Jump To:
- Installation of Concrete vs. Wood Fence Posts
- Durability of Concrete vs. Wood Fence Posts
- Sustainability of Concrete vs. Wood Fence Posts
- Cost of Concrete vs. Wood Fence Posts
- Visual Aesthetics of Concrete vs. Wood Fence Posts
- Maintenance of Concrete vs. Wood Fence Posts
Fencing serves as a boundary line for your home and security against intruders. As you choose between concrete vs. wooden fence posts, think about the pros and cons of each one, considering factors such as installation, durability and cost. Explore the advantages of wooden fence posts vs. concrete to discover which one is better for your property.
Installation of Concrete vs. Wood Fence Posts
Since concrete fence posts are heavy, they tend to take longer and more effort to install than wood. When installing concrete fence posts, you’ll probably need two people or help from a professional to ensure safety and efficiency. You can install your concrete fence post by securing it into the ground with a cement foundation. You’d need to dig deep into the soil for a sturdy foundation and a tight fit. Make sure your concrete fence post is level before securing it to the ground.
On the other hand, wooden fence posts take less time to transport and install because they’re lighter than concrete. Even though you can technically do it yourself, you’ll probably want to ask someone else to help you. You may save money on installation with wooden fence posts instead of concrete fence posts.
Keep in mind that the installation process for wooden fence posts is less stable than concrete. The specific way to install your wooden fence posts depends on the type of wood species you choose and whether you get it treated.
Durability of Concrete vs. Wood Fence Posts
Concrete fence posts are sturdy, lasting about a couple of decades with minimal maintenance. Since they’re more stable than timber, you can be confident that your fence will maintain its integrity in the middle of a storm. They’re resistant to rot and insects, and they can withstand high wind speeds, especially in coastal areas. Even though they’re nearly indestructible, excess rain and moisture can cause concrete posts to crack and chip, allowing the wire reinforcements to become exposed and weakened.
Since the life span of concrete is longer than wooden fence posts, you can save money over time from future replacement costs. Wooden fence posts have varying life spans based on the type of wood used. When treated, wooden fence posts can last about a decade, but untreated posts last less than five years. Installers can screw fence panels into a wooden fence post, enhancing their security. Wood is also vulnerable to warping, rotting and splitting, especially when exposed to water, creating a safety hazard.
Sustainability of Concrete vs. Wood Fence Posts
Concrete fence posts emit carbon dioxide during the manufacturing process, reducing the quality of the surrounding environment. Concrete also consumes an excessive amount of water. It degrades exceptionally slowly but can sometimes be recycled into new concrete. If sustainability is a concern for you, you may want to consider a more eco-friendly option, such as wood fence posts.
Wood fence posts can meet specific certifications to account for their sustainability. FSC or PEFC certified products comply with sustainable forest management standards, protecting endangered species and limiting climate change effects. You can trust that wooden fence posts are generally eco-friendly, and many are recyclable.
Even though wooden fence posts are usually from sustainable sources, creating them involves cutting down trees, which releases carbon into the atmosphere. When you treat your timber fence posts, the treatment can harm nearby animals and plants. The chemicals that preserve the wood and protect the fence posts from insects and fungi can travel into the ground and harm the surrounding groundwater or soil.
Cost of Concrete vs. Wood Fence Posts
Concrete has a slightly more expensive upfront cost than wooden fence posts. Since concrete fence posts are more durable and require less maintenance than wooden ones, they may cost you less in the long run. When you purchase concrete posts, you’ll need to budget money for their material cost, transportation costs and installation costs.
Even though wooden fence posts are less expensive to buy, you may want to consider the long-term costs of this material. It’s tempting to go with a cheaper fence, but it may cost you more money over time. You’ll probably need to refinish your wooden fence every few years and replace it after several years, costing you more in material and installation costs than concrete fence posts would.
Visual Aesthetics of Concrete vs. Wood Fence Posts
Ultimately, your choice of aesthetics between concrete and wood fence posts depends on your personal preferences. A wooden fence post often has more aesthetic appeal than a concrete post and gives you more color and species options to go with your exterior property. Treated wooden fence posts are also resistant to chipping or cracking, giving them an advantage over concrete fence posts.
If you have a wooden fence, wooden fence posts seamlessly match your wood panels. Timber fence posts are usually the same color as the wood panels to give your fence a coherent design throughout. You can also install decorative fence post caps on your wooden fence posts.
Concrete fence posts maintain their integrity over time, but they can lose their aesthetic appeal when exposed to water. The metal reinforcement could get exposed after the concrete cracks, allowing them to rust. Concrete posts also tend to have an industrial look that may not be suitable for your home.
Maintenance of Concrete vs. Wood Fence Posts
Since concrete is durable and long-lasting, it’s easier to care for than wooden fence posts. After proper installation, concrete fence posts don’t need any special treatment as they protect your property. The only maintenance required is making sure water doesn’t get into the foundation, which could freeze and expand the post, loosening it from the ground.
On the other hand, wooden fence posts need special treatment every few years, depending on the wood species you use. You’ll have to maintain your wood fence posts in the same way you’d take care of the rest of your wooden fence. Most of the maintenance required involves protecting it from moisture, rot and insects.
Contact Nitterhouse Masonry for Concrete Fence Posts
Ultimately, the choice between concrete vs. wooden fence posts depends on your lifestyle. If you decide that the advantages of concrete fence posts outweigh those of wooden posts, you can browse our inventory to find what you need. Our team at Nitterhouse Masonry offers high-quality, low-maintenance concrete fence posts for your home. We’re a family-owned business and have been in operation for five generations, so you can trust in our customer service and solid reputation. Find a dealer near you or call 717-267-4500 for more information about our products.
