The Pros & Cons of Fence Posts

Concrete or Timber that is the question? To help our customers determine the best solution for their gardens we have compared the pros and cons of both plus added some information about DuraPost.

Most modern gardens these days will have wooden fences alongside wooden fence posts, as has become the norm for all new builds. But a lot of older homes will have concrete fence posts with wooden fences. Which could have easily rotted away over the past 20 years.

One of the key decisions you will need to make is timber, concrete, or DuraPost®. They all have their pros and all have some cons.

Our staff have helped our customers make the right choice many times over the years, so let’s see the pros and cons of each and explore a third option that perhaps you may not have even considered.

The Pros & Cons of Timber Fence Posts

Pros

Easy to install

When installing a new fence, the first step is always to make sure your fence posts are installed securely and correctly. Because if they are not straight or at different heights, then your fence isn’t going to look great.

Saying that timber fence posts are very easy to install, and we have a blog that simply explains how you can install yourtimber posts at home. But if you still feel you need extra help, Head over to our professional fitting page for advice.

One main reason why they are so easy to install compared to concrete is the weight. Concrete posts are so heavy. So having lighter wooden posts will make your life much easier, especially when it comes to installation.

Cost

One thing that is great about timber posts is the price. Especially these days when managing your budget while making home improvements having a low-cost solution is great.

Timber postsoffer a significant cost advantage over concrete posts, making them a much more attractive choice for those looking to save money. However, that does come with some problems, which you can find out later in the blog.

Design

The design of your timber posts is something a lot of people take into account when installing a new fence. As we mentioned earlier, newly built homes are seeing more timber posts with timber panels to keep the gardens cheap and aesthetically pleasing.

Timber posts always tend to look the same as they are cut-shaped and sold the same way.

Environmental

Our fence posts are produced from pre-treated timber, making them a heavy-duty product ideal for your garden fence. The timber is pre-treated to ensure the product is durable and weather-resistant with a rustic finish. This also makes our timber FSC certified, meaning that you know all our timber is environmentally safe and won't be harming the world or your garden.

Security

Your fence can also provide a great deterrent to unwanted visitors who want to get into your garden by removing unfixed fence panels. Having timber fence posts means you can screw your fence into the fence posts, stopping them from moving. Keeping unwanted visitors and your home safe.

Having your fence panels screwed to wooden fence posts rather than simply sitting between the slotted grooves of concrete posts is also great when the weather inevitably turns in the winter. Strong winds can blow your fence out of the grooves in the posts, which can further reduce the protection of your garden.

The Cons of Timber Fence Posts

Maintenance

When it comes to making your fence posts last a long time, timber can be the hardest to keep. We find that timber fence posts will begin to rot or weaken over time. However, this can be stopped with regular maintenance. But this does come with an added cost. Something you won't get with concrete.

Weather

We all know the UK isn’t great for the weather. Even in the height of summer weather such as rain, storms and winds can seriously damage your timber fencing and especially your fence posts.

Weather that blowing over your fence posts or water damage getting into the posts. The weather can have a massive effect on the longevity of your fence posts. The nicer the weather, the longer your fence posts will last.

Water can cause significant moisture damage and cause your timber fence to rot and become mouldy. Such conditions can also cause discolouration to your fence posts; however, over time it’s important to know that timber will discolour.

This damage, however, can be reduced by pressure-treating your wooden fence posts, as this will ensure your fence posts avoid such damage.

Pros of Concrete Fence Posts

Strong

One of the main advantages of concrete fence posts is that they are stronger than timber posts. This means you know that your fence is well-supported and will stand stronger in the harsh winter conditions we have.

The main reason concrete fence posts are so strong is due to the weight of the posts. They are much heavier than timber, allowing them to stand up stronger and higher, protecting more of your fence and your garden.

Low Maintenance

One of the main cons of timber fencing is the need for regular maintenance. Well, one pro about concrete fence posts is they don't need as much maintenance as timber. They are unlikely to be affected by water damage and can't be eaten by insects. This over time will allow you to save money on your fence posts in the long run.

The Cons of Concrete Fence Posts

Cost

Now, although we just said you will save money. In the long run, this is still 100% true. However, initially, the cost of concrete fence posts is slightly more. The main reason for this is the creation.

The materials are much harder to get hold of and need to be mixed to create the posts.

They also have to be moulded and cured; unlike timber posts, they can be cut and shaped much quicker than concrete. But in the long run, the cost will be kept down because of the low maintenance costs; you will just need to pay more initially for the posts.

Chips & Cracks

While your concrete fence posts are in good condition, they are much stronger than your timber posts, but over time water can begin to seep into small hairline cracks in the concrete.

Over time, the water in these cracks freezes and expands, making the cracks bigger and bigger.

DuraPost®

DuraPost® is far more than just a fence post system. With the introduction of the Composite Panel range, DuraPost® is now your one-stop shop for garden fencing.

DuraPost® offers great flexibility in garden design whilst keeping an authentic timber ‘feel’. They can be used to add an imposing vertical structure or installed horizontally—ideal in a smaller garden where the eye is led along a linear vanishing point to build the impression of space.

Style

Urban boundaries deserve sharp design and cutting-edge materials. With increasing social awareness amongst homeowners, they also need to be long-lasting, environmentally friendly, and low maintenance. The new range of Urban Slatted Panels from DuraPost® ticks all the boxes.

Colourful

Available in a range of colours and made from a blend of rice husk and recycled high-density polyethene (HDPE), these panels, consisting of 6 boards and 2 horizontal u-shaped rails, are environmentally conscious and sustainable future-proof examples of DuraPost®’s culture of innovation.

The composition of the panels also includes a UV stabiliser to minimise colour fade.

Sustainable

The new DuraPost® composite panels are made of 60–70% recycled material and are a durable blend of wood and plastic, which are available in 3 different colour options. Neutral, Brown, and Grey.

Due to the recycled content of this product, not only are the panels more durable than other fencing materials on the market, but they are also far more sustainable.

Cons

The main drawback of DuraPost® is the initial cost. While it's true that DuraPost® systems tend to be more expensive upfront, they come with a 25-year guarantee, which offers peace of mind.

Unlike wooden or concrete posts, which often require regular maintenance and occasional repairs, DuraPost® significantly reduces these ongoing costs.

So, even though you might spend more at the beginning, the long-term savings and durability make it a worthwhile investment for those looking to minimise future upkeep.

Are you still struggling to decide which fence post is for you? Well, if you’re still on the fence (no pun intended), we believe that DuraPost® is hard to beat.

The major advantages it brings to your garden not only in style but with durability and strength outweigh any of the other post options.

If you still can't decide or you have any questions about your garden, then please just get in touch; we are always happy to help with any questions.