What Size T Post For A 4 Foot Fence? (Find Out Now!)
There are many different uses for a standard four-foot fence on your property. Whether you have livestock and pets on your property, or you want to keep your children from getting too close to the road, it’s important to have a sturdy fence on your side.
When building a four-foot fence around your property, you will need T-posts that are approximately 6 feet long. This is because you will have to drive the posts into the ground to secure them, which will sink down approximately 24 inches. Thus, 6-foot T-posts turn into 4-foot posts once they are in the ground.
Read on to learn all about T-posts, so you can start planning your project on the best foot.
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Fencing Post Materials
There are a couple different T-post options from which you can choose for your four-foot fence. The best option for your property will depend on a few factors, including the local climate, your need for the fence, and your own personal preferences.
Metal Fence Posts
Metal fence posts are the more expensive option upfront but cost less overall due to lower maintenance and repair costs over time. Although they won’t offer the same aesthetic appeal, they are the more durable and convenient option.
Your fence is going to face harsh conditions from season to season, and it will be more helpful to have durable metal T-posts. This is especially true for galvanized steel posts. Metal T-posts are also easier to install as you can drive them into the ground without pre-made holes.
Wooden Fence Posts
When using wooden T-posts, you can use either mesh wiring or wooden planks for the actual fencing. To better support wooden posts, you will need to dig the hole first and surround the posts with gravel or cement.
Wooden fence posts are attractive, but they are not the best option for containing small animals or crops. This is because some animals, whether trying to get in or out, can chew or claw through wood.
Furthermore, wood T-posts are vulnerable to moisture, high winds, and the other elements. That said, these types of posts are more affordable out the gates, but you’ll end up shelling out more money over time.
How to Install T-Posts
Installing T-posts for your new fence is a straightforward process. First, map out where you want to place the corners of the fence. You will need a post driver to pound the T-posts into the corner marks. Once you set the corner posts, measure no more than 8 feet between each post and pound those into the ground. Continue on until you finish the job.
How to Attach the Fencing
After you finish the heavy lifting, you’ll need to add the actual fencing. To start, unroll the wire fence and lean it against the T-posts. You’ll then use either fencing staples or barbed wire to attach the fencing to the posts. For best results, start at the corner and tightly fit everything as you secure it.
T-Posts vs. U-Posts
The main difference between these two types of posts is their shape. As the names suggest, T-posts are shaped like the letter “T” and U-posts are shaped like a “U.” However, both popular options come with their fair share of advantages and disadvantages and both are better suited to different projects.
T-Posts
T-posts have many advantages. Most notably, they are convenient, strong, and reusable. They can protect smaller animals, gardens plants, traffic signboards, and more. T-posts are very easy to install and remove when necessary as they are thinner and lighter than U-posts.
However, since they are so easy to install, they’re also more likely to move around once put in the ground. For this reason, they are not the ideal choice for larger livestock as the animals can lean against the posts and push them outward.
U-Posts
U-posts are usually the less expensive option, but they are thicker and sturdier overall. That’s why people often use them on farms to contain larger animals like ponies or goats.
These types of posts are long-lasting but are harder to move once installed. That said, they have similar uses to T-posts. You will have a harder time digging them up once they are set in the ground.
Related Questions
How many T-posts are in a bundle?
There are many different T-post bundle sizes that you can purchase, ranging from small bundles of five to master bundles of 200. They are usually made from either rail steel or wood and can support wire fencing. They are often sold in bundles of 10 or pallets of 50 bundles.
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Conclusion
If you want a four-foot fence, the installation process is quite simple albeit time-consuming depending on the size. When it comes to choosing the right size T-posts, simply choose one that is two feet longer. This accounts for the part of the post that is stuck in the ground to support it.
Once it’s driven into the ground, you’ll be left with four feet of post sticking above the ground. From there, you’ll be ready to build the rest of your fence.
I am a copywriter and editor based in the Las Vegas area with nearly a decade of experience under my belt writing landing pages, cost guides, blog posts, newsletters, case studies, and social media content. I have a degree in Strategic Communication and experience working in both the account and creative spheres. My goal is to always be discovering new interests and bettering myself as a writer and editor along the way.
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