Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 10, 2000 06:31pm | #1

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   Hi Martin, Several years back, I was contracted to install several privacy fences. If you are talking about a 6' privacy fence you can't beat galvanized 2-3/8" diameter steel posts. Installed properly they can outlast several picket and stringer installations without having to reinstall posts each time. They have a couple of different decorative caps that go on the top of the posts. Stringers are attached to metal brackets that are slid down the post and clamped at the proper height. If you're talking about a small decorative fence like a picket fence, in my opinion, PT will outlast cedar. I've seen several cedar posts wear thin at the groundline and then break off in high winds, but not so with PT. Another species that I would recommend even more than PT would be black locust rough cut at a saw mill; however availability would be limited to locale. Redwood isn't offered in my area unless special ordered, and with the cost being what it is, it's hardly ever requested. As for fasteners, I attach the stringers to the steel brackets with weatehr guard (galvanized) screws and then run a stringline from post to post and attach the pickets with plated rink shank nails shot with a coil nailer, or you could use galvanized screws. MDM.

2. 
   Carlos_ | Feb 10, 2000 07:03pm | #2

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   Mad Dog is right, galvanized steel posts will be a stronger installation. But, it leaves an ugly side where the stringers are clamped on. I prefer to build a hollow box out of PT 2x stock and slide it over the steel posts and then proceed with the installation. Doesn't matter if you don't care what the back side looks like (an alley for example), but I think its rude to give a neighbor an uglier fence than I give myself.

   Carlos

3. 
   Martin_Leung | Feb 13, 2000 01:38am | #3

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   We need new wooden fences in our back yard and would like to know the differences between using redwood and cedar. What's best for posts, redwood or pressure treated wood? How about fasteners?

4. 
   Guest_ | Feb 13, 2000 01:38am | #4

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   You might think about using one of the decay resistant oaks, white, burr, live. If you can find a local mill you can probably pick this wood up quite reasonably. Since these trees are not grown as a crop, you will have wood with tighter grain. The wood will age to a nice sliver grey, much like quality cedar. You can also paint or stain the oak too.

   A few weeks ago I had a fellow with a portable mill come in to mill up some logs. The oak will become a fence around my back yard this summer. The walnut will be used inside for some project and I even had an elm trunk that had started to spalt. That will make some really pretty cabinet fronts.

   Tom the Tree Guy