How far apart should the posts be in a fence? This is a common question asked when installing a new fence. We look at what you need to know about fence post spacing.

Whilst it may appear a simple task, building a fence for your front yard or back garden is a job that requires plenty of planning to get each aspect right and correctly positioned. One of the most significant factors of the process is positioning your post points.

Many taking on such tasks often wonder how far apart should fence posts be and if there is a specific rule of thumb to follow.

Whereabouts you choose to place these brace and line posts and getting the proper distance between them is an element you must measure and decide before getting right to the digging. Often the measurements will inform the proper fence style for your yard, garden or property building. 

Fence Planning

Professional installers encourage such precise measuring processes before starting your building project. Suppose you positioned your posts at too considerable a distance apart. Your fence would struggle to stay straight and upright as it wouldn't have enough integral strength to support the fence panels, rails or individual fence boards and would likely collapse.

Keeping the posts or t-posts close would improve the fence's durability; it would begin to look strange and more-so like a thick wooden wall instead of an inviting garden or property fence, so we would opt for slightly larger spacing.

For those creating a stable and sleek-looking fence, you want to ensure you utilise the guideline distance given by the professionals, alongside the correct length and height in feet that is ideal for the location and complies with the building regulations.

Remember that many fence posts are made of concrete or secured into the ground using concrete or cement that fills deep holes to keep the mixture and concrete or wooden posts in place. Once installed, they are quite a trial to move about and reposition, so it's paramount to measure the correct spaces for your fencing and posts and plumb properly.

Once you've fully measured, you want to ensure you are safe and legally allowed to go ahead with your project, so ensure you research the necessary planning permission laws in your local area and get consent if you need to. 

Fence Post Spacing

Many installation professionals recommend that you keep the distance between your structural fence posts approximately 1.8 metres apart; these are usually the manufacturer's recommendations for the distance.

In doing so, you can keep consistent measurements across the entire perimeter of your fence. 1.8m is the optimum feet apart for all average fences suitable for commercial, business and residential properties across the UK. It also allows for many homes and terrace houses to stay uniform.

There is a vast range of different types of fencing that you can select from, for example, rail fences, smooth wires, barbed wires, panel boards or picket fences, each made of various materials with pros and cons. Many of these materials include vinyl, PVC, composite, masonry styles and various metals such as chain link, wrought iron and aluminium; however, the most popular fence type is wood.

Once you've thoroughly measured each aspect, you can move on to choose the right material that is attractive and affordable. Consider the future maintenance you're willing to put in, the lifespan and the costs to achieve a stunning, high tensile fence that will stay with you for many years.

For those living in a home surrounded by a considerable amount of land, you may think it practical to increase your premises' security by installing high tensile barbed wire fencing on the outskirts of your property to act as a boundary border.

Such options are the best solution for those living on farms with pens and rich meadow pasture acting as a field fence to keep their animals and cattle safe or those whose homes are subject to trespassers or burglars who wish to keep them out of their land.

Again, you can apply the 1.8-metre distance rule between every fence post if you intend to utilise barbed wire. We recommend homeowners contact their local fencing installation services for those with additional questions.

Generally, their team of professionals will be able to help you if you need ideas on what cost-effective material would be most suitable for your property and the qualities you want your fence to have.

They will also have the skills and talents to install your brand new fence if you feel you would struggle to complete the job yourself, ensuring everything is evenly spaced apart. 

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Are you looking for garden fencing near you? If you require garden fencing installation and supply in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire contact us today. 

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