Fence posts: timber vs concrete

Why the post matters more than the panel

Fences fail at the post, at ground level, where timber sits in permanently damp soil. Whatever you spend on panels, the post decides when you next pay a fencing contractor.

Comparing the three options

Each has a legitimate use:

• Concrete posts: longest life, panels slot in and out easily, industrial appearance, heavy to handle
• Timber posts: better looking, essential for a properly detailed close board fence, shorter life in wet ground
• Timber posts on concrete spurs: timber appearance with the below-ground durability of concrete — a good compromise, and the standard repair for a rotted timber post

Getting the footing right

Whichever post you choose, the footing does the work. Adequate depth for the height, a hole wide enough for a proper collar of concrete, and drainage material at the base so water is not held around the post.