Fence posts are the foundation of any type of fence, the very backbone of the entire structure. When your fence posts fail, the rest of the fence is impacted as well. Solid and sturdy fence posts are an extremely important component of a fence, and therefore, choosing the material type of your fence posts is an equally important decision whether you are building a new fence or reconstructing an already existing one.
Types of Fence Posts
Fence posts can be made from numerous kinds of materials, including:
- Natural wood
- Metal
- Aluminum
- Steel
- Composite wood
- Plastic
- Concrete
Of the many different options, natural cedar wood is one of the most popular material choices. Many homeowners select cedar fence posts, especially when building a cedar wood fence.
Fence Posts Made of Cedar Wood
Why is natural cedar wood a popular choice? Let’s explore the top five reasons why wood fence posts pair well with cedar wood fence panels.
Look: If you want a smooth, seamless look to your fence, you can’t go wrong with a wood-on-wood combination. With no jarring distinctions between the posts and panels, your fence will have a uniform appearance. Plus, when using the same material for both the panels and posts, the fence will have the same color and tone across the entire fencing system. The fence panels will blend into the fence posts, creating a cohesive fence design.
Workability: When you build a fence with wood fence posts, you can easily attach the panels directly to the posts with screws. Depending on the style of your fence, you can secure the panel to the face of the post or to the side of the post. The distance between each fence post will vary depending on the style of fence you select, so proper planning before you break ground is a crucial step to building a fence with attached panels and posts.
Safety: The fact that fence panels can attach to wood posts is more than just a convenient perk, it is an extra security measure that other fence styles cannot achieve. Stand-alone fence panels that are not connected to a post can be easily removed by simply lifting them out of place. Unfixed panels are a burglar’s dream come true.
Cost: When calculating the overall cost of your fencing project, it is always best to compare price points. Most homeowners build a fence on a budget, and some material options are more expensive than others. Although the cost of wood has increased over the years, it still remains one of the most affordable material choices when compared against other fence post options.
Ease of Installation: Cedar wood is easy to work with, which simplifies the installation process. In fact, cedar wood is sought after for its adaptable nature and functional performance. There is no way around it – installing fence posts is a tedious task, but the material type will either increase or decrease the workload.
When Compared to Other Fence Posts
No material choice is 100% indestructible. Determining the right material choice for your specific circumstances and expectations comes down to comparing the benefits and drawbacks of each kind of fence post material.
For example, let’s say you want to install fence posts made of concrete. Be prepared for the:
Potential Damage: Concrete posts can crack and chip, and when that occurs, the entire post is compromised. When concrete breaks, water is able to seep into the post. When water seeps through the concrete, it can worsen existing cracks or create new ones. This damage exposes the internal components of the post, such as the metal wires set within the concrete post. When water hits those wires, they can begin to rust. Ultimately, the post will fail, which impacts the safety and stability of the entire fence.
Installation Restrictions: You cannot attach fence panels to concrete posts the same way you can secure fence panels to wood posts. There are specific guidelines to follow when installing concrete posts and certain precautions to take when building the entire fence. If you have a particular fence design in mind, it is important to check beforehand if your vision is compatible with concrete posts.
Extra Cost: Not only is concrete in and of itself more expensive than natural wood, but it is heavier than most fence post material options. This means concrete posts could potentially cost more to transport due to their size and weight, and furthermore, they can cost more to install due to increased labor and time.
A Fence Post Material That is Right Fit For Your Fence
Whether replacing an old fence or constructing a new one, expect to make a lot of decisions in order to complete your fence project. When trying to determine the right fence post material, take the time to compare and contrast your options.
A well-planned fence is the best kind of fence. As the saying goes, “Knowledge is power.” As you educate yourself on the various possibilities, you can then discover what materials and fence styles will fit your budget and design preferences.
