Pressure Treated Wood Fence Installation Notes

How many FENCE POSTS do I need? How far apart should I place them?

In general, you should position your fence posts between 1.83m to 2.4m apart. The actual distance will of course depend on several factors, such as the fencing material itself, the location and the purpose for which the fence is being built.

For example, the table below shows the approximate breaking strength of various diameter posts when the a force is applied 1.2m (4ft) from the ground:

Whatever these factors dictate try and stay within sensible post intervals, favouring smaller intervals where problems arise.

It is a good idea to set out the major or boundary posts first, such as each corner or end posts. Once these are set, run a plumb line between each post to give the fence line. This enables you to align all the remaining posts in between at the required spacing intervals.

Mark the position of each intermediate post on your fence line according to your requirements. Hammer in a peg at the exact position where each post will be located.

Now is the best time to check your post alignment and spacing intervals. Re-align if necessary. Don't forget that sensible post intervals and correct alignment will not only make your fence strong but also give it that professional look of a job well done.