What Size Metal Post For A Wood Fence? (Find Out Now!)
Wooden fences are one of the most popular ways of adding privacy and beauty to your front or back yard. Whether you want protection, privacy, or to add character to your property, wood fences are a great way to do it. Even better is to use metal posts to support your wooden fence.
To build a wooden fence with metal posts, round metal posts should be 1 7/8 inches in diameter with a thickness of .13 inches. Square metal posts should be 1 7/8 inches by 2 3/8 inches square with a thickness of .13 inches. Metal posts are strong, durable, and long-lasting and are excellent choices for your wood fence.
Building a wood fence with metal posts is a surprisingly easy process. Metal posts add a flair of character and style to wooden fences, and they’re a strong and durable option. However, specific tips and tricks are involved in using metal posts on your wooden fence. In this article, we will look at what size your metal posts should be and how to use them with your wood fence.
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How Big do Metal Posts for a Wood Fence Need to be?
Depending on the height of your wood fence, you will need different sizes of metal posts.
For a Four to Six Foot Fence
For a wooden privacy fence that stands four to six feet tall, you should use metal posts 1 7/8 inches in diameter or 1 7/8 inches square. The thickness should be .13 inches with either type of post. Wooden fences in these heights are the most popular, and posts of these sizes are readily accessible.
Related Guide: What Size T Post For A 4-Foot Fence?
For a Fence Over Six Feet
If your fence is over six feet tall, you’ll need slightly thicker and larger metal posts. They should be 2 3/8 inches round with a thickness of .20 inches for diameter posts. They should measure 2 3/8 inches on every side with the same thickness of .20 inches for square posts.
How Deep Should Metal Posts be for a Wooden Fence?
As a general rule, metal posts should be dug down to half of the depth of the fence. For a fence that is six feet tall, you should dig two to three-foot holes for your posts. Part of what affects how deep you dig your holes is how tall your posts are. If you only have access to eight-foot posts, you should only dig two-foot holes for your six-foot fence. However, if given the option, it would be best to dig a three-foot hole for metal posts on a six-foot fence.
Are Metal Posts Best for Wood Fences?
Metal posts are great options for wooden fences. They look sharp and striking, and many options are available for color matching purposes. Darker metal colors look great when mixed with lighter-colored woods and vice versa. Metal posts also have certain advantages over wooden posts.
Strong and Sturdy
Metal posts are extremely sturdy when they’re installed correctly. The key is to dig down deep enough so that the post doesn’t move and wobble. The other key is to use proper brackets to attach the wood panels to the metal post. If you follow the steps laid out below to a T, your fence will be as strong as possible.
The Don’t Rot
Wooden posts are prone to rotting when exposed to the elements. On the other hand, metal posts don’t rot or wear down when exposed to rain, snow, and humidity. The main thing to remember with your metal post is to get rust-resistant ones. Metal doesn’t rot or decay, but it will rust if you don’t have the right posts.
Low Maintenance
As long as your metal posts don’t rust, there are very few things that can go wrong with them. Therefore, there’s very little maintenance involved with metal posts. They’ll last as long as your fence does and be solid and supportive all the while.
What are My Post Options for a Wood Fence?
Wooden fences have many advantages over other types of fencing materials. One of them is having either wood or metal posts to support it.
Metal
As previously mentioned, metal posts offer a solid and stable base for your wooden fence. They don’t rot or decay, and they are incredibly sturdy and long-lasting.
Wood
Wooden posts for a wooden fence aren’t a bad idea. They simply aren’t as durable as metal posts. Wood posts only last around 7 to 10 years on average due to rot and decay. Moisture, humidity, and other weather elements attend to eat away at wood and break it down.
How to Build a Wood Fence With Metal Posts
Putting a wooden fence together with the use of metal posts is hard work but can be done by almost anyone. If you’re feeling ambitious, here’s what you need to do.
Purchase the Correct Metal Posts
Depending on how tall your fence is, you’ll have to purchase posts of different sizes as well. For a six-foot wooden fence, you’ll need 8-foot posts that are 1 7/8 inches square or diameter.
Dig Your Holes
For a six-foot fence with eight-foot posts, you should dig your holes two feet deep. If you want to add a gravel base, however, make so that your holes are deep enough to accommodate the gravel.
Fill With Gravel or Concrete
Once your holes are dug to the correct depth, you have the option of adding a gravel base or surrounding the base of the post with concrete. If you’re using concrete to solidify your posts, center the post in the hole and pour a bad of mixed concrete around the post.
Install the Posts
Perform this with each of the posts, one at a time. Make sure that you give the concrete at least half an hour to settle and solidify before refilling the hole with dirt. Concrete will make your posts much sturdier than simply using dirt.
Fasten the Wood Panels
To fasten the wood panels to your metal posts, you’ll need screws, a screw gun, and metal fence brackets. Put your fence at the height that you want it to be and tighten the fence brackets around the fence post. Screw either side of the panels to the metal brackets and tighten the bracket around the post.
Related Questions
Are metal posts the best option for wooden fences?
Metal posts have definite advantages over wooden posts, but it’s up to you as to what type of posts you want. Both of them have advantages and disadvantages, and it’s up to your personal preference.
Are there other installation options with metal posts?
If you don’t like the idea of using metal fence brackets, you can also use posts with tracks, similar to how vinyl fences are put together.
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Final Thoughts
Metal posts are a great option for your wood fence, as long as you make sure that your posts are the right size. Ensure that you consult a fencing professional if you are unsure about which posts you need.
Before I started writing, I worked for 6 plus years in the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC business. I was primarily an HVAC installer but also worked as a plumber and electrician. Now I'm a copywriter, focusing on home improvement content and guides.
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