What is the best price available for a fence post 8 foot above ground

QRTRHRS · Jul 21, 2013

Some of my fence is "stallion" heighth at 6 foot. I used 10 footers for the corners and brace posts set to 4 feet and 9 footers set to 3 feet for my line posts. Been awhile so I don't recally why the 10 footers were about 5-6 or 6-7 inches and the 9 footers were like 8-9. About killed me to set them.

Anyway, unless you have extremly rocky soil, 30-36 inches is not enough depth IMHO. Forget the cheapie 4x4's at HD and Lowe's. You need to find a yard that still carries post rated for below ground use. I guess I am lucky. I have a treatment plant about an hour drive. Good posts ain't cheap and cheap posts ain't good.

Midniteoyl · Jul 22, 2013

The Lowes 4x4 are below ground rated..

Brad_Blazer · Jul 22, 2013

Put in 6' or 8' 4x4s and scab on some $2 landscape timbers.

LD1 · Jul 22, 2013

T-posts. Especially used ones off craigslist, is going to be the cheapest.

Might not look the best, but what do you want, good looks or functionality, cause there is a BIG cost difference between the two

hunterridgefarm · Jul 22, 2013

I know this would be overkill. But last year I could buy good used phone/power poles for $1.00 foot. Check your area and see if you can find those.

EddieWalker · Jul 23, 2013

I would never, ever use a PT 3x4 post for a fence that was supported by other wood in the fence. They are terrible about twisting and bending. If you buy two of the, odds are that one, if not both, with bend on you in less then a year.

Pressure treated 2x lumber, like 2x4's and 2x6's only receive the minimal amount of treatment to protect the wood in "ABOVE GROUND" conditions. Laminating them together and putting them in the ground is not recommended because they will rot on you over a short amount of time. I know some pretty big name pole barn companies are doing this with their posts by laminating three PT 2x6's together to create their posts, but I don't know if they are using special treated boards that are not the same as what is sold at the lumber yards, or if they are just hoping for the best and for the roof to keep any moisture away from those posts so they last. Maybe both. I know it's faster and easier for them to laminate the boards together, but it's not something that I would ever do and highly discourage anybody else for doing.

For the best price on posts, you really need to shop around for treated round posts. Nothing is going to be cheaper, and they are treated for ground contact. I've found the price varies considerably from lumber yard to box store to feed supply and farm supply sources. For me, Atwoods is the cheapest by far for 4 to 6 inch posts, but them McCoys, a lumber yard, is cheaper for 8 to 10 inch posts.

You will have to special order them, but for what you get and how long they last, it's going to be very hard to beat 10 foot T posts for cost over anything else out there. Prices vary the same as round posts. You just need to go to each store and see what they want for them. Be sure to ask for a discount if you buy so many and see if they will offer free delivery while there. Usually all you have to do is ask and they give it.

Good luck,
Eddie

bcp · Jul 23, 2013

Years ago I read a book by a man living in the Idaho wilderness. He said deer looked at the highest point of a fence to judge it. His garden fence was about 4 feet high, with a 8ft stick in it every couple of feet. Deer didn't jump it.

Bruce

bcp · Jul 23, 2013

Another method is to make a light duty diagonal fence outside a 5-6ft garden fence. Deer don't jump the main fence because they don't have a good close place to jump from. I couldn't find a picture so I drew one.

Bruce

Midniteoyl · Jul 23, 2013

EddieWalker said:
I would never, ever use a PT 3x4 post for a fence that was supported by other wood in the fence. They are terrible about twisting and bending. If you buy two of the, odds are that one, if not both, with bend on you in less then a year.

Pressure treated 2x lumber, like 2x4's and 2x6's only receive the minimal amount of treatment to protect the wood in "ABOVE GROUND" conditions. Laminating them together and putting them in the ground is not recommended because they will rot on you over a short amount of time. I know some pretty big name pole barn companies are doing this with their posts by laminating three PT 2x6's together to create their posts, but I don't know if they are using special treated boards that are not the same as what is sold at the lumber yards, or if they are just hoping for the best and for the roof to keep any moisture away from those posts so they last. Maybe both. I know it's faster and easier for them to laminate the boards together, but it's not something that I would ever do and highly discourage anybody else for doing.

For the best price on posts, you really need to shop around for treated round posts. Nothing is going to be cheaper, and they are treated for ground contact. I've found the price varies considerably from lumber yard to box store to feed supply and farm supply sources. For me, Atwoods is the cheapest by far for 4 to 6 inch posts, but them McCoys, a lumber yard, is cheaper for 8 to 10 inch posts.

You will have to special order them, but for what you get and how long they last, it's going to be very hard to beat 10 foot T posts for cost over anything else out there. Prices vary the same as round posts. You just need to go to each store and see what they want for them. Be sure to ask for a discount if you buy so many and see if they will offer free delivery while there. Usually all you have to do is ask and they give it.

Good luck,
Eddie

ACQ Treated Lumber can be used in above ground, below ground and fresh water immersion applications. This allows the product to be used in residential, commercial, and industrial projects. Three levels of ACQ Treatment are produced:

0.25 for above ground use

0.40 for ground contact, fresh water applications

0.60 for permanent wood foundations, as well as poles for barn applications.

Its not simply 'faster' but is better as it considerably reduces that 'warping and bending' you were talking about.

I dont use 4x4's for decks, sunrooms, add-ons etc.. I use 3 2x4's (sometimes 2, depends). .40 works for decks and whatnot if your cheap and coat the wood.. .60 should be used for the piers though.