Installing Wood Fence Posts Without Concrete

The fence post depth increases with the height of the fence.

Installing wood fence posts without concrete.

I installed eight foot high wood privacy fence with 12 foot 4 4 with 2 x 4 cross pieces and 1 x 4 fencing in 1990 all posts cemented in total of 170 feet. Poor drainage low quality wood and poor protection against insect damage. Here s how to install new cedar fence posts and avoid the problems that made your old posts rot. How to set a long lasting fence post without concrete may 8 2015 daniel fence post fence posts 8 comments at 15 and eager to find my first real job i followed up mercilessly on an application i submitted to a farm county park that was an easy bike ride away.

A 24 inch depth works well for a 4 foot tall fence but a fence that is 6 feet high should have posts sunk 3 feet deep or more. Concrete is a no no for fence posts may 12 2012. Dig post hole so diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the post i e the hole for a 4 wood post should be about 12 inches wide. The depth of the hole should be 1 3 1 2 the post height above ground i e a 6 foot tall fence would require a hole depth of at least 2 feet.

Inspect your posts at least once a year ideally in spring or fall and reapply paint or stain as necessary to protect the wood and keep your fence looking its best. Look no matter what preventative steps you take and i ll get to those eventually wooden posts rot. Cedar has a reputation for durability but unless a few guidelines are followed cedar posts can fail in as few as five years. Spend some extra time and money on durable lumber and a well drained installation or that beautiful aesthetic will rot in a few years.

Three factors contribute to this early failure. Tamped soil on a base of gravel is enough to secure most posts but consider concrete for soft soils. Do not set wooden posts in concrete. Wooden fence posts are more vulnerable and fragile than metal.