How To Install Wooden Fence Post Caps

Install them when you install your new deck or fence and you ll be able to enjoy your investment many more years.

How to install wooden fence post caps. Bevel the top of the fence post to a 45º angle to encourage rain runoff or plan on installing a post cap. Deckorators metal post caps come with a layer of lacquer for protection. Fence post caps are a covering that fits over the top of the posts on a deck or fence. Cedar has a reputation for durability but unless a few guidelines are followed cedar posts can fail in as few as five years.

The sawn off ends of the fence post are vulnerable to moisture. What are fence post caps. This will prevent oxidation. Refinish wooden post caps whenever you refinish your deck.

When installing wooden post caps it is advised that pilot holes are drilled in advance of screwing down to help to stop the cap from splitting especially during hot weather. As with all wood products we recommend that you coat the wood portion of the post cap with a high quality exterior finish to preserve the wood s natural beauty and ensure a lifetime of enjoyment. Consider these precautions if you live in a damp climate. For example with posts spaced about 8 feet apart use 16 foot boards as the top and bottom rail to span three posts.

The fastest and most foolproof way to install fence posts for fence posts that are firmly set and straight all you need is a good technique a helpful friend and the right products. For the middle rail use an 8 foot board across two posts. Most people think of post caps as a decorative item. They also perform an important role covering end grain that would otherwise absorb water that can lead to cracking and rotting.

Treat the two ends with a non water based brush on wood preservative such as copper naphthenate. Fence post caps come in a wide variety of styles and sizes. Here s how to install new cedar fence posts and avoid the problems that made your old posts rot. At the end of a run install the rails flush with the edge of the corner post.

Poor drainage low quality wood and poor protection against insect damage. That s where fence post caps come in. For glass post caps apply car wax or furniture polish to the copper wrapped solder before you install the caps. Apply to all wood areas including the underside of the cap before installation.

Rails running along the fence should butt together at the middle of the posts. Fence post caps are an attractive addition to any fence or deck. Repeat the waxing process every three to six months as needed.