Are There Metal Posts for Wood Fences?

About Steel Fence Posts

• Steel fence posts are available in a range of sizes and shapes but should be made with galvanized steel. Steel on its own rusts over time, particularly if it is subjected to moisture. This is why it is treated with a zinc coating during the galvanization process. The more zinc that is coating the steel, the better it resists corrosion. Steel post thicknesses also vary, but typically for a standard wood privacy fence, you’ll require 15-gauge steel. The higher the gauge, the thicker the steel and the better support it provides. Thicker steel posts can be installed further apart than thinner steel posts, but the size post you require depends on the size of the fence and where it is located. For example, a 6-foot fence located against a wall or along shrub rows can use steel posts that are 15 gauges placed about 6 feet apart. A larger fence placed in an open area, such as along the street, requires a thicker gauge of steel placed closer together.

Steel Posts vs. Wood Posts

• Wood posts have long been used with wood fence systems because they don’t take away from the aesthetic appeal as steel posts can, and they’re often the most economical fence posts. But wood posts rot over time, and moisture, wind and extreme temperatures can cause them to warp, fade or twist. This can affect the structural integrity of your fence, and the posts have to be replaced to repair the damage. Steel posts do not rot, warp or twist due to the elements. Your fence remains sturdy and strong with little maintenance. Although they often cost more than wooden fence posts, you’re saving money in the long-term because you aren’t paying to replace them as often.

Round Steel Posts

• Round steel posts are a common type of steel post and are used with most fencing materials. These posts are typically 2 3/8 inches in diameter if supporting a simple privacy fence, but the steel thickness of round fence posts installed with a wooden fence must be thicker than those you’d use for a chain-link fence because the fence must withstand wind pressure. For this reason, 20-weight steel posts are used. Special brackets are used to attach the round post to the fence boards, and the tops are capped with steel post caps to prevent moisture from corroding the inside of the post.

Hat-Channel or Hidden Steel Posts

• Hat-channel posts are designed in a "U" shape and have flanges that extend on each side, which makes them resemble a top hat. These posts don’t require special brackets and can be hidden by a cover board made of wood, making it more aesthetically appealing than a round steel post. However, hat-channel or hidden posts can twist if the thickness of steel is not suited to the size of the fence or the strength of winds it is subjected to. The flanges on most hat-channel posts are about an inch wide, which leaves little contact area for your fasteners, but it is possible to buy hat-channel or hidden posts with a wider flange.