If I am building a 6' wooden fence, How deep should I sink the post's? Is it around 2'?

Answer 1

Basic answer is 1/3 of the fence height. If you are subject to high winds, you may want to go a bit deeper.

Answer 2

I've had a lot of experiences with wooden fences over the years and there is one thing that I would urge you to do - use metal post holders set into cement. If you simply ram the posts down 2 or 3 feet into the earth, the wind will work the fence back and fore like the sail on a ship and, together with earth softened by rain, will cause the fence to gradually keel over.

Much better to buy metal post holders (mine were made by 'MetPost' I think). You have to shave the post a bit to get it into the metal holder (which has a triangular spike about a foot long on the end of it) and then dig a hole, fill it with cement and set the post into it. Once it sets, the post is absolutely rigid.

Once the panels are nailed to the posts, you have a fence which is as solid as a rock and which will last a very long time.

Believe you me, when you have a high wind, you'll be so glad you went to the trouble of doing this. You'll see neighbours with their fences lying flat on the lawn!

Good luck.

Answer 3

Sensible man has the right idea; one third of the post's length. Therefore if you want a six foot fence, the overall length of your posts should be nine feet, with three feet submerged into the hole. The same principle applies to cantilevers.

I'm not an advocate of metal post holders. A fence's stability is based on it's weakest point. In the case of metal shafts, its the pocket cradle in which the posts sit.

I spent my teenage years working on my uncle's ranch; much of that time was spent building corals and fence lines. The coral posts were placed down four feet and secured into place simply by tamping the earth around the posts. Its been thirty years since those corals were built and they're still as strong as the day we built it; that's even after thirty years of cattle rubbing against the posts on a daily basis.

Answer 4

15 inches would be satisfactory for a fence that is to be 48 inches high. You did not state how high the fence is to be and that is critical to answer the question exactly. The rule of thumb is 1/3 of the post in the ground and 2/3 out. For a 6 foot fence that would dictate a 8 foot post 32" in the ground. The post would extend 64 inches out of the ground. This is the typical height of the top rail of a 6 foot wooden fence. The 6 foot battens of the fence extend 8 inches taller than the posts and top rail. (Depending on how many post holes you need. It may be worth your while to rent a power auger and enlist a strong friend.)

Answer 5

42" in MI. Need to get below the frost line otherwise your fence will move up and down and cause problems. You wont need to fill the entire hole with concrete, half a bag should do. Get 10' posts and cut off the extra. Spend a little extra now to save you big $ down the road. If you aren't dealing with frost then 3' should be more than sufficient.

Answer 6

I would say about 2' or 3' that's what I would do

Answer 7

Not enough to hold the rest of the fencing. Get 10' 4 by 4" posts sink as much as is possible and concrete them in. We just poured dry concrete in and added water, then take a piece of wood and go up and down like you are crushing grapes for wine. Get treated wood, be happy forever.

Answer 8

I think it is 3' by code . At least in Miami , Fl .

Answer 9

about 2/3 feet and use post Crete to secure them. it goes off in about half hour and makes a good job.

Answer 10

Hey,
If you are looking for woodworking plans,
try to look here http://www.goobypls.com/r/rd.asp?gid=294
Have a nice day