Setting Fence Posts – To Concrete, or Not to Concrete?

Setting the posts is usually the hardest part of putting up any kind of fence, whether the posts are wood or metal. Many posts need to be set in concrete to keep them secure and to stabilize the entire installation. It’s messy and time-consuming and can add to the cost of the fence. Is setting posts in concrete actually necessary, though? That depends on the type of fence you’re installing and how secure it needs to be. 

Wooden fence posts can many times be installed without being cemented if the soil has a high clay content and holds water, which causes it to expand and hold the posts tighter. This works especially well for driven posts, but can also work for carefully set dug posts. For greater stability in corners and where gates are mounted, or for installations that must endure extra loads like horse fencing, cementing the posts in can make the fence even more secure.

It is a different story with metal posts like those used for chain link fences, however. Because they are much smaller in diameter than the typical 4×4” or 6×6” wooden fence post, and smoother, with a diameter of only a few inches, there isn’t a lot to hold onto, even in clay soils. Metal pole posts are extremely strong on their own, making the perfect mount for durable chain link mesh, but with enough load on the fence itself, they can loosen in the ground, compromising the entire installation. 

The best recommendation for setting fence posts of any kind is to always secure all metal fenceline poles in cement, plus all wooden corner and gate posts as a minimum. Doing so creates a footer that prevents the post from rising out of the ground or leaning for any reason. It will keep the posts straight and straight in the ground, maintaining the tension on the fence and preventing it from sagging, keeping the whole installation secure. 

Once the poles and posts are appropriately set, the rest of the fence can be constructed using high-quality steel and aluminum fittings and parts made by Hearne Steel. Our premium quality fence hardware, combined with the correct installation process means you will have a strong fence that will stand the test of time without leaning or failing.