What’s cheaper pine or cedar?
Cedar is rarer, which is why it’s more expensive than pine- however, because it is low maintenance and aesthetically pleasing it’s more of an investment.
What type of wood fence lasts the longest?
Redwood, cedar or pressure-treated pine last the longest. A fence can last about 20 years, if made of a turnout resistant wood. Then posts are usually the first to go; panels survive longer because they typically don’t touch the ground. Fences must withstand year-round exposure to the element.
Do cedar posts need to be sealed?
Simply sprinkle water on the surface of the wood. If it soaks in, the post should be sealed. If the water beads up or stands on the surface, the posts do not need to be sealed. Applying protectant too early leads to inadequate absorption, while applying too late leads to premature degradation of the cedar.
How long will a treated 4×4 post last in the ground?
A treated 4×4 will last 20 to 25 years in the ground if the conditions in the soil and climate are favorable. That number could increase to 40 to 75 years if you install the treated 4×4 in a cement ring rather than the soil. There are a few factors that influence how long the 4×4 can last in the ground.
How big of a hole do you need for a 4×4 post?
The diameter of your post hole should be three times the diameter of your post. So, if you’re planning on using a four-inch round or 4×4-inch square post, your post hole will need to be 12 inches in diameter. For a six-foot-high fence post, we would need a hole that’s 36 inches deep and 12 inches in diameter.
Can you put fence posts in without concrete?
Backfilling the fence post hole with gravel is another common alternative to using cement. Start with a hole about the size of the one you’d dig if you were using cement, insert a third of the post’s length into the hole, and then fill with crushed gravel, tamping every five inches until flush.
