Best Way to Install Wood Fence Posts

In both cases, you’ll need to pick the right posts that are specified as suitable for ground contact, as not all of them are designed for burial. We recommend you invest in durable heartwood that besides sturdiness tends to be insect-resistant.

That step is optional, but we highly recommend it to people living in a damp climate, since the sawn-off ends of the posts are prone to moisture damage. Dip each end of the wooden posts in a wood preservative, which contains copper naphthenate and is non-water-based.

When fitting wooden fence posts, always dig a wider hole. A standard wooden fence needs approximately 30cm of concrete across it, so keep that in mind. Also, you’ll need to bury ⅓ of the post by leaving a few inches for the base beneath it.

Put around 15 cm of aggregate into the hole and tamp it thoroughly. You can use gravel or crushed stones. That will improve drainage.

Now that your base is ready, stand the wooden post in the middle of the hole by placing two stakes into the two sides of the post. That will hold the posts in their place when you start pouring in the concrete. For even more improved drainage, add another layer of gravel.

Fill the holes with concrete by shovelling it up to 2-3 inches above the soil. Make sure you’re fast enough, so there is no chance of the concrete to harden up too quickly. Be careful and try not to splash cement onto the posts as that won’t look great once your fence is installed.

Grab a trowel and smooth out the top by making a slope outwards from the post. That will ensure that rainwater runs out from the post and there is no risk from decay. Let the concrete dry for a couple of days and harden up before putting up your fence.

Get a high-quality exterior caulk or silicon appropriate for concrete. Seal the gaps around the posts and concrete since there is a great chance of them expanding, due to freeze and thaw cycles. When that happens, water enters the post’s base and may cause rotting.