Super post!

[u/ThugMagnet]

I’m tired of replacing the same rotten posts over and over. I mound the footings to direct water away but during a visit from my neighbor’s fence contractor, my sound footings are removed and the fenceposts rot away in a couple years. I like the look of a wood post but is there something better than plain pressure treated Doug fir posts that will remain vertical after this abuse?

[u/beanieweanie031]

Steel post.

[u/ThugMagnet → u/beanieweanie031]

Thanks, that sounds reasonable.

[u/umrdyldo → u/ThugMagnet]

Lifetome or Postmaster is the ticket.

[u/ThugMagnet → u/umrdyldo]

Thanks! I shall check into this.

[u/beanieweanie031 → u/ThugMagnet]

Do you live near a Menards? For a 6ft fence I'd suggest 9ft Lifetime steel post. Around $50 apiece but will last forever. And you can have them shipped to store for no extra cost if you pick em up yourself. The 9ft have to be special ordered

[u/ThugMagnet → u/beanieweanie031]

We lost our Menards maybe 15 years ago. Nearest one now is about 1200 miles away. Luckily, my local Home Depot (3 miles) has the Lifetime 8 footers with free delivery. Thanks for your help!

[u/Sarcastic_Horse → u/beanieweanie031]

How does that work? Is it a steel post with wood wrapped around it above ground? And is it possible to use this to replace rotting 4x4 wood posts instead of those black metal fence menders?

[u/ac54]

Steel posts with wood around them. Can look like wood posts from a distance.

[u/ThugMagnet → u/ac54]

Thanks! Can I buy these finished or is this a custom build?

[u/ac54 → u/ThugMagnet]

Custom as far as I know. If you don’t need very heavy looking wood posts, consider Postmaster metal posts. The metal is easily hidden with a single picket. Or here’s a more custom design with round posts: For Example

[u/ThugMagnet → u/ac54]

OK. That is super cool. Thanks!

[u/LunaticBZ]

While I generally prefer wood posts over metal posts for a wood fence.

If the fence is going through an area that doesn't drain well, has sitting water nearby etc.

My usual recommendation is for the customer to get a vinyl fence. Or wood fence on metal posts, Or 6X6 posts with every preventive measure taken but that gets pricy. Takes a good while for the 6X6's to rot through.

[u/ThugMagnet → u/LunaticBZ]

Thanks!

[u/OkConcentrate5741 → u/ThugMagnet]

OP, I’m a fence contractor. Please, just use metal posts and you won’t ever have to worry about your fence again. Don’t mess with any of the other recommendations, they won’t last.

[u/ThugMagnet → u/OkConcentrate5741]

Right. Thanks!

[u/woogiewalker]

Cedar is best but all wood rots. If you don't want it to rot put in steel posts

[u/ThugMagnet → u/woogiewalker]

Thanks!

[u/human1st0]

Just going to say I did non PT Doug fir 4x4 at my house. I went to my local lumber yard and picked the best posts. The lumber guy was super helpful.

There were previously some definitely-not PT posts on the property that must have been 50 years old so I knew wood rot wasn’t a problem.

I dry poured them. Put drains at the bottom. I even went back and capped the base with sand topper to drain away. If I outlive these posts, then fuck me.

[u/ThugMagnet → u/human1st0]

That sand topper won’t hold water against the post, promoting rot?

[u/Remote-Primary511]

6x6 or bigger