All categories
Business & Offices
Electronics & Media
Fashion & Accessories
Groceries & Essentials
Health & Personal Care
Home & Living
Kids & Family
Sports & Outdoors
Search in ZoneOffer
Ever stood back after a windy night and watched your fence lean like a domino? Choosing the right fence posts and rails is more than curb appeal — it’s about security, privacy, and saving money in the long run. The posts are the skeleton of any fence; the rails tie everything together. Pick poor-quality posts and the whole thing can sag, rot, or fall apart within a few seasons. But choose well, and your fence will stand strong for years, resisting weather, pets, and the occasional overenthusiastic gardener.
Not all posts are created equal. Different materials offer different lifespans, looks, and installation needs. Understanding the strengths and trade-offs of timber, concrete, and metal posts helps you match the post to your garden’s soil, the fence style, and the level of maintenance you want.
Timber posts are the go-to for many UK gardens. They look natural and pair well with wooden panels. If you’re buying timber posts, look for pressure-treated options — often labelled UC4 incised — which are treated for ground contact to resist rot and insect attack. Sizes like 6' x 4 x 4 or 6' x 3 x 3 are common and fit most panel systems. Timber is easier to cut on site and can be painted or stained to match your outdoor scheme.
Concrete posts are chosen when strength and longevity are priorities. They’re great in exposed sites or where post-rot is a constant battle. Concrete posts are heavier to handle and a bit more work to install, but once set they give years of trouble-free performance, especially when paired with concrete gravel boards or timber rails.
Steel or aluminum posts are an increasingly popular choice for contemporary fencing. They resist rot and can be powder-coated for added durability. Metal posts work particularly well with composite or metal panels and are an excellent choice if you want a slim, strong, low-maintenance option that lasts longer than untreated timber.
Buy Sheds Direct is a specialist retailer often stocked with a wide range of fence posts and rails. They typically offer timber posts in common sizes like 6' x 4 x 4 and 6' x 3 x 3 in treated finishes such as forest green UC4 incised, as well as planed posts for a neater, smoother finish. They also stock lightweight concrete posts in larger sizes for those who need extra durability. If you want a one-stop shop for panels, posts, and complementary accessories, this kind of specialist store is worth checking out.
If you want to compare prices, styles, and availability, it pays to check a mix of specialist and big-box retailers. Several UK stores consistently offer good ranges of posts and rails, and many provide helpful buying guides and delivery options to suit DIYers and tradespeople alike.
B&Q is popular for its mix of household hardware and garden supplies. You’ll find pressure-treated timber posts, planed posts, and some concrete options. Their online product pages usually include dimensions in feet and inches, fixing advice, and accessory recommendations. If convenience and local collection are priorities, B&Q is hard to beat.
Wickes tends to appeal to both homeowners and tradespeople with ranges that include heavy-duty posts, rails, and fencing kits. You can often buy in bulk, which keeps per-unit costs down if you’ve got a longer fence to install. Wickes also lists timber posts that are suited to common panel sizes and provide treatment levels suitable for ground contact.
Screwfix is ideal for tradespeople and weekend warriors who want fast access to fence posts, rails, and the fixings to put them up. They stock timber posts in common sizes and often offer metal and concrete alternatives. Screwfix’s strength is speedy availability and a solid range of fittings — post caps, brackets, and concrete for setting posts.
Travis Perkins and Jewson are traditional builders’ merchants that supply contractors and serious DIYers. Their stock often includes thicker, sturdier posts and specialized profiles for bespoke fencing. If your project requires non-standard sizes or professional-grade materials, these merchants are worth visiting; their teams can often advise on matching posts and rails for heavy-duty installations.
Fence posts are often expressed in feet and post cross-sections like 4 x 4 or 3 x 3. For example, a 6' x 4 x 4 post typically means a post approximately 6 feet tall with a 4-inch by 4-inch section. Common combinations you’ll see include 6' x 4 x 4, 6' x 3 x 3, 7' x 3 x 3, and planed posts around 4'11" or 5' tall for low fences. Choosing the right size depends on panel height, expected load, and ground conditions — taller panels generally need bigger posts to avoid sagging.
A quick guideline most people follow is to set posts at about one-third of their above-ground height into the ground. So, for a 6-foot post, aim for roughly 2 feet in the ground, leaving about 4 feet above ground. For added stability in windy sites, go deeper or use concrete footings. Always remember that soil type matters — soft or sandy ground may require deeper or thicker posts and possibly gravel-packed holes for better drainage and stability.
Installing a fence seems straightforward until you hit the first snag. To speed the job and avoid rework, invest time in preparation: check property boundaries, mark your line with string for straightness, and pre-measure post spacing based on panel widths. Use spirit levels often, and brace posts while the concrete sets. If you prefer less mess, many retailers offer pre-treated, pre-cut posts that are ready to fit straight into panels.
Mix concrete to the supplier’s instructions and pour around the base of the post. For timber posts, ensure the post is in its final vertical position before the concrete hardens. Slope the concrete slightly away from the post to shed water, preventing rot at the soil line. If you’re using gravel backfill instead, ensure compaction is thorough and consider using a post anchor or metal spike for extra life.
Rails connect posts and support panels. Typical three-rail systems are used for tall fences, while two rails suffice for lower fences. Space rails evenly and ensure they’re level so panels sit squarely. Use the appropriate brackets and galvanized fixings to prevent rust, and if you’re matching to pre-made panels, buy a rail length that neatly fits between posts to avoid cutting on site where possible.
Treated posts last much longer than untreated timber. Look for posts with a UC4 incised treatment if they’ll be in ground contact — this treatment helps preservatives penetrate the timber and resist rot. For aesthetics, planed posts provide a clean finish straight out of the pack, while incised posts accept preservatives better. Painting or staining can add years to the life of timber, but remember to avoid sealing the end grain without proper treatment first.
If sustainability matters to you, look for timber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or similar schemes, which ensures responsible forest management. Reclaimed timber posts are another eco-friendly option if you like the rustic look and don’t mind extra preparation. For minimal environmental impact, metal posts set with minimal concrete and recyclable composite rails are worth considering.
Price depends on material, treatment level, length, and cross-section. Timber posts are usually cost-effective, but high-quality treated or planed posts cost more. Concrete and metal posts carry a premium but can save money over the long term due to lower maintenance. When comparing stores like Buy Sheds Direct, B&Q, Wickes, and others, factor in delivery charges, availability, and whether the store offers helpful extras like cut-to-size services or matching rails to make installation easier.
Some fence jobs are straightforward, but others — sloping gardens, retaining walls, or boundary disputes — need professional advice. If your fence needs deep footings, heavy-duty retaining rails, or runs along a property line requiring precise measurements, hiring a local fencing contractor will save time and ensure a durable, compliant installation. Tradespeople can source heavier posts from builders’ merchants and offer guarantees on workmanship.
Before you click “buy,” run through a short checklist: confirm panel height and post length match, check treatment level (UC4 is best for ground contact), ensure post cross-section suits your wind exposure, order enough fixings and post caps, and decide whether you’ll set posts in concrete or use anchors. If you’re uncertain, compare a few suppliers — specialist shops like Buy Sheds Direct and large retailers like Wickes or B&Q often list detailed product specs and customer reviews that help decide.
Avoiding a few common pitfalls makes the job far smoother. Don’t skimp on post size for tall panels, don’t forget to treat cut ends with preservative, and don’t set posts too shallow just to save a bit of digging. Another typical mistake is mismatching rail length to post spacing — always measure twice and, if possible, buy a little extra timber for wastage and mistakes.
Choosing the right posts and rails transforms a fence from a temporary fix to a long-term investment. Whether you shop specialist stores like Buy Sheds Direct or larger chains like B&Q, Wickes, Screwfix, Travis Perkins, and Jewson, focus on material, treatment, and size first. Factor in installation method and ground conditions, and you’ll avoid the most common headaches. A little planning up front means a strong, stable fence that looks good and stands the test of time.
Ready to start? Measure your garden, pick the post material that fits your needs, and compare a couple of trusted suppliers for the best value. With the right posts and rails, your garden will be protected, private, and picture-perfect.
| Fence Posts & Rails | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| 5'11 X 2.7 X 2.7 Forest Planed Fence Post 1800mm X 70mm X 70mm | £ 25,99 | |
| 8' X 4 X 4 Forest Green Uc4 Incised Fence Post 2400mm X 100mm X 100mm | £ 38,99 |
