Steel, Concrete or Wood: The Ultimate Guide to Fence Posts
Deciding on new fencing for your garden isn’t easy, especially when weighing the pros and cons of wooden or concrete fence posts. You need to consider the installation, aesthetics, durability, sustainability and short and long-term costs of the fence post, all of which can make it difficult to decide the best option.
We can also add into the mix a third option. DuraPost® are a newer alternative made from galvanised steel. So, how do they stack up to the more traditional fence posts?
In this article, we’ll compare wood, concrete and DuraPost® steel fence posts across all these key areas to help you make the correct decision for your new fence.
Table of contents
Are concrete fence posts better than wood?
Concrete fence posts
Installation
Due to the sheer weight of concrete posts, installation takes great time and effort. They usually require an extra pair of hands or two to ensure a safe and efficient job is complete. So, if you’re looking for something you can quickly install by yourself, concrete posts probably aren’t the best option.
Aesthetics
Ultimately, the aesthetics of a fence post comes down to personal preference and choosing what will suit your style. However, concrete fence posts tend to be seen as less appealing than wooden ones due to their bulkiness and industrial appearance. Concrete posts also contrast more with the fence panels and boards (usually wooden) and have fewer options for styling.
Durability
The longevity of a fence must be taken into consideration. A fence post prone to wear and tear just isn’t cost-effective in the long run. Concrete is a durable building material that lasts around 20 years with minimal maintenance. Concrete is also not degradable, so you don’t have to worry about the posts rotting.
While concrete is durable, it is not entirely impervious to the weather. Excessive wind and rain can cause concrete posts to chip and crack, often leading to the interior wire reinforcements becoming exposed, weakening the structure.
Sustainability
With the ever-growing concern for our environment, opting for an environmentally friendly fence is a priority amongst many homeowners and contractors.
Concrete posts have the biggest impact on the health of our environment over any other fence post. The material has even been labelled ‘the most destructive on earth’ and is said to be responsible for 4-8% of the world’s CO2. In short, if you value sustainability, we wouldn’t recommend concrete.
Costs
Concrete fence posts are often an expensive option. Not only do they cost more upfront than wooden posts, but they may also require additional costs for transportation and installation due to their weight. If your posts are likely to see a lot of wear and tear, you will also see additional costs from needing to maintain or replace them.
Wooden fence posts
Installation
Wood is somewhat lighter than concrete, requiring less effort to install a fence using wooden posts. Although slightly quicker to install, wood fence posts still require two people for maximum efficiency.
Aesthetics
For many people, a big advantage of wooden fence posts is that they give a much more natural and seamless appearance than concrete. Wooden fence posts can also be painted or stained to match your garden aesthetic.
Durability
The lifespan of timber fence posts can vary depending on the type of wood used. While treated timber posts can last 10 to 15 years, untreated timber may need replacing in under 5 years. Moreover, rotting, splitting and warping (where the post expands upon water absorption) are common occurrences for wooden fence posts. As a result, this can bring health and safety risks to your outdoor space, as a rotting fence won’t stand for long in strong winds.
Sustainability
While some timber is obtained from sustainable sources, the process still involves the felling of trees. Cutting down trees releases carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Furthermore, timber treatment can harm plants and animals as the chemicals used to preserve the wood from insects and fungi can seep into the ground and contaminate soil or groundwater, harming the surrounding life.
Costs
In the short term, wooden fence posts seem like a great option due to their cheaper price. However, you also have to consider long-term costs when it comes to pricing. Due to rotting, splitting and warping, opting for wood fence posts often means a high lifetime cost as you must pay more for repairs or new posts.
Are concrete fence posts better than wood?
Concrete and wooden fence posts each have their pros and cons, so which one is best for you will depend on your needs. If you’re looking for something strong and sturdy then concrete is your best option, whereas wood is ideal as a cheaper, more natural looking and more sustainable option.
Of course, there is also a third option. If you’re looking for something that combines the strength of concrete with the lightness of wood, then DuraPost® galvanised steel fence posts might be the option for you. Read on to find out more.
DuraPost® steel fence posts
Installation
When installing your fencing, a fence post made from steel blows both concrete and wooden fence posts out of the water. DuraPost® is 80% lighter than concrete, making the installation process efficient with just 1 person and reducing the installation time.
Aside from the installation speed, the compact design of DuraPost® combines the ease of installation with security. Due to the DuraPost® innovative design, the fence panels are fully secure and cannot be lifted once the installation is complete, giving you maximum safety from your fencing.
Whether you’re a DIYer or a professional installer, see how to install DuraPost® steel posts in this video:
Aesthetics
If you’re looking for stylish, elegant and modern-looking fencing, DuraPost® is the way forward. Not only does DuraPost® offer a great-looking fence, but you also can choose from a range of colour-matched capping rails, gravel boards and post caps for a customised fence suitable for any garden.
For a truly unique look, why not combine concrete and wooden fence panels with DuraPost® steel posts?
Alternatively, you can place cover boards over the posts to keep the natural look of wooden fencing while keeping the steel posts’ benefits.
Durability
DuraPost® is stronger than concrete and wood fence posts and is guaranteed to last up to 25 years.
DuraPost® fence posts are made from galvanised steel, so unlike wooden posts, they won’t rot, split or warp over time.
They are also more resilient than concrete posts, so they won’t chip and crack in bad weather. DuraPost® fence posts can even withstand winds of up to 110mph.
Sustainability
As DuraPost® fence posts are made from steel, they are endlessly recyclable, have a long life span and are made using a low-energy manufacturing process, making them environmentally friendly.
DuraPost® is carbon neutral. Their posts are manufactured and stocked in the UK, meaning transportation miles are cut significantly, reducing emissions and environmental impact.
Costs
DuraPost® requires a greater upfront cost than concrete and timber fence posts, but they are much more cost-effective long-term. The fence posts are incredibly durable and come with a 25-year warranty, so you can be sure they will last long without needing replacing.
Which fence post is best?
Having looked at the main features of each of the three options, it seems clear that DuraPost® is by far and away the best option.
If you’re looking for a durable, aesthetically pleasing, sustainable fence post system that won’t break the bank, look no further than DuraPost®.
Concrete and timber fence posts are simply no match for DuraPost®. The range comes in various colour options to complement your garden, match windows, or suit a contemporary or traditional style. Get your garden kitted out with DuraPost® today!Want to find out more about DuraPost® or need some further support? Contact us today, we’d love to chat!
Related blogs:
Comments are closed here.