What are fence post caps?
Fence post caps are literally the finishing touch to a fence post! They are made from the same material as the fence post itself and fit snugly on the top of it. Beyond being an attractive addition to a fence however, a fence post cap serves other purposes but are often overlooked by fencers and homeowners.
Are fence post caps necessary?
The short answer to this question is no, fence post caps are not essential. However, they are recommended not just to add an attractive aesthetic to your new fence but also to prolong the lifespan of your fence posts.
The benefits of fence post caps
As well as adding the perfect finishing touch to your fence, fence post caps offer the following benefits:
Fence post caps help to extend the life of your post
The sawn end of a fence post is the vulnerable part of the post as it is exposed, and therefore prone to water penetration from wet weather. This in turn can lead to mould and mildew becoming established in the post, which will eventually lead to rotting. Similarly, the post ends are equally exposed to the opposite effect of other elements such as wind and UV damage, which can dry out the timber, causing it to crack.
Fence post caps reduce damage from birds and wildlife
The flat end of a fence post is the perfect resting spot for birds and squirrels coming into the garden. From this perch, they can wreak havoc to your posts through scratching and messing, but with a shaped post cap, they are less likely to stay for long as it is much more uncomfortable for them to settle on for long.
Fence post caps can protect against splintering
For anyone who has ever caught themselves on a splintered fence, the risk of injury is real. By protecting the post against drying out, the caps will reduce the chance of the dry wood splintering and causing injury. Where splintering has started to appear, a fence post cap can cover the rough edges of the post, offering protection to you and the local wildlife.
Types of post caps for fences
At Witham timber, we offer a choice of timber post caps and decorative finials. Post caps add an attractive finish to fencing, and are a cost effective way to protect the post from weather damage. However, their flat surface may still attract wildlife so, to avoid this, our attractive timber finials are an alternative solution and are available as a ball and cap or an acorn and cap. For our eco-fencing, we also offer classic post caps in colours to match the eco posts, for a perfectly coordinated finish.
Ultimately, prevention is always better than cure and it is far easier to protect a fence post with a cap than to have to replace the post every few years. For further help or advice about any of our fencing ranges, please contact our expert sales team by email at sales@withamtimber.co.uk or by phone on 01205 359188, who will be happy to help.