Fitting & Putting Up Concrete Fence Posts & Fencing Gravel Boards

Concreting in fence posts can be done with either a mixture of ballast and cement (approx. mix; 6:1), or Postfix. The amount required of either product depends on the size of the hole that the post is going into.

When concreting fence posts into the ground the posts should be buried a minimum of 600mm deep.

When you are site planning it is best to make sure that your garden fence posts may or may not need stepping. Fence posts are always erected so that the top of the fence panel will run level. However, if the ground slopes the post will need stepping and there will be a triangular gap beneath the fence panel. It is noted that if the garden fence is designed to contain pets then the gap may need to be filled with a gravel board.

Concrete gravel boards that are used with panel fencing are simply slotted into the slotted posts.

Concrete gravel boards that are used with morticed posts for closeboard fencing are attached using two pin push-in cleats. The cleats simply slot into the fence post using two holes located near the bottom of the fence post and then the gravel board is bolted onto cleats, usually using M8x80 or M10x80 bolts. Some concrete fence posts have four holes is to allow a choice of position for the gravel board on the post.

Because of the length of the gravel board, the centre is supported by a centre stump, which is attached by a coach screw and washe through a hole in the gravel board. The centre stump also attaches to the bottom arris rail, giving the whole structure rigidity. 

Stepping- Fence posts are always erected so that the top of the fence panel will run level. However, If the ground slopes, the fence post will need stepping and therefore there will be a triangular gap beneath the fence panel. If the garden fence is designed to contain pets, then the gap may need to be filled with a gravel board to stop the gap.

Ground Level- When you are stepping a garden fence due to varying ground levels, it can create a minor difference in gaps at the bottom with which will need to be accommodated with a wooden or concrete gravel board. 

Face- The front face of the lap panel will tend to have the manufacturers badge and fewer visible battens. Another distinction between the two sides is that it is likely that daylight will be seen through the overlapping slats when viewed from the rear. .

Wind Exposure- By its very natural nature, panel fencing is lightweight in construction. Closeboard style panels are able to cope with a higher wind loading than traditional overlap panels.