Fence posts

getmore4less

BananaRepublic wrote: »

A large section of the wooden ~2 metre tall fence at the bottom of my garden came down in recent storms, mainly because the posts were held by metal stakes which are unsuitable in heavy clay soil when waterlogged. Anyway, the neighbour wants to share the repair cost, but prefers concrete posts, in part because there is a 6" drop at the boundary, and concrete boards will hold the soil back better than wood which bows. I find concrete ugly. He says that concrete will last longer. My view is that wood looks better and if held with postcrete/concrete at the base, it will not blow over so easily.

Are there alternatives, such as a concrete base that can support a wooden post above the soil line? Does painted concrete look okay? I paint the fence with a dark oak preservative, which could cover the posts too.

There are versions of the spiked holders that you concrete in.
eg: Metpost Concrete In System 2 100mm x 100mm


if you went for a proper fence with arris rails would the neighbour be happy for you to have the nice side?

You need the posts with notches/recessed as these allow the boards to be continuous, not the slotted ones which don't.

eg.

Furts

BananaRepublic wrote: »

Thanks all. One problem is knowing which posts are higher quality. The descriptions all seem to be high pressure treated with 15 years warranty. The current posts are 4" by 4". One was rotten at the base after 7 years in the ground. The others were fine.

An alternative is to have the post attached to a concrete base by means of a rod in the base. Thus the wood is not in contact with soil. But I can't find any for sale in the UK. I suppose brick bases with poles attached via a metal clamp is another idea, but brick bases would cost I guess.

I really do find concrete ugly, however it is an option.

There is a flaw with pressure treated which you are not picking up on. This is exploited by diy sheds preying on consumers who do not know. Pressure treated fence posts are useless if the timber is pressure treated before it arrives for cutting into posts. It must be pressure treated after being cut to length. But then one has no idea how carefully the pressure treating has been done, and your failed post may have a shake or a knot causing the ingress of rot. Which means the consumer has to inspect the posts and it is always wise to soak the ends in preservative.

jhe

I have concrete posts and gravel boards all the way around my 100ft long garden all 2 metres high, I chose the posts that allow a fence to slot in for easier changing when needed.
looks tidy enough to me.
My garden is also clay and water does stand in it.
the clay dries out in warmer weather and there is slight movement on the posts . that disappears when it rains again