Do wood fence posts need to be set in concrete if the fence is small, and not in the wind?

Question

I am building a bamboo fence on my patio, only about 6-7' long, 5' high. I am doing a picture frame with split bamboo in the center. I am planning to have two end posts and one in the middle. It is really more cosmetic than anything (covering up an AC unit). Do I have to pour cement around the posts, or is there an easier way? Also, with such a small fence, how deep do I need to dig to install the posts? All advice is welcome, I have never built a fence before and want to keep this as simple as possible. Thanks!

Answer 1

Bamboo's pretty light-weight.  If you're not planning on growing or hanging anything on the fence, and your soil isn't too light, you could use those metal post spikes designed to fit 4x4 posts. My local Home Depot sells them, and I'll bet you could also find them on-line.

I used those post spikes for a short stretch of low trellis fence in my yard, and they held up fine, even with a big climbing rose sprawling all over it.  I think they'd probably be okay for what you're planning.

Answer 2

Check your local building codes to make sure but it doesn't sound like your little fence would even be ruled a fence (requiring concrete, etc., etc).  There are thousands of miles of fences that have never seen concrete in a post hole.  The concrete is for extra strength and it sounds like your project  doesn't require much strength.  Put the posts eighteen to twenty four inches deep and tamp soil around them.

Answer 3

I saw "fence" and I immediately thought "town ordinance".  Check with your locality to see if there is an ordinance that requires fences to be anchored, if so, how far apart, etc.  Also, do you need a permit to do it...

If not, then the corners need to be set in concrete as a minimum.  As for depth, the frost line determines that.  18" to 2 feet.  

Check out your local Home Depot.  I did see a book in there on building fences which will answer these and all other questions you can come up with.

Good luck!

Answer 4

You should not use cement.  Cement causes the wood to deteriorate faster.  Dig a hole at least 3 feet.   To do this you will need a "clamshell" post hole digger.   You will also need something to break up the compacted soil, as the clamshells do not dig but only remove loose soil.  You place the post in the ground add 1/2 to 1 foot with soil and "tamp" the soil, continue until the hole is full (you will have very little soil left over.  When "tamped" well enough the post will not move when shaken.

Answer 5

Well, the best would be to use concrete, however in this situation you could dig a hole at least 24-36" and about 10" in diameter.  Instead of using concrete, just use sand to fill up to about 10" from the ground level.  Backfill with dirt and your done.  Remember, not the best way, but will work.

Answer 6

With a 5' high fence you certainly need to set them in concrete. Posts are 5' 6' and 8' you wiil require 8' posts 3' of which will be in the grounds. It wouldn't last 5 mins otherwise. You would probably get away with it on a 3' high fence.

Answer 7

For every thirty inches above ground, you'll want at least twelve inches below ground for your posts.  Since it will mostly be open (not wind breaking) you can add an extra six to twelve inches in depth and shouldn't have a problem with it staying up as long as you firmly pack the earth around the base of your posts.  Water the ground as you put it back to get rid of air pockets.  Let the posts settle for a few days before adding the fence.  If you want it quicker, or more solid, use the cement.  Build your fence panel on the ground, then mount it on the posts so that you won't be subjecting the whole structure to vibrations from hammering for an extended period of time.  Have fun and good luck.