Deciding to put up a new fence on your property not only means selecting a practical fence style, you’ll also need to determine what to use for the foundation. The two most popular post materials used to construct a wire fence are treated wood and steel t-posts. Many times, property owners choose to use a combination of these materials.
Tension from a properly installed fence should fall to the ends of the enclosure. Therefore, the corners and braces should be built with heavy-duty wooden posts to withstand the pressure exerted by the pull of the wire. Solid wood posts are recommended for corner bracing and for intermittent support. However, the majority of fence posts could be steel t-posts. For most wire fencing, using steel t-posts along the perimeter is an excellent choice. This low-cost alternative provides superior strength and durability. Plus, t-posts are much easier to install than wood posts.
There are two popular weights, or strengths, of t-posts on the market. Choosing the proper post depends on the size of your enclosure, the type of wire fencing being installed, the spacing between posts, and the expected animal pressure against the completed fence. T-posts are made of high-quality steel that holds up to pressure and the environment. The strength of a t-post is rated by the amount of steel per foot. Regular t-posts are used for most applications, and typically weigh about 1.25 pounds per foot. Heavy-duty t-posts weigh around 1.33 pounds per foot and are generally used for high-pressure situations. For longevity, all t-posts are treated to prevent rust with either a coating of paint or galvanization for years of service.
T-posts are available in a variety of heights. When it comes to selecting the proper t-post for your project, choose a post that is 24″-36″ taller than your finished fence. That’s because the post will need to be buried at least 2′-2-1/2′ feet deep to prevent weather changes or determined animals from pulling them out.
Studded t-posts feature bumps, or studs, on one side of the post. These are designed to securely fasten the wire fencing to the posts to prevent the wire from slipping or pulling away.
Before installation of t-posts begins, be sure to have the proper tools and materials:
The typical spacing of posts is between 8′ and 12′. The distance should be determined by the type of fence and the amount of support that the fence needs in order to stay taught. Animal pressure and weather conditions are serious considerations when it comes to how much reinforcement is needed. Red Brand provides spacing guidelines here.
Measure and lay out the posts before you begin installation. This will assure that the posts are properly spaced. Typically, a 5 to 1 ratio of steel t-posts to treated wood posts is recommended for superior stability. Keep in mind that for barbed wire, fence stays can help prevent excess movement between strands. And, for woven fence, the closer the posts are to each other, the stronger the enclosure. Assessing the behavior of the animals you are protecting will help determine how much support you need to keep them safe. A docile herd of cattle won’t challenge a fence the same way a rambunctious stallion will.
The studs of the posts all need to face the same direction, as they provide a place for the clips to be secured and prevent the wire from slipping downward after installation. Determine if you are keeping animals in or predators out. The side of the fence that will endure the most pressure should be the side that the post studs face. When the fencing is challenged, the posts will help hold the wire in place, instead of allowing the wire to push away from the supports.
The flare, or faceplate, at the bottom of the t-post should be set perpendicular to the enclosure and completely buried during installation. The posts need to be deep enough to remain in place during weather changes and to provide stability from animal pressure. Be sure to keep the posts straight as you drive them into the ground. Once the plate is secured in the soil, it shouldn’t be a problem to keep them aligned.
When it’s time to secure the fence with wire clips, follow these tips:
Building a fence with t posts, along with regular check-ups and routine maintenance will result in a safe, secure, and long-lasting enclosure for your animals.
For more information on fence installations, go to Red Brand’s extensive video library for tips, tricks and advice. You can also ask your local Red Brand dealer for help with proper selection of fencing and materials.
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If you’re new to agricultural fencing, it’s possible that you’ve never heard the term “T-post” before. But, t-posts are a very important part of fencing for livestock, crops, and more.
A t-post is a metal post with an anchor built into the bottom. This anchor keeps the post buried securely in the ground so it can support wire fencing and keep the fence taught along the fence line.
T-posts are very popular, as they are affordable and very effective. However, they are only effective if you choose the right size for your fencing project.
Firstly, let’s establish one simple rule: your t-posts should be about two feet longer than the height of your fence. This is why t-posts are typically sold at lengths between 5 and 10 feet. A tall t-post (for example, one that is seven or eight feet) can be very useful if you want to have a particularly tall fence that your animals can’t jump over.
Maybe you aren’t worried about your animals jumping the fence. Instead, your greater concern is that they might wander onto a neighbor’s property, or that local kids might try to get into their enclosure. In this case, a shorter fence can serve your purposes just fine — and that means you’ll be able to benefit from a shorter t-post to go along with it.
Most commonly, t-posts come in two weights: 1.25 and 1.33 pounds per foot. For most applications, a t-post weighing 1.25 pounds per foot is ideal. When looking for something to withstand high-pressure, it’s best to use a 1.33 pound per foot t-post.
There’s one big question you need to ask yourself before you pick a t-post for your fence: what purpose will the fence serve? The primary purpose of a fence is to keep animals in or out. However, there are different purposes for different types of fences on a farm.
For example, horse fencing needs to be tall enough to prevent horses from jumping over it, climbing it, or mowing it down with a good canter. Cattle fencing should also be tall, as well as strong enough to withstand leaning or chewing on the wires, while hog fencing should be a bit lower to the ground to prevent the pigs from digging or rooting under the fence line. Once you determine the purpose your fence will serve, you can figure out the size you’ll need for your t-posts.
Finding t-posts in the correct size is only the first challenge you’ll face in your fencing project. You also need to install the posts correctly if they’re going to give your fence enough support. Luckily, installing fence posts is a fairly simple job. If you have the right tools and enough hands, you can do it on your own.
To install t-posts, you’ll need:
You will also need wooden corner posts to install your fence completely, but here we’re going to focus solely on installing your t-posts (to learn about installing your wooden posts, check out this blog).
The tools you’ll need to install your t-posts are the following:
Once you have all the materials and tools you need for your fence installation project, go out to your fence site and follow these steps:
Just like that, you have a durable wire fence that’s secure and sturdy for years to come.
Whether you’re brand new to farm and animal fencing or if you’ve been working in agriculture your whole life, Red Brand has the tools, materials, and tips you need for success on your property. Check out our website today to see how we can help you!
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