Installing a fence is the most popular way to mark the boundary of your home but many people are not sure whether to choose timber fence posts or concrete ones.
Benefits of concrete fence posts
While concrete fence posts are heavy and more cumbersome to install than timber posts, they are robust and strong and have a long lifespan. Once installed, a concrete fence post is maintenance-free and will withstand extreme wind, never succumbing to rot or mould. Unlike timber posts, concrete fence posts do not need to be treated prior to installation and, if using slotted concrete posts, timber fence panels simply slide in and out making maintenance and repairs easy.
At Witham Timber, we supply recessed concrete fence posts and slotted concrete posts.
Recessed concrete fence posts
These feature a number of pre-cast recesses which allow cant rails to fit neatly with the post before being attached to it with metal bolts. Recessed concrete fence posts are used with closeboard, or featheredge, fencing, and are visible on one side of the fence only to give a more streamlined silhouette.
Slotted concrete posts
For use with fence panels, slotted concrete posts have an integral, deep groove which, once secured in place, will allow a fence panel to be slotted in from the top. When using slotted concrete posts, there is no need for any other fixings.
What fence posts will I need?
Calculate the number of fence posts you will need. Our concrete recessed fence posts are available as corner posts which allow two fence panels to sit at a 90° angle to each other at a corner point. Intermediate posts are used along the length of the fence and feature two grooves allowing two panels to be joined together, side by side. End posts feature only one groove and complete the end of a run of fencing.
Concrete gravel boards
Concrete gravel boards sit beneath the fence panels and above the ground and they serve to protect the timber panels from groundwater, adding extra support to the fence. Simple to install, concrete gravel boards slot easily into the posts from the top, before the fence panels.
How to install slotted concrete fence posts and gravel boards
1 Find the correct position for your post holes by measuring between posts with a gravel board.
2 Dig the holes for the fence posts – each hole should be a minimum of 600mm deep (two feet) and three times the width of the post. Add 3-4 inches of gravel to the hole and tamper down.
3 Place the posts in the holes one at a time and position them correctly before backfilling with a concrete mix or Postcrete. This should sit proud of the ground level to prevent rainwater from collecting at the base of the post. Our blog Postcrete Vs concrete explains the difference between the two, to help you make the best decision for your fence.
4 Once the concrete mix has hardened sufficiently and is capable of load bearing, install the concrete gravel boards, before sliding the timber fence panels into position. If you find the gravel boards and timber fence panels are not sliding easily down the grooves of the concrete fence posts, simply rub an old candle down the grooves first.
To view our extensive range of fence panels and posts, please click here.