wood fence post size - bigger is better?
 

I asked several contractor to bid on replacing a section of wood fence.
Most use the same size fence pressure treated post 4x4, which actually
measured 3.5x3.5 inch.

However, one of them says they use a 4.125 x 4.125 size post. I've never
seen this size before. Is it better than 3.5x3.5 or do you think the
contractor just happened to have a cheaper source for this size post?

"peter" wrote:
I asked several contractor to bid on replacing a section of wood fence.
Most use the same size fence pressure treated post 4x4, which actually
measured 3.5x3.5 inch.

However, one of them says they use a 4.125 x 4.125 size post. I've never
seen this size before. Is it better than 3.5x3.5 or do you think the
contractor just happened to have a cheaper source for this size post?

Hi Peter, what is the length? And the cost difference? Upon inspection are
you happy with one over the other? Myself I prefer 8' PT land scape timber
for posts. Usually on sale at Menard's or Lowe's at $3.00 each.

(still have to paint them though...)

:-)

best.

My PVC fence has 5X5 posts. Although its PVC, I guess it does make the
fennce more sturdy.
I would go with the 4.125 posts.

On Sun, 10 Jul 2005 05:47:57 GMT, "peter"
scribbled this interesting note:

I asked several contractor to bid on replacing a section of wood fence.
Most use the same size fence pressure treated post 4x4, which actually
measured 3.5x3.5 inch.

However, one of them says they use a 4.125 x 4.125 size post. I've never
seen this size before. Is it better than 3.5x3.5 or do you think the
contractor just happened to have a cheaper source for this size post?


To my mind, the actual post used is more important than one that would
be just slightly larger.

Pressure Treated posts that are not center cut tend to warp and twist.
Think about it, in this application, what would be most important, a
post that stays straight and true, or one that has a larger load
bearing capacity? The larger wood post isn't necessary since all it
really has to do is hold the fence upright. Yes, I know when the wind
blows, fences sometimes blow down, but that is usually due to rotten
posts or thin walled metal posts.

In short, go with the better contractor. Stress you want center cut
posts so they will stay straight. That extra .625" isn't as important
as workmanship.


--
John Willis

(Remove the Primes before e-mailing me)

peter wrote:
I asked several contractor to bid on replacing a section of wood fence.
Most use the same size fence pressure treated post 4x4, which actually
measured 3.5x3.5 inch.

However, one of them says they use a 4.125 x 4.125 size post. I've never
seen this size before. Is it better than 3.5x3.5 or do you think the
contractor just happened to have a cheaper source for this size post?

Since that size is not a standard lumber size, I suspect he is using
rough cut, i.e., not planed. Nothing wrong with that if he is and as
long as it is pressure treated. The rough surface would be a problem
with painting but might add a bit of achitectual interest. For sure
look at a sample of his posts before you sign a contract.

Harry K

. wrote:

Myself I prefer 8' PT land scape timber for posts. Usually on sale at
Menard's or Lowe's at $3.00 each.

(still have to paint them though...)

Very bad idea!! They are not treated for in-ground usage and will rot
out in a few years. I know from experience - had to replace all my
fence posts just because I tried to save a few bucks.

Bob S.

Bob S. wrote:
. wrote:

Myself I prefer 8' PT land scape timber for posts. Usually on sale at
Menard's or Lowe's at $3.00 each.

(still have to paint them though...)

Very bad idea!! They are not treated for in-ground usage and will rot
out in a few years. I know from experience - had to replace all my
fence posts just because I tried to save a few bucks.

Bob S.

True. Landscape timbers are made from peeler cores, the center of
pine/fir/spruce trees. About the poorest quality wood you could find.
Not the type of wood but the fact is is taken from the center of old
trees - the poorest part of the tree.

Harry K

"Harry K" wrote:
Bob S. wrote:
. wrote:

Myself I prefer 8' PT land scape timber for posts. Usually on sale at
Menard's or Lowe's at $3.00 each.

(still have to paint them though...)

Very bad idea!! They are not treated for in-ground usage and will rot
out in a few years. I know from experience - had to replace all my
fence posts just because I tried to save a few bucks.

Bob S.

True. Landscape timbers are made from peeler cores, the center of
pine/fir/spruce trees. About the poorest quality wood you could find.
Not the type of wood but the fact is is taken from the center of old
trees - the poorest part of the tree.

Well, maybe you are right there, but it works for me. I could have got the
untreated pine landscape timbers for about 1.79 each but I decided on the
pressure treated quality seal in ground rated at $3.00 each. About "save a
few bucks.." yah, I guess so. My South line is some 200+ feet, the West
another 185 here I spaced the 50 some 5"x6"x8' pt landscape timbers some
10-12 feet (varied) apart two feet deep (rented an auger) 3 10-12' 2x4's
top, center and bottom between the timber's. Visited a local Lebeda
Mattress Factory Outlet and tore down their throw away pallets for the
1"x3"x6'boards, used maybe 40-50 of these 'FREE' boards in each 10-12'
section spaced about 1/2-3/4 apart using hammer and nails. Put my air
compressor from garage in pick-up and spray painted both sides. Left the
existing woven wire fence on the North 257 and East 348. The reason for
this is lunatic neighbor to the South and West doesn't practice proper
animal husbandry and her herd of 2500lbs. bull's have grown to about fifty
(50)in number. Actually it's a local joke that each Heifer has it's own
husband. But it's no joke when one Heifer goes into heat and the Bull gang
gang's up on her. Or when a couple bulls start fighting (especially at
night when you can't see where they are coming from) they tend to mow
everything in their path down. At first I had to at least pull my toddler
out of harms way once. The big fence went up in a weeks time. High winds,
bull attacks, five years later still standing as good as the day it was
finished. Low cost, no sign of rot yet. Better actually as my family, home
and yard is afforded protection. I used the money saved on my child's
education and recreation for him. And pretty soon him and i will either
replace it or whitewash, whatever. Yah, you may be right, might not be for
everybody, but it works for me.
2-bizzy
(but enjoying the cool weather brought on by the Hurricane Dennis)


Harry K

"Bob S." wrote:

Very bad idea!! They are not treated for in-ground usage and will rot
out in a few years. I know from experience - had to replace all my
fence posts just because I tried to save a few bucks.

Replacement sure sounds like a lot of hard work and x-tra expense. I think
in my case with our 6 ft. high privacy fence I would just reinforce the
existing posts with driven steel posts and save the sections. I suppose if
a 'coyote' fence it would be OK though. ;-)

2_biz


Bob S.