Height of wooden fence post above panels?

[JohnW2]

Hi folks - a quick question ...

I'm about to install a fence of 6' x 5' panels (plus 6" gravel boards) with wooden posts (with 'caps' on top). I really that it is primarily a matter of 'personal taste', but I'm wondering how high to have the posts above the tops of the panels - I was thinking of 'not much' (about 50mm, exluding cap), but wonder what is considered common/normal?

Kind Regards, John

 

[Scally-Ho]

If you are hoping for a fence with longevity, then concrete posts and gravel boards are the way to go. No capping needed and once in place the fence will last as long as you continue to treat the timber. I have extensive fencing around my property and its all-concrete posts and gravel boards with conventional vertical feather edge boarding panels.

 

[JohnW2]

If you are hoping for a fence with longevity, then concrete posts and gravel boards are the way to go. No capping needed and once in place the fence will last as long as you continue to treat the timber. I have extensive fencing around my property and its all-concrete posts and gravel boards with conventional vertical feather edge boarding panels.

Yes, I know all that (and that's how I've done it in my own garden), but am doing what I have been asked to do. One of the considerations is, I believe, that given the age of the owners of the property (neighbours/friends), even wooden posts are almost certainly going to outlive them!

... so, given that I'm going to be using wooden posts, do you have an answer to my question?

 

[simplesteve]

I made mine the ‘ height of my spirit level’, handy for scribing the line
Just measured it and it’s 50 mm, so you were spot on.
( and using a blob of ‘sticks like sh@t’ to stick the cap on saves any holes )

 

[aveatry]

I made mine the ‘ height of my spirit level’, handy for scribing the line
Just measured it and it’s 50 mm, so you were spot on.
( and using a blob of ‘sticks like sh@t’ to stick the cap on saves any holes )

Good tip with the sprit level - as you are using it anyway and sounds about right. Not sure how long the sticks like will last though.

 

[simplesteve]

I dunno how long it will last either ! But as it says it’s waterproof, and you can apply it under water ( apparently) it should surely stick 2 bits of wood together for eons ?

 

[Scally-Ho]

@JohnW2 Ah, so this is a work project for a wage. If I had known, I would not have bothered with my reply.
This is a DIY forum for armatures and not professionals seeking advice from other professionals either working or retired.

 

[JohnW2]

@JohnW2 Ah, so this is a work project for a wage.

Not at all. It is an unpaid favour for a close ('DIYer') friend, and my professional training and career is about as far from fencing as it could possibly be..

If I had known, I would not have bothered with my reply.

Thanks for welcoming me to this particular DIYnot forum (I think for the first time - my nearly 60k posts have all been elsewhere)

This is a DIY forum for armatures and not professionals seeking advice from other professionals either working or retired.

It is. Although I am person (rather than part of a motor ) an amateur is precisely what I am, and the reason I came for is as you suggest. Do you always 'assume the worst' about anyone who posts here?

 

[JohnW2]

I made mine the ‘ height of my spirit level’, handy for scribing the line
Just measured it and it’s 50 mm, so you were spot on.
( and using a blob of ‘sticks like sh@t’ to stick the cap on saves any holes )

Thanks for confirming, and for your tip!

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

I dunno how long it will last either ! But as it says it’s waterproof, and you can apply it under water ( apparently) it should surely stick 2 bits of wood together for eons ?

Quite possibly - and, in event, even if it doesn't last for long, one can then revert to 'Plan A' with a nail or screw.

 

[JohnD]

I tacked mine on with a few skew copper nails, having pilot drilled the caps because I think they would be very likely to split. They keep the rain out of the end grain of the posts which causes rot.

 

[aveatry]

Quite possibly - and, in event, even if it doesn't last for long, one can then revert to 'Plan A' with a nail or screw.

Yep, I am thinking more on the lines that frost and very cold temperatures will take affect more. A 2 inch flattop galvanised nail and done

 

[JohnW2]

@JohnW2 ...... This is a DIY forum for armatures and not professionals seeking advice from other professionals either working or retired.

Although I am person (rather than part of a motor ), an amateur is precisely what I am, and the reason I came for is as you suggest. Do you always 'assume the worst' about anyone who posts here?

I might have added .... in the 'Electrics UK' forum (in relation to which I'm also very much an 'amateur'), where most of my DIYnot activity happens, it's common for the professionals there to seek advice from other professionals (either working or retired), and no-one moans about that!