A fence post is a vertical wooden or concrete post that serves as the supporting structure for a fence. The posts are placed in the ground (dug in, set in concrete or in a ground anchor) and form the skeleton to which fence boards, panels or garden screens are attached.
Materials
Material
Lifespan
Application
Pressure-treated softwood
10-15 years
Standard wooden fence
Hardwood
20-25 years
Durable wooden fence
Concrete
30+ years
Concrete fence with wooden/composite infill panels
Steel (post bracket)
25+ years
Steel post bracket with wooden post
Dimensions (wood)
Post size
Application
70 x 70 mm
Low fence, garden divider
90 x 90 mm
Standard fence (1.80 m high)
120 x 120 mm
Heavy fence, wind load
150 x 150 mm
Corner posts, extra load
Installation
Method 1: Setting in concret The five steps for setting a wooden fence post in concrete.
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1. Dig a hole (40×40 cm, 60-80 cm deep)
2. 10 cm of gravel at the bottom (drainage)
3. Place the post, check it is plumb
4. Pour concrete around the post
5. Allow to cure (24-48 hours before loading)
Method 2: Ground anchor/post bracket
1. Drive or screw in a ground anchor
2. Place the post in the bracket
3. Bolt through
Method 3: On a concrete pier
1. Place a concrete pier
2. Mount a post bracket
3. Set the post on the bracket (wood does not touch the ground)
Spacing between posts
Standard: 180 cm centre-to-centre (this matches standard fence panels of 180 cm wide).
