Your Local Quality Fence Company
SERVING THIBODAUX, HOUMA AND THE SURROUNDING AREA
Steel vs. Wood Fence Posts: What’s Best for Your Yard?
Choosing the right fence post is crucial, especially when building in South Louisiana. Our region is known for its challenging weather, varied soil types, and humid conditions. Modern steel post systems offer solutions tailored to these local challenges.
Why Driven Steel Posts?
1) Deeper = stronger.
Driven steel posts are typically set 4-5 feet deep (often deeper than typical concrete footings), which increases lateral resistance against wind and gate loads.
2) No digging, no concrete.
We drive a galvanized steel post directly into undisturbed soil. That means:
No waiting on concrete to cure—your fence can be built immediately.
Minimal lawn disruption and a cleaner jobsite.
No concrete “bowl” that traps water at the ground line.
3) No wood in the ground.
The wood stays up and out of the soil, reducing the most common rot point.
4) No warping or twisting.
Galvanized steel stays as straight as the day it was set in the ground.
5) Consistent quality.
Driving posts into native, undisturbed soil yields reliable holding power compared to backfilling disturbed holes.
Wood Posts Set in Concrete: The Trade-offs
1) Water + wood + concrete = rot risk.
Concrete can form a cup at grade that holds moisture right where wood is most vulnerable. Even well-installed footings can trap water during heavy rains or irrigation.
2) Shallower embedment.
Typical wood posts in concrete are about 24–30 inches deep. In hurricane prone areas, that shallower depth can mean more movement over time and failure during high winds.
3) Wood treatment has changed.
Older residential posts were commonly CCA treated; modern residential treatments are different formulations with different retention levels and performance in ground contact. In addition, much of today’s lumber is harvested younger, yielding wider growth rings (fewer rings per inch) and a higher proportion of earlywood—generally less dense and less decay-resistant than older, tighter-ring stock. The net result: today’s wood posts often don’t last as long in soil as many homeowners remember.
4) Slower, messier install.
Digging holes, hauling/curing concrete, and handling spoils adds time and jobsite cleanup.
Local Advantage: Steel Posts in South Louisiana
· Drought Resistance: Deep-driven steel posts offer superior stability during drought conditions, when clay soils shrink, expand, and shift, causing instability for traditional fences. Unlike wood posts set in concrete, steel posts are set deeper where conditions are more stable, remaining secure even as the soil dries out and contracts.
Conclusion: Invest in Quality
Driven steel posts—like our King+ and I-drive systems—are the smart choice for fences built to last in South Louisiana’s challenging environment. They offer unmatched strength, adaptability, and longevity, standing firm against our local weather, soil, and pests. For fences that endure, trust in modern and professional installation tailored to our region’s needs.