Fence Post Spacing - A step-by-step guide

Fence Post Spacing

A step-by-step guide

Do you have a fence installation project at hand? If you&#;re already thinking about your gate posts, end post, deciding whether to use wooden posts or steel&#; you might feel overwhelmed already!

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When planning to build a fence, it is important to take into account the correct spacing and depth of fence posts.

Plan ahead to determine fence post spacing for a long-lasting installation

So, how far apart should fence posts be? The standard spacing for fence posts is 8 to 25 feet apart, depending on the type of fence. A standard wood fence would require posts 8 feet apart, while a high-tensile wire could span 25 feet.

Keep in mind, terrain, climate conditions, snow and ice loads, and soil conditions are also factors that need to be considered.

How to identify what fence you need

Identify a fence according to your project before thinking about post spacing.

What type of project do you have at hand? You could be laying out a fence for crop protection, perimeter control, livestock or wildlife containment or exclusion.

Taking into consideration the nature of your needs will help you first determine the type of fence required to complete a successful project.

Discover all the fencing options STAY-TUFF has for you

STAY-TUFF has options that offer durability, integrity and performance you won&#;t find anywhere else.

Our fencing solutions come in different heights, and are suitable for home projects, as well as commercial or industrial applications.

How to lay out a fence for your needs

Before starting any project&#;

• Check property lines!
  It is important that you verify and have the utmost certainty before setting brace and line posts. This will save you time and trouble!
• Call Before You Dig
  Always call before you start any fence construction to make sure the area is clear of hidden obstacles and dangers like buried power lines, water lines, gas lines, etc.
  Different parts of the country have different numbers and places to call.
  

STARTING A PROJECT

You should always sketch a map of your property that includes property lines, underground utilities, natural obstacles and other important features before installing the fence or any fence posts, for that matter.

After you have finished your sketch, map all the fence support elements, which include:

Make a sketch of where the ground your fence will be installed

• Brace posts &#; Designed to anchor a fence and support its weight
• Line posts &#; Provide support along the length of the fence
• T-Posts &#; Hold the fence in a vertical position
• Boss posts &#; Also hold the fence vertical, and provide extra support along the fence where there are severe dips, hips and ledges in the fence line

How to select posts

Let&#;s dig a bit deeper into the subject of posts.

Here&#;s what you need to know about the difference between them:

Selecting the correct type of fence post is fundamental for a successful fencing project

Brace posts

Brace posts give stability to your structure.

A brace is required every time your fence stops, starts or changes directions, regardless of the length of its run.

These posts are what keeps the fence tensioned and help it support its weight.

They are composed of the following:

• End posts &#; The anchors of the fence. Wire is attached at the beginning and end of each straight run
• Brace posts &#; Hold end post in place, along with cross members.
• Cross members &#; They connect end & brace posts, allowing them to distribute the force of the fence.
• Brace wires &#; They transfer the force between the posts of the brace

T-POSTS & bosses

For a STAY-TUFF Fence, post spacing for T-Posts and Boss Post varies between 8&#; to 25&#;, taking into consideration terrain, soil (light soil will require less distance between posts), turns in the fence line, and animal pressure (place them closer in high animal pressure applications).

Are you interested in learning more about Cattle Fence Panel? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Related links:
How Perforated Metal Fence Panels Elevate Outdoor Design STAY-TUFF allows the use of less line posts with greater strength than other fences

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STAY-TUFF offers a wide range of products, offering you the option to use less posts, which in turn will save money and labor, while investing in a good-quality fence wire that will last for generations.

Post spacing

The setting of your posts needs to be done correctly because it affects the performance, durability, and longevity of the fence.

If fence posts are too close together, the fence could be too ridged and not allow the wire to have the flex and give to absorb an impact.

On the other hand, spacing posts too far apart is detrimental to the life expectancy of fence structures, due to the loads placed on the fence during climate changes, weather events and from animal pressure.

Fence post spacing is made easy with STAY-TUFF

Fastening wires

STAY-TUFF also has the tools to install, fasten and splice fence wire &#; all steps which are needed to complete an installation project.

We carry the tools you need for every step of posts & wire installation.

We&#;re glad to connect you with an authorized distributor! Visit https://staytuff.com/store-locator/ to learn more. 

Selecting the right material and post spacing for your fence is almost as important as choosing the proper fence style. Check out our blog &#;The Right Post: The Foundation for a Solid, Long-Lasting Fence&#; to learn more about post possibilities. Remember, the proper combination of brace and line posts is an essential component for a fence&#;s durability and longevity. Once you have the right posts, it&#;s time to space them properly. So, how far apart should line posts be set?

The Quick Answer

Most fence posts can be spaced 8 to 12 feet apart. While this is a general criteria, it doesn&#;t cover all scenarios. For instance, high tensile fence can have larger spacing, requiring line posts every 15 to 20 feet for field fence styles, and as much as 20-30 feet for high tensile barbed and smooth wire. Check out this simple table to find your fence&#;s recommended spacing.

An In-Depth Look at Post Spacing

Let&#;s take a square 40-acre pasture. This pasture calls for exactly one mile of fence. Using the above rule of thumb, posts can be spaced anywhere from 8 to 12 feet apart. Generally, a successful structure will have five steel t-posts to one wooden post.

Spacing the posts 8 feet apart will require 660 posts. On the other hand, a 12-foot spacing requires 440 posts. A total difference of 220 posts is significant when looking at cost of materials and labor.

The primary benefit of tighter spacing is added security. By increasing the number of line posts, you are increasing the amount of support your fence has. This also decreases future maintenance, as there are more points of contact for the fence to brace itself against impact. In the short term, a larger spacing decreases labor and material costs. For temporary fencing, increased spacing may be the best solution.

Consider this: a 20-year-old mare and her pasture pals probably won&#;t need the same tight spacing as a lone stallion. And, a substantial herd of cattle will put more pressure on a field fence than a few lingering, docile calves. Therefore, talk to your Red Brand dealer to make sure your posts are spaced properly for the animals you are containing.

While there is no such thing as over protection, a Red Brand dealer is the most qualified person to assess your animals&#; needs, and what spacing is best for your farm. Find a dealer near you at our website.

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