Getting your posts right from the ground up
Whether you are putting up a garden fence, a pergola, or a carport, the posts are what everything else depends on. Get the post fixings wrong and the whole structure leans, wobbles, or rots at the base within a few seasons. Get them right and it stays solid and square for years. The good news is that modern post fixings make this far easier than the old method of digging holes and mixing concrete, and this guide explains the main options so you can choose the right one for your project.
The main types of post fixing
There are three broad approaches. Traditional concreting sets the post directly into a hole filled with concrete: strong, but slow, permanent, and it traps water around the post base, which is the most common cause of rot. Bolt-down post bases fix to an existing concrete or paved surface, lifting the post clear of standing water. And drive-in or anchor-style bases bolt the post to the ground without a full concrete pour. For most garden projects, a metal post base is the modern, longer-lasting choice.
Key point: keeping the timber post off the ground and out of standing water is the single biggest factor in how long it lasts. Post bases do exactly that.
Post bases: the modern favourite
A metal post base holds the timber a few centimetres above the surface, so water drains away instead of soaking into the end grain. This dramatically reduces rot, which is why post bases have largely replaced concreting for fences, pergolas, and carports. They also let you adjust and square the post during fitting, and replace a post later without digging out concrete. For a pergola or carport carrying real load, choose a heavier-duty base rated for the job.
Matching the fixing to the job
A light garden fence panel does not need the same fixing as a pergola holding up a roof. Fence posts need a base that resists wind load and keeps the line straight; pergolas and carports need stronger bases and the correct anchors into the slab below, because they carry weight and leverage. Using the right anchor for your surface, whether concrete, paving, or a new pad, matters as much as the base itself.
Choosing with confidence
The right post fixing depends on your structure, your ground, and the load involved, and it is easy to under-spec if you are guessing. We stock a full range of post bases and fence fixings, along with the anchors to fix them down securely. If you tell us what you are building and what you are fixing into, we can point you to the right base and anchor combination, so your posts go up straight and stay standing.
