Full Answer
What kind of wood is used for fence posts?
Most wood fence posts are made of durable softwoods such as cedar or pine. Another alternative is to set up a wood fence with metal posts in materials such as aluminum or galvanized steel. Read our handy guide — Wood Fence Tips: Installing Posts, Rails and Pickets — for installation tips and details.
How long do pressure-treated wood fence posts last?
For sealing pressure-treated wood fence posts, you will need to use the best below-ground wood preservative that can keep the wood from rotting and going off. In most cases, you can expect treated wood posts to last not more than one decade.
Can you put treated wood posts in the ground?
Before installing the treated wood posts into the ground, consider staining it with a waterproofing stain and then sealing it with an all-weather wood sealer such as Ready Seal. After you have buried the wood posts in the soil surrounding the submerged treated wood well with cement. This will make the posts stable.
What happens if you put a wooden post on concrete?
Avoid using wooden posts that are uncured. As the wood dries out, it will shrink. If the post is surrounded by concrete, a pit will form underneath your post. Water will collect here and contribute greatly to wood rot.
How long do poly coated posts last?
What does it mean to buy American pole and timber?
What is CCA treated post?
Where is American Pole and Timber located?
Can you kiln dry wood before treating?
What does wood post mean?
A post is a main vertical or leaning support in a structure similar to a column or pillar but the term post generally refers to a timber but may be metal or stone. A stud in wooden or metal building construction is similar but lighter duty than a post and a strut may be similar to a stud or act as a brace.
How are wood posts made?
2:1710:39How Wood Fence Posts are Made - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is a cut-off saw. So it sends a post out the appropriate length cuts it off and this last pieceMoreThis is a cut-off saw. So it sends a post out the appropriate length cuts it off and this last piece wasn't quite big enough to make a post so it'll go in and get chipped up for biofuel.
What is a post on a fence?
a post, made of wood, metal, or other sturdy material, that is a vertical support for a fence. The horizontal pieces or sections of a fence are attached to the fence posts, which are set at intervals into the ground, usually secured with concrete or gravel.
What wood is used for posts?
PinePine is the most common and, when pressure treated, can last for up to 30 years. Other long-lasting types are Redwood and Sweetgum. Some tree species don't need to be treated and can last up to 25 years.
How do I put a post in the ground?
0:351:59How to install a fence post into soil - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis will help with drainage. And reduce. The risk of the post rotting in the future. Put the postMoreThis will help with drainage. And reduce. The risk of the post rotting in the future. Put the post into the hole gradually fill the hole with the dry post fix cement packing.
How do you protect wooden posts in the ground?
Placing a thick layer of loose gravel at the bottom of the post hole will allow groundwater to trickle through the rocks and down away from the base of the post. This will prevent the post from rotting by keeping it constantly dry. You can purchase gravel at a local hardware store or landscaping-supply business.
What are the types of fence posts?
Types of Fence Posts for Wood and Ornamental FencesLine Posts. Line posts have holes on either side. ... End Posts. End posts mark the end of the line. ... Corner Posts. Use corner posts to join sections at 90-degree angles. ... Blank Posts. ... Gate Posts. ... Hinge Posts.
How do you install a wooden fence post?
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 do you use for wood fence posts?
Here Are Some Of The Best Wood For Fencing and Their Key Features And Benefits.Cedar. Cedar offers excellent resistance to rot and has natural oils that deter insects. ... Redwood. Redwood is one of the most widely used wood types for wooden fencing. ... Doughlas Fir. ... Cypress. ... Pressure Treated Woods.
How do you set a post?
2:454:36How to Set Fence Posts - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLine hold the post in place and fasten your scrap pieces a two by four to adjacent sides of the postMoreLine hold the post in place and fasten your scrap pieces a two by four to adjacent sides of the post. Drive stakes into the ground and fasten the other end of the two by fours to the stakes.
How do I put a post in the ground without concrete?
There are a few options for materials to set your fence posts if you aren't using cement. These include dirt, gravel, sand, and crushed rock. Dirt: Filling the hole with dirt and compacting it will help to support the fence post. However, this method is not very strong.
What type of fence post is best?
Metal fence posts, whether they are made of galvanized steel or aluminum, are stronger and more durable than wood fence posts. Metal fence posts are virtually immune to the factors that cause most fences to fail at ground level: moisture, rot, and insect damage.
How is timber made step by step?
The trees are usually cut into smaller lengths on-site and then picked up by a timber lorry, which transports the timber to a processing site, such as a sawmill, paper mill, pallet, fencing or construction producer. At the chosen site, the logs are debarked and bucked, or cut to the required length.
What is the difference between a pole and a post?
A post is defined as a 4" – 5.9" in diameter piece of wood that is 8.0 feet long. A pole is defined as a 3" – 5.9" in diameter piece of wood that is 20 feet long. All tree species, EXCEPT CEDAR can be used for post and pole permits.
How do you build a wooden fence pole?
2:4223:43How to Build a Wood Fence - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the boards will be spaced three and a half inches. Between. Once we have our fence lineMoreSo the boards will be spaced three and a half inches. Between. Once we have our fence line established we can start marking out our spacing for our post. Holes.
How are wood boards made?
The most common method of sawing coniferous softwood is block-sawing, followed by resawing. With block-sawing, the log is rotated to the best position and sawn through to make optimum use of the log's dimensions. It is then laid down so the centrecut can be sawn into boards and planks.
What is CCA treated post?
Your posts can be pressure treated with Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) or Alkaline Copper Quat (ACQ). CCA pressure treated posts are the standard posts supplied from American Pole & Timber. ACQ treated posts are readily and quickly available upon your request.
How long do poly coated posts last?
Your posts will be coated about one foot above and below the expected ground line. Poly coated posts are guaranteed for 25 years against attack by wood-boring organisms.
What is the standard penetration for ground contact?
Most treated posts are treated to a penetration of .40pcf, the standard treatment for ground contact applications. If your posts will be located near water or in an area where standing water is common we may recommend that you treat your posts to .60pcf for increased longevity.
What does it mean to buy American pole and timber?
Buying materials from American Pole & Timber means you will build with the best materials and our custom manufacturing capabilities provide you with more options for designs and solutions. Our capabilities are your capabilities.
Can you kiln dry wood before treating?
Kiln Dried Before Treatment. Your posts can be kiln dried before treatment. By removing the moisture from the wood before they are pressure treated (with water-borne preservatives) the preservatives can reach further into the fibers of your treated posts for better penetration and more effectively treated wood.
Where is American Pole and Timber located?
American Pole & Timber supplies treated posts throughout Texas and Louisiana. Whether you need a single bundle or multiple truckloads, we can deliver your needs.
How to make wood posts stable?
After you have buried the wood posts in the soil surrounding the submerged treated wood well with cement. This will make the posts stable.
What Makes Wood Posts Rot Faster?
If your wood posts are rotting fast, there could be different reasons for this.
How Can You Protect Treated Wood Underground?
Pressure-treated wood is chemically treated (with chemicals such as arsenic and chromium) to make it resistant to biological attacks and infestations.
What are the preservatives in wood?
Some of these wood preservatives include creosote, linseed oil, pentachlorophenol, and water-borne copper naphthenate.
What causes wood to rot?
Insects like termites along with fungus can also make wood rot with time.
Why is wood porous?
Moisture and warmth of the ground soil can weaken the wood and can make it even more porous.
How to prevent wood posts from disintegrating?
To prevent the wood posts from getting disintegrated and to get the right finish, I recommend using a custom-made mixture of your own hand-rubbed oil blend.
Why use pressure treated posts for fence?
If you are using wood posts, choose a pressure-treated post; they’re stronger and more resistant to wet ground, seasonal elements, and use from your horses.
How long do pressure treated posts last?
If posts are not pressure-treated, they may last less than a year if exposed to the underground natural elements! Treated posts are rolled in vats of treatment, where it mostly soaks onto the outside of the dry post, leaving much of the inside still vulnerable to moisture.
What type of pine is used for pasture fencing?
Red Pine posts are logged in northern states and they are a softer wood than yellow southern pine, however, both posts work very well for pasture fencing. Prices vary throughout the United States due to the distance that posts are shipped to and from delivery points. Different types of fencing systems can utilize different sized posts.
Can different fencing systems use different sized posts?
Different types of fencing systems can utilize different sized posts. Please check out our product pages for post suggestions or speak with a RAMM expert for more information. You can read more on posts here.
What type of wood is best for a post?
3. Opt for cypress or redwood for naturally moisture-resistant options. Since these types of wood are naturally resistant to soaking up moisture, they’re a good choice of lumber for your posts. Cypress in particular is noted for its color consistency, density, hardness, and relative lack of knots.
What wood is best for a fence post?
Select white cedar or black locust if you’re concerned about fungi. In swampy, marshy environments, fungi are one of the primary causes of post rot. Both black locust and eastern white cedar are naturally resistant to all types of fungus. This makes them an ideal choice for posts that will be in damp ground. Cedar is also an ideal wood for fencing around your house as it is beautiful and has a long lifespan.
How to treat a post?
To treat your post, soak the bottom foot for 15 to 20 minutes in a large bucket of wood preservative containing copper napthenate. After your post has soaked thoroughly, use a brush to apply a thick layer of preservative on the bottom 2 feet. Make sure to let the post dry overnight before setting it into the ground.
How to bury a post?
Purchase a wood preservative that contains copper naphthenate at a lumberyard or hardware store. Pour about 1⁄2 litre (0.53 qt) of it into a large bucket. Set the end of your post that you’ll bury in the ground into the bucket and let it soak for 15–20 minutes.
What happens if you don't pressure treat wood?
Woods that haven’t been pressure-treated will have a looser structure, making them more permeable to water, bacteria, insects, and other rot-causing agents.
What does the end tag on a lumberyard mean?
When you’re perusing the wood supply at a lumberyard, take a look at the end tag (a piece of paper stapled to the base of the post). It should say that the wood has been treated to the standards of either the International Code Commission (ICC), the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA), or the Canadian Standards Association.
How long does it take for wood posts to rot?
If you were to skip applying the wood preservative, you posts would likely begin to rot within 6 months, regardless of whether or not you set them in concrete.
Why is a tree post tapered?
Because the tree is tapered, the post is tapered. These posts are measured by the small end. The advantage of a tapered post is that you get more wood for the money. A tapered post diameter should have a 1” taper from small to large end.
Why are perfect posts weak?
Perfect posts are aesthetically pleasing. However, the milling process can create a weaker post because the heartwood is often off center. If the heartwood is off center, a non-tapered post used as the horizontal brace may weaken over time. Non-tapered posts make for an appealing fence line, but remember to use tapered posts for added strength in ...
What is a non-tapered post?
A non-tapered post is a log pushed through a spinning ring which gives a smooth, consistent post. The lack of taper makes this post about 15% lighter than the comparable traditional post, making them less expensive to ship and more uniform in size. A 4” x 7’ non-tapered post is exactly 4 ¼” from the top to bottom of a 7’ long post. A non-tapered post is also known in the industry as a perfect post.
Is a tapered post stronger than a non-tapered post?
What about strength? Some fence installers prefer the tapered post over the non-tapered as they feel there is more post surface, making the post stronger for hydraulic driving. While there are no definitive tests to prove this, it does offer food for thought. Perfect posts are aesthetically pleasing. However, the milling process can create a weaker post because the heartwood is often off center. If the heartwood is off center, a non-tapered post used as the horizontal brace may weaken over time.
What are U posts used for?
U posts are often used for farms of goats and ponies while T posts are more appropriate for poultry.
What are the advantages of a fence post?
One of the advantages of this type of fence post is it brings an aesthetically pleasing appearance to your farm. However, for small animals and crop fencing, reconsider if you tend to use it.
How to install steel fence posts?
Select among various types of steel fence posts. Consider “T” and “U” posts. Based on the total length of the fence and the distance between posts, determine how wide you would like each post to be. It is suggested that posts should be about 2-feet taller than the fence.
What is the best way to keep wire fence posts vertically fixed?
Wooden fence posts can be a great option for various types of wire and wooden fencing. In order to maintain the wooden fence posts vertically fixed, we have to dig holes and surround them with gravel or fill holes with cement so that they are sturdy and durable.
How to increase the strength of a fence post?
To increase sturdy support for posts, secure them with more stakes or wires around the base of the posts. Though this task is not compulsory, it can yield a long-lasting fencing structure and eliminate the possibility of a weak and shaky one.
How to secure posts to stakes?
Secure posts to stakes by inserting small and thin metal posts underground in each post.
How thick are U posts?
The thickness of T posts and U posts are pretty the same, from 2 mm to 6 mm. 4.
How long do poly coated posts last?
Your posts will be coated about one foot above and below the expected ground line. Poly coated posts are guaranteed for 25 years against attack by wood-boring organisms.
What does it mean to buy American pole and timber?
Buying materials from American Pole & Timber means you will build with the best materials and our custom manufacturing capabilities provide you with more options for designs and solutions. Our capabilities are your capabilities.
What is CCA treated post?
Your posts can be pressure treated with Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) or Alkaline Copper Quat (ACQ). CCA pressure treated posts are the standard posts supplied from American Pole & Timber. ACQ treated posts are readily and quickly available upon your request.
Where is American Pole and Timber located?
American Pole & Timber supplies treated posts throughout Texas and Louisiana. Whether you need a single bundle or multiple truckloads, we can deliver your needs.
Can you kiln dry wood before treating?
Kiln Dried Before Treatment. Your posts can be kiln dried before treatment. By removing the moisture from the wood before they are pressure treated (with water-borne preservatives) the preservatives can reach further into the fibers of your treated posts for better penetration and more effectively treated wood.
