When it comes to building a fence, one of the most critical decisions you’ll make is choosing the type of posts to use. In the Pacific Northwest, where weather conditions can be quite challenging, the two most common options are Pressure Treated Wood posts and Galvanized Steel posts. We have quickly been going away from the wood option, and we will explain why below.
Wood posts are a traditional and popular choice for fencing, offering a natural and rustic aesthetic that blends seamlessly with the environment. In the Pacific Northwest, where forests are abundant, wood posts are often sourced locally, making them a sustainable choice. Unfortunately, they are NOT what they used to be. Due to environmental concerns the solution used to treat the posts has changed significantly and the performance is not the same. We have seen posts completely rotten within 1-2 years on fences we built.
1. Aesthetic Appeal: One of the primary reasons homeowners opt for wood posts is their natural and timeless look. They can be stained or painted to match the fence’s design and surroundings, enhancing the overall curb appeal of your property.
2. Local Sourcing: In an environmentally conscious region like the Pacific Northwest, using locally sourced wood posts can reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation.
3. Cost-Effective: In many cases, wood posts tend to be more budget-friendly compared to their steel counterparts. This can be particularly advantageous for large fence projects.
1. Durability: The most significant drawback of wood posts is their susceptibility to rot and decay. In the damp climate of the Pacific Northwest, untreated wood posts can deteriorate relatively quickly, in some cases even a year or two after install.
2. Maintenance: Wood posts require regular maintenance, including staining, sealing, and occasional repairs. This ongoing upkeep can be time-consuming and costly.
3. Vulnerability to Pests: Wood posts can attract pests like termites and carpenter ants, leading to further deterioration.
Steel posts, often galvanized to resist corrosion, are the most durable and long-lasting post on the market. They offer a sleek and modern appearance that can work well with a variety of fence designs. These are the last posts you will set. We prefer working with the “Postmaster” steel post brand. The heavy gauge steel and shape make it the strongest post on the market.
1. Durability: Galvanized steel posts are highly resistant to corrosion, making them ideal for the wet climate of the Pacific Northwest. They are not susceptible to rot or decay and can last for decades without significant maintenance. Even when the fence boards themselves go bad, you will be able to re use the posts in the future.
2. Zero Maintenance: Unlike wood posts, steel posts require no maintenance. Once installed.
3. Strength: Steel posts provide excellent structural support and can withstand significant pressure, making them suitable for taller or heavier fences. High winds don’t stand a chance against steel.
1. Cost: Steel posts are typically more expensive upfront than wood posts, which can be a deterrent for those on a tight budget. Approximately $14 for a wood post and $35 for a steel post.
2. Aesthetic Preferences: These posts can be covered with cedar so you don’t see any posts at all on your entire fence.
3. Environmental Impact: Steel production has a higher carbon footprint compared to wood. However, the long lifespan and minimal maintenance requirements of steel posts can offset this over time.
Due to the quality of wood decreasing and the limited lifespan we recommend using steel posts. It is always cheaper in the long run with a steel post as you will never have to replace rotten posts. Try out our Fence Calculator to get an instance fence estimate today!
In the great debate of pressure treated wood posts vs. steel posts, we can confidently tell you that galvanized hidden steel posts are the winner for fencing! These steel posts can be wrapped in wood to make them look just like a traditional wood 4×4 fence post. With the core being galvanized steel that resists rot, bugs, and decay these metal fence posts will last longer than the wood post alternatives. Hence, they are the best fence post for a wood fence.
Your fence sits out in the weather day in and day out. It gets baked in the sun all summer and it sits wet most of the winter. All of this weather is hard on fences in general, but it is particularly deteriorating on fence posts. The moisture levels over the months of winter and fall are rough on wood posts even if they are pressure treated. This moisture and also termites that it might attract are rough on these wood posts and make them weak and cause them to break. This is easily solved with steel fence posts and wood fence panels on your next privacy fence!
Are steel posts stronger than wood? Yes! Steel posts are not affected by weather, moisture, or termites, so its well respected that galvanized steel posts are more durable than pressure treated wood posts. A question some people ask is will the steel rust? We only install galvanized steel posts that are built to withstand corrosion and rust. Galvanized steel posts for the win for wood fences!
While the wood post option is initially slightly cheaper, in the long term the hidden metal posts are a much more cost effective option. Due to the durability of the steel posts, the lifespan of your fence will be a lot longer and your maintenance costs will be much less.
While the wood posts are pressure treated, they still rot and are effected by water and the elements. Ninety nine percent of the fences that we repair and replace are already on wood posts. Customers that made the investment in hidden steel posts years ago get to enjoy the lower maintenance and repair costs as their fences stand strong year after year even through winter storm seasons.
Many of our customers come to us wanting a wooden fence with steel posts but they are concerned that if they want steel posts, they will have to see the steel. We are always delighted to let them know that we offer a style of hidden steel posts where we wrap a 2 3/8 galvanized steel post in redwood giving it the look of a wood post, but the strength and durability of a steel posts. The objective is to give you the option to use either a wood post or a steel post but have the end product look like wooden fence posts!
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Now that we have been able to clarify the differences between hidden metal and wood posts for your fence, are you ready to get your fencing project started? Contact us today for a free estimate. Our team looks forward to the chance to impress you with our professional consultation and repair/replacement of your fence. We service the entire Sacramento, California region and have offices in Sacramento and Rocklin.