Today, the different types of fences available to the homeowner are as varied as the homes they surround and the gardens they enclose. At Witham Timber, we offer a choice of wooden fence posts, concrete fence posts, composite fence posts, and Durapost fencing posts.
The pros and cons of wooden fence posts
Aesthetically, timber fence posts offer the most natural look for any outdoor space, working with timber fence panels to give a cohesive and coordinated appearance. From a price perspective, timber posts are cost effective at point of purchase and also when it comes to installation by a professional, as they can be easily installed by just one person.
With regular, ongoing maintenance, a wooden fence post can be expected to last for ten years. However, timber will deteriorate and overtime may split or break and become less stable in the ground. There are remedial steps that can be taken to prolong the life of a wooden fence post before deciding to replace them, including How to reinforce wooden fence posts and using bolt down supports and fence post support spikes to strengthen posts.
Our timber fence posts are pressure treated for longevity and manufactured from sustainably sourced materials. We offer sawn posts, and planed posts with a choice of topping. Decorative finials and fence post caps are also available.
The pros and cons of concrete fence posts
Completely impervious to damp and insect infestation, concrete fence posts can last a lifetime without having to be replaced. Requiring no ongoing maintenance beyond a regular wash with soapy water, concrete fence posts are the perfect solution for exposed areas or anywhere that experiences strong winds.
Concrete fence posts are versatile and are offered as slotted concrete fence posts, recessed concrete fence posts, and concrete corner posts. They can be used with timber rails and timber fence panels and either timber or concrete gravel boards.
With a higher price point than timber fence posts, concrete posts will also likely be more expensive to install – their weight means they need two men to manoeuvre them safely. Accurate installation is also required as, once in place, the posts can be difficult to reposition.
Environmentally, concrete fence posts are not sustainable – concrete production produces up to 8% of global CO2 emissions, and uses 10% of global industrial water consumption.
The pros and cons of eco fencing panels
Eco-friendly fencing often refers to composite fencing which is a blend of PVC-u and wood fibre, manufactured from 75% recycled materials. The environmentally-friendly alternative to concrete fence posts, composite has the appearance of timber with added strength and durability. Composite fence posts can be easily cut to size with a handsaw and are suitable for installation on solid concrete bases or into soft foundations.
Offering flexibility too, composite fencing uses only one type of fence post (unlike concrete), which can be used in any position They can be used with composite fence panels or timber fence panels, while eco fence panels can be used with existing concrete posts.
While many believe eco fencing to be expensive when the lack of maintenance and upkeep is factored in, there is a negligible difference between composite fencing and timber fencing.
The pros and cons of Durapost fence posts
The new kid on the block in terms of fencing solutions, Durapost fencing is manufactured from galvanised steel, and was developed as a problem-free, lightweight alternative to wood and concrete. The fence posts feature an innovate ‘H’ design which enables them to be used with traditional timber fence panels, closeboard or feather edge panels as well as the Durapost range of composite panels.
Carrying a 25-year guarantee, the fence posts are completely maintenance-free and sustainable – at the end of their working life, they are 100% recyclable, and they will require no painting, staining or sealing throughout.
Fence posts from Witham Timber
If you would like to discuss the relative merits of our range of fence posts, and which will suit your needs, please give our experienced sales team a call on 01205 359188 or drop us an email to sales@withamtimber.co.uk