Wooden Fences are a great way to mark the perimeter of an area. They can be used to separate a property or to create a distinct demarcation between two lands. They are also aesthetically pleasing and change the overall look of the area to a soothing and classy appearance. They also protect the property and enhance curb appeal. Wooden Fence Posts can be designed based on the owner convenience, and hence vary in shapes and sized, mostly patterns.
Setting up a fence is a do-it-yourself and setting up the posts is the only difficult part of this process. Fence posts are the strength of any wooden fence and hence needs to be erected carefully, especially is the terrain is uneven.
Here are a few things to be kept in mind while adding a Wooden Fence Post to your property.
1. The Type Of Wood: Wood is a very sensible choice for an outdoor fence. Wood gets easily affected by weather conditions and hence, the right type of wood should be chosen. Pressure treated wood is the best choice for an outdoor fence as they are both durable and affordable. Other (expensive) choices include Cedar, Cypress, and redwood. These have a beautiful finish and are naturally resistant to factors that can damage the wood. The wood contains resins that protect the fence from pests and moisture. Sensitive variants of wood such as spruce, oak etc. need to be coated with a brush-on preservative before use. A dark, dense heartwood shows better resistance to wood-boring insects when compared to their lighter counterparts.
2. Designing: The Postholes: Don’t make the postholes too small. There are specifications based on which the post holes need to be dug. The depth and width should be maintained when digging the holes. Make sure to add pea gravel or crushed stone at the bottom of the pothole to protect the base from pest and moisture. Add three inches of gravel twice to ensure that the wood is well protected. Adding gravel helps rainwater to seep through them and reach the groundwater, leaving the wooden base free of moisture. The fence posts need to be under the ground at about a third of its height. The ideal diameter is about three times the width of the post. A posthole digger is efficient in creating postholes. Avoid using a shovel as it will leave the ground with a conical hole. Clamshell diggers work great in rocky areas but is a slower process.
3. Adding The Final Layers: Most people use rapid setting concrete to their fences, which takes only 15 minutes to solidify. Hence the right amount of concrete mix needs to be calculated and prepared beforehand. Once the mix has been prepared, one can add water and start adding it to the postholes. Ensure that the hole is full of concrete but not overflowing. Create slopes at the soil level to prevent waterlogging and let it solidify. But there is another step. Once the concrete hardens, seams might form in the solid structure. These openings might attract water, causing the wood to rot faster. This can be avoided by adding an exterior acrylic latex caulk. The fence must be checked at regular intervals as the freeze-thaw may cause the seam to widen. This would need a reapplication of caulk from time to time to avoid any waterlogging.
Wooden fences add value to the property and are easy to erect as well as remove. If the above factors are kept in mind, one can set up a beautiful Wooden Fence Post around their house/area and also maintain the longevity of the fencing.
