What size fence posts are best?
Quick Column Summary:
- Wood privacy fence cracking and leaning
- Wood fence post orientation
- Set fence posts in crushed stone, not concrete
- Use the right wood and the right size posts
What is the standard depth of a fence post?
of0.120 inches. Fence posts shall consist of one of the following for a fence over 6 1/2 feet to eight feet: four-inch by four-inch or four-inch by six-inch wood post, or 2 3/8-inch diameter steel pipe with a wall thickness of0.130 inches; or 2 3/8-inch square standard gauge steel pipe with a wall thickness of 0.130 inches. 3.
How deep to set fence posts?
To Recap:
- Check Local Zoning For Frost Line
- Plan to Dig 6" Deeper Than Frost Line
- Dig or Drill Hole 3-4 Times the Widest Cross-Section of Post to Be Installed
- Dig Bell Shaped Holes
- Fill Hole Partially With Concrete
- Set Post in Center of Hole and Adjust for Grade
- Fill Around Post With Concrete - Leave Down 3-4 Inches from Grade
- Adjust Post for Plumb
How to determine posts needed to build a fence?
- Fence Posts: Posts are generally set 8 feet apart from each other.
- Number of Posts = Fence Length/8.
- Posts are typically sold in 8-foot or 16-foot sections.
- Sections set longer than 8 feet apart will sag.
- Rails: If the fence has rails, they should be 8 feet long and set between the posts.
How deep should an 8 foot post be in the ground?
about 2 feet deepFor an average fence post, about 6 to 8 feet tall, prepare to dig a post hole about 2 feet deep. To install a fence post, you'll need a shovel or post digger, a 6-foot level, soil, and gravel or crushed stone.
How deep does a fence post need to be set below ground for a 4ft above ground height?
The general rule of thumb when setting a post is that the depth of the post's hole needs to be one-third to one-half of the actual above-ground height of the post. So, a six-foot-high finished post ideally needs to be buried three feet into the ground.
Is 1 foot deep enough for fence post?
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).
Can you put dry concrete in a post hole?
0:131:37How to Set Posts in Concrete (without mixing) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBecause there is no mixing you simply pour it into the hole. Dry. Then add water when digging yourMoreBecause there is no mixing you simply pour it into the hole. Dry. Then add water when digging your post hole it is important that the diameter of the hole be three times the width of the post.
How deep should a 4ft fence post be?
Fence Post Depth ChartPost sizeHeight of post above groundHole size (width x depth)1.2m (4′)23cm (9”) x 40cm (18”)1.8m (6′)23cm (9”) x 60cm (24”)100mm (4”)90cm (3′)30cm (12”) x 30cm (12”)1.2m (4′)30cm (12”) x 45cm (18”)5 more rows
How do you install a 4x4 post in the ground?
1:283:42How to Install Fence Posts Step-by-step - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAttach a length of wood to the post and stakes to form a basic support brace holding the postMoreAttach a length of wood to the post and stakes to form a basic support brace holding the post upright while you position it straight use a level to ensure the fence post is perfectly vertical.
What size fence post do I need for a 5ft fence?
Calculate the post lengths Use 4in x 4in posts for fences of 5ft and over and 3in x 3in posts for anything under 5ft.
How do you set a shallow fence post?
1:583:19How To Set Fence Post In Bedrock When Building Fence ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou just add the water in the cement mix with a shovel. And then just make sure it's nice andMoreYou just add the water in the cement mix with a shovel. And then just make sure it's nice and straight before walking away and letting it. Set.
How high should a fence post be?
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. Consider the frost line in your area. The bottom of the post needs to sit below the frost line (consult local codes for exact requirements).
What to do before digging a fence post?
Before you dig, be sure to call your local utilities company to mark any underground cables. Also, reassess your fence layout and make sure your posts are where you want them. Taking steps to properly plan your fence project before digging your first post hole will save you time (and headaches) in the long run.
Is digging a hole in a fence hard?
Digging post holes is hard work. But it’s work that’s crucial to the long-term performance of your wood fence. Posts form the backbone of your fence, so they need to be set deep enough in the ground to ensure a sturdy foundation.
What does kiln dried wood mean?
Kiln dried means the wood has been dried out in a oven before treatment. It is a quicker process than air dried (to keep up with supply and demand) but still allows the preservatives to go pretty deep in the timber, but the result of the fast drying usually results in brittle timbers.
What is the best mix for cement fence posts?
What Is The Best Concrete Mix For Fence Posts? The best mix for concrete when installing fence posts is a mixture of 1 part cement, 2 parts sand and 3 parts aggregate (stone). Mixing concrete in a cement mixer ensures all the cement,sand and aggregate mix evenly together. But if it’s a small job, hand mixing in a wheel barrow will be more ...
How long do fence posts last?
How Long Will a Fence Post Last In The Ground? Concrete fence posts have a life expectancy of about 25 years with minimal maintenance, but they aren’t immune to wear and tear. Over time rain and wind will eat away at them causing cracks and chips.
How deep should a concrete fence post be?
Concrete fence posts are slightly different, still keep with the hole width of 3 times the width of the post, but the depth needs to be at LEAST 2 foot. In some instances upto 3 foot would be absolutely perfect. The reason the holes have to be deeper for concrete, is because of the sheer weight of the posts.
How long does it take for a wheel barrow to set?
The only problem using a traditional concrete mix is that it can take a good day to to set, sometimes 2 days. This becomes an issue when you need quickness of repair, especially in the winter or doing a fence/post repair for a customer.
Is concrete better than wood?
Concrete fence posts are indeed better than wood for last ability, and they easily pay for themselves over time. They will not rot or decay like wood can but they do have two important negativity’s for alot of people, and that’s price and environmental impact.
Do preservatives go deep into wood?
And should be your choice due to how easy the preservatives seem to penetrate deep into the timber. Also, if you can look for wood labeled air dried (quite rare) then you know that the preservatives they’ve added have gone really deep into the timber. You will see alot in DIY/Hardware stores the label ‘Kiln dried’.
How to install fence posts
The first thing you will want to do is to measure out in your garden the width between your fence posts. This can be done easily using string and timber sticks as well as a tape measure. This has to be accurate so that the fence panels can slide in once assembled.
Words of advice
Make sure you assess the area you are digging for any wires or pipes as this can cause serious trouble if damaged and even death.
How much does it cost to build a fence?
Building a fence can fall anywhere between $1,600 and $4,000 to build. While the exact pricing may vary, you can expect to pay between $13 to $50 per linear foot of fencing. This includes the cost of materials and labor. If you do it yourself, you can plan on paying much less.
How wide should a post hole be?
Something that homeowners can often forget is the importance of how wide the post holes are. The width of these holes should be at least 10 inches wide if you’re using four-by-four posts.
How deep should a post hole be for a panel section?
The minimum depth that a post hole should be for a panel section is two feet. A general rule used when building a fence is to dig the holes ⅓ to ½ of the post’s aboveground height.
How to avoid splinters when building a fence?
Speaking of safety, while building a fence, it’s good to wear thick gloves to avoid splinters. When mixing concrete, you may also want to use goggles and a mask to steer clear of unpleasant fumes.
How tall is a privacy fence?
While these dimensions are standard, it can vary from one piece of lumber to another. The average panel height on a privacy fence is six feet, and the panel length is eight feet. Post holes can be made using a digger and a shovel. Some folks also opt for using a power auger to get the job done quicker.
How tall is a 6 foot fence?
For this article, we’re going to assume you’re building a 6-foot-tall fence. Posts lengths generally start around eight or 10 feet for a fence of this height. They’re most commonly four-by-fours, which measure approximately 3 ½’’ by 3 ½’’ around.
How deep should I put a fence post?
You can install fence posts with holes that are 2 feet deep, and that is the minimum depth. However, you need to dig deeper holes if the fence post is 7 feet or larger. Dig holes with a depth that measures at least ½ of the size of the fence post. Because so much goes into building a sturdy fence, I wanted to share with you the proper way to do so.