Building a Wood Fence with Metal Posts?

Do you know which part of your wood fence is most susceptible to rot and insect damage?  If you said the posts, congratulations, you're right.

Most wood posts rot from the ground surface down to the concrete plug, which makes perfect sense when you consider the fact that they sit in a dark, damp environment for years.  There are certain things you can do to extend the life of your wood posts like using loose gravel for drainage or putting some type of rubber sealant on; but, over time wood fence posts will rot. 

That's why one of the hot trends in fencing today is attaching steel posts to wood fencing instead of the traditional 4x4's or 6x6's.  2 3/8" galvanized steel posts are much stronger and more durable than treated wood.  Plus they won't rot, get insect damage or get damaged by the weed trimmer. 

Using metal fence brackets, you can install your wood fence with galvanized steel posts to avoid rot and insect damage.

Put up a Facade to Achieve an "All Wood" Look

One of the only drawbacks to using steel posts is that it takes away from the natural look of an all wood fence.  But, that is easily remedied by building a wood "facade" around the steel post with 2x4's.  In fact, the large Oz Post Brackets* are designed with extra long tabs which allow you to do exactly that.  And since none of your wood facade is below ground, the chances of it rotting are greatly diminished.

* Oz Post Brackets have been discontinued. Check out the replacement WAP-OZ brackets below, or view our entire selection of wood to steel post adapters here.

Build a wooden facade around metal posts to achieve an all wood look.

 If you want to build a wood fence that lasts, while minimizing your upkeep, consider using steel posts for installation.

 

WAP-OZ Wood to Steel Brackets make it easy to install a wood fence using steel posts.

Oz-Post Brackets - IS-FBL & IS-FBS Back In Stock

Note 8.2.2019 - Oz-Brackets have been replaced by the models below by OZCO Building Products. They are no longer available. If you are looking for a wood to steel post bracket, check out our brackets and post adapters at https://www.signetfence.com/fences/fence-brackets-post-adapters/ 

What are Oz-Brackets?

According to Oz-Post:

There is a growing trend in fence construction with the use of steel posts for wood fencing. This new trend is in response to the problem of sub-terrain rot and insect damage on traditional wooden posts. Many people enjoy the warm natural look of a wooden fence but would like it to last longer then 5-10 years. Above ground level many wood species will last a very long time with no significant maintenance. The problem with wood fence posts is at ground level excess moisture and insects thrive and the post weakens and the fence becomes unstable.

The easiest and most effective way to solve this problem is to use galvanized steel posts instead of wood posts for your wood fence. The IS-FBS is an easy to use bracket that provides an excellent steel to wood connection. This bracket is designed for use with standard 2 ⅜" OD steel tubing and includes all necessary hardware to attach it to the steel post and to the wood rail. One of the advantages of the Oz-Post bracket is that you can clip them on in the general location where you want them and then fine tune the location by sliding them up and down the post before you attach them with the self drilling screw. The IS-FBS uses a secure connection and does not rely on compression attachment like other inferior options.

What's The Difference Between Large and Small Fence Brackets
The IS-FBL, large fence bracket has large steel tabs that provide an easy way to create a wood facade around the steel post, creating the look of using 6x6 posts.



The IS-FBS, small fence bracket provides a standard steel post look.