Fence Post Spikes Vs Concrete

The e z base e z mender and e z spike offer simple solutions for all types of fence post projects.

Fence post spikes vs concrete.

Metal spikes are available in different sizes suitable for different heights of fence. The fpbs44 allows easy installation of 4x4 wood posts without digging holes or pouring concrete. According to my husband who actually built the fence it was easier to build the fence on the concrete post side than it was on the spike side. Typically a concrete post for a 1 8m high fence is twice the safe weight for one person to lift.

A 750mm 30 inch spike is suitable to support a fence which is 1 8m 6 feet high. The average concrete fence post weighs circa 40kg. I won t even pour concrete walkways without a sono every five feet and then we run 1 2 rebar up and through the whole walkway. I don t yet have either a post hole digger or some gravel and post fix for digging.

A sledgehammer is required to drive the spike into position. Haven t touched my fence for about 12 years since we did concrete posts plus concrete panel about 30cm high to keep the woodern panel off the ground. I have read the two previous posts and agree with them in normal circumstances. Wooden posts do not weigh as much as concrete posts so they are not as difficult to install.

Given the cost of these items still yet to be sourced i wondered if it would be easier cheaper to use metal spikes for the posts instead. Simpson strong tie offers a line of products designed to help make reinforcing fence posts easy and economical. Since fence post spikes are topped with a box that secures the base of the fence post just above the ground you instantly cut the odds of having rot problems. Another consideration is frost heaving.

Concrete in fence post holders are designed for use where soil conditions are unsuitable for drive in spikes. The bare adapter should not heave but the combined concrete adapter might unless the pour goes below the frost line. Don t forget to check it is level before allowing the concrete to go off. I plan to fit a new fence on my front garden.

The main con is that since its designed to be driven down the tapered tip will offer less torque even set in concrete than a post set to a similar depth. The shoe should be set into a 450mm 18 inch cube of concrete so that the base plate sits flush with the surface of the concrete. The main reason for this is because the posts were all level.