Should all fence posts be set in cement?

Should all my fence posts be set in concrete?

This is a question we get a lot, and it’s a good one. It’s a question that should be asked to any fence company you are considering to build your next fence. It’s important to set all your posts in concrete to keep them plumb. We have torn out and rebuilt a lot of leaning fences over the years because the posts were set in concrete. Some people will say that setting your posts in cement will cause them to rot. This is just not the case scientifically or our something we’ve experienced. One of the most important reasons all of your fence posts should be set in concrete is to keep them plumb and level for a long time. If all that is supporting the fence post is the sand around it the south Florida wind storms can make the fence lean and cause your new fence to look pretty rough over time. By setting them in concrete you have a heavier base for your post as well as a larger hard surface area in the ground that won’t be as prone to leaning into the sand beside it. You can think of it this way, what is easier? Pushing a butter knife 3” into the sand or pushing a plate 3” down into the sand? The larger the surface area you have supporting your fence post the longer it will stay plumb and level. Some companies will only set their gates and corner posts in cement. While this is ok it’s not the best practice. Due to the low cost of concrete it’s much better to backfill the post hole with concrete instead of sand that was just dug out. This doesn’t cost you anymore in labor and there is a minimal cost to the concrete that will add a lot of longevity to your fence. 

The American Standards for Testing Materials (ASTM) also always suggests setting fence posts in cement. So, if you’re not going to take it from us, take it from them! 

Let us know if you have any other questions about your fence and maybe we will make your question our next blog post!