How tall should a fence post be for a 4 foot fence?

When figuring out what size T-post to use for a four-foot fence, remember that you will drive the posts about two feet into the ground. This means you need posts that are at least 24 inches longer than how tall you want your fence. For a four-foot fence, you should use T-posts that are at least six feet long.

How tall should fence posts be?

For an average fence post, about 6 to 8 feet tall, prepare to dig a post hole about 2 feet deep. To install a fence post, you'll need a shovel or post digger, a 6-foot level, soil, and gravel or crushed stone.

How far should a 4 foot post be in the ground?

The general rule of thumb when setting a post is that the depth of the post's hole needs to be one-third to one-half of the actual above-ground height of the post. So, a six-foot-high finished post ideally needs to be buried three feet into the ground.

What size of fence post do I need?

Calculate the post lengths

If you're setting wooden or concrete posts in concrete you'll need 8ft (2.4m) posts for a 6ft (1.828m) fence – i.e. your posts are 2ft (0.6m) longer than the fence height. Use 4in x 4in posts for fences of 5ft and over and 3in x 3in posts for anything under 5ft.

How tall is a 4x4 fence post?

Post lengths for fences start at 8 or 10 feet for a 6-foot-tall fence. They are commonly four-by-fours, which measure approximately 3 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches, or six-by-sixes, at around 5 1/2 by 5 1/2 inches.

How to Set and Plumb(Level) Fence Posts | Wood Fence

How much can a 4x4 post support vertically?

Used vertically as a post, an 8' 4×4 can support about 6,000 PSI before buckling, and even more if correctly braced.

How much concrete do I need for a 4 foot post hole?

For example, a 4″ post with a 12″ hole requires a 10″ depth and 2 X 50 lb bags of concrete. Add them together and you get 100 pounds of concrete.

Should I concrete my fence posts?

No, fence posts don't need to be set in concrete, and there are plenty of other ways to fix your posts if this feels a bit too permanent. If you are using wooden posts, concrete may actually be the worst option.

How big of a hole do you need for a 4x4 post?

The diameter of your post hole should be three times the diameter of your post. So, if you're planning on using a four-inch round or 4x4-inch square post, your post hole will need to be 12 inches in diameter. For a six-foot-high fence post, we would need a hole that's 36 inches deep and 12 inches in diameter.

What size posts do I need for a 6ft fence?

The general rule of thumb is that your fence posts needs to be two feet longer than the total height of your fence - including a gravel board, if you're using one. A 6ft fence requires an 8ft fence post.

Should wood fence posts be set in concrete?

First rule, gang: Do not set wooden posts in concrete. Look, no matter what preventative steps you take (and I'll get to those), eventually wooden posts rot, and eventually you'll have to set new ones. Not only does burying them in concrete make for more work down the line, it actually can speed up the rotting.

How many bags of concrete do you need for a fence post?

Most fence post holes will need between 1 - 4 bags of concrete to securely hold the post in place. The best way to determine the size of the hole is: Diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the fence post. Depth of the hole is one-third to half the above ground height of the fence post.

Is 8 inch hole big enough for fence post?

Therefore, the 4x4 post will likely fit into a hole drilled by a 6" diameter auger. However, this leaves less than 1/2" at the widest part for cement or dirt to be packed in to secure the post. For this reason, an 8"-10" auger would work much better and provide the necessary fill space for cement or tamping.

How long will a treated 4x4 post last in the ground?

A treated 4×4 will last 20 to 25 years in the ground if the conditions in the soil and climate are favorable. That number could increase to 40 to 75 years if you install the treated 4×4 in a cement ring rather than the soil. There are a few factors that influence how long the 4×4 can last in the ground.

Should you put gravel under fence post?

If a fence post fails without any sign of a pest infestation, it's likely that the failure was caused by moisture that rotted the wood over time. To help slow such deterioration, add pea gravel or crushed stone to the bottom of the posthole.

How long will a pressure treated post last in concrete?

A PT post will last a long time in concrete, maybe 5 to 10 years in soil alone. I suggest you embed the post in concrete, trowel a peak around the post so water runs off, and don't let the PT post come in contact with the ground.

What is the best cement for fence posts?

The best concrete mix for fence posts I've found is Quikrete Fast Setting Concrete Mix in a 50 lb bag. It's 4000 psi, easy to work with, sets up fast, and doesn't need to be mixed. Just pour it in the hole and soak with water.

How much weight can a 4x4x8 hold?

4×4 can hold up to 4,000 pounds when laying horizontally with the right support. Vertically, a 4×4 should support 4300 pounds but can hold significantly more.

Is a 4x4 stronger than a 2x6?

Unless you are supporting it with columns every 4', neither is strong enough to help much. A 2x6 has more vertical support than a 4x4. Is that correct? The 2x6 is stronger than the 4x4 when it comes to vertical loads.

Do I need 4x4 or 6x6 posts?

Deck posts must be a minimum of 4×4 according to the IRC but many jurisdictions require a 6×6 post as a standard. To avoid code violations, many deck builders choose the 6×6 even if the 4×4 is acceptable.