Can cedar be used for fence posts?

Can cedar be used for fence posts?

Cedar posts have been used as fence posts for centuries. Cedar is resistant to rot and therefore makes it a good material for anything built outside. If you are cutting down your own cedar trees for use as posts, keep in mind that you will need to let them cure, or dry, for at least a year before use.

How long will a cedar 4×4 post last in the ground?

Cedar has a reputation for durability, but unless a few guidelines are followed, cedar posts can fail in as few as five years.

How long will untreated cedar posts last?

People have been using Red Cedar as untreated fenceposts for a long time, and Mother Earth News notes that they will last for 15 to 20 years. Since our supports are significantly thicker than typical fenceposts and will be protected on the top from water, I wouldn’t be surprised if they lasted for several decades.

How deep should a picket fence post be?

The width of the post hole should be 3 times the width of diameter of the post. For example, if you are erecting a 6 foot high fence using 4 inch fence posts, the posts need to be 6 feet above the ground. 6 divided by 3 is 2, therefore the depth of the hole required is 2 feet.

How deep should a cedar fence post be?

2 feet
Dig post hole so diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the post (i.e., the hole for a 4” wood post should be about 12 inches wide). The depth of the hole should be 1/3-1/2 the post height above ground (i.e., a 6-foot tall fence would require a hole depth of at least 2 feet).

What kind of wood is used for fence posts?

Most wood fence posts are made of durable softwoods such as cedar or pine. Another alternative is to set up a wood fence with metal posts in materials such as aluminum or galvanized steel. Read our handy guide — Wood Fence Tips: Installing Posts, Rails and Pickets — for installation tips and details.

What are the different types of fence posts?

Some are universal posts, meaning they can be used for any of these purposes. Most wood fence posts are made of durable softwoods such as cedar or pine. Another alternative is to set up a wood fence with metal posts in materials such as aluminum or galvanized steel.

Can you build a wood fence with metal posts?

There is a much better way to build a wood fence with metal posts. That’s completely different from your typical wood fence. The FenceTrac rail privacy fence system has completely revolutionized what it means to build a privacy fence. Now you can have a wood fence with metal posts that stands the test of time.

How do you build a fence with metal posts and pickets?

When using the FenceTrac system to build a wood fence with metal posts, we recommend using tongue and groove red cedar fence pickets. This style of wooden fence picket nests together to create a strong fence with little (to zero) visibility through the fence.