GALVANISED STEEL FENCING THE EASY-TO-INSTALL ALTERNATIVE TO CONCRETE
For decades, concrete and timber posts have dominated the UK’s domestic and commercial fencing market. However, there is a third and arguably much better option: galvanised steel.
Here, John Abernethie, Managing Director at Birkdale highlights the key benefits of this modern and high-performance solution.
Traditionally, timber fence posts have been favoured as the best aesthetic choice. Providing a natural and rustic appearance enables them to complement any fencing system and outdoor space. However, as any fencer will know, looks aren’t everything; characteristics such as strength, wind resistance and durability also need to be considered.
These are important factors where timber falls short. Unfortunately, it is liable to rot making it extremely vulnerable to strong winds, and it has a relatively short lifespan – needing to be replaced regularly.
As such, many landscapers opt for concrete instead. Although it is a bulky and unattractive material, it isn’t going to rot like timber, its more stable and offers better durability. However, concrete is extremely heavy, meaning installation is neither quick nor cost-effective.
Furthermore, even after it has been installed, concrete posts are prone to chipping and hairline cracks, leading to water ingress. Over time this can result in further damage to the post before it eventually breaks.
What’s more concrete has a significant carbon footprint. According to think tank Chatham House, cement, the key ingredient in concrete, is responsible for 8% of the world’s CO2 emissions .
Thankfully, there are modern alternatives that harness the benefits of both timber and concrete. Galvanised steel is a solution that is becoming increasingly popular, thanks to a number of performance and aesthetic advantages.
Firstly, it is 80% lighter than concrete, meaning an 8ft post weighs just 7kg (a concrete post of the same size weighs about 50kg) ensuring it can be easily transported to site, carried and installed by a single tradesperson. Therefore, landscapers can significantly reduce transport and labour costs by switching to galvanised steel. They can also get the job completed faster and move on to their next job far more quickly.
Galvanised steel is also incredibly strong. In fact, during strength tests carried out by the Building Research Establishment Ltd (BRE), Birkdale’s galvanised steel fence post, DuraPost®demonstrated that it can withstand wind speeds of up to 110mph, the equivalent of 625kg of force. Its impressive strength-to-weight ratio can be attributed to its manufacturing process. Produced in the UK, the steel is cut and cold rolled through a specially made die to create a unique and incredibly strong patented H-section profile. Furthermore, the product comes in slim unobtrusive profiles.
Once installed, galvanised steel is highly weather resistant and does not rot, warp, or twist over time. At Birkdale, we are so confident in its longevity that we offer DuraPost® with a guarantee of up to 25 years. The durability of the system also ensures that no maintenance is required meaning it is very cost-effective in the long run.
While DuraPost® is available in a number of attractive colours and could be considered a premium solution, untreated galvanised steel posts are ideal for use alongside pre-existing concrete features and are available at a highly competitive price point to rival traditional concrete systems. For commercial environments, DuraPost® lengths of 2.4 to 5m are available for fencing up to 4m above ground – providing a hassle-free alternative to bespoke universal column solutions.
Overall, with galvanised steel fence post products such as DuraPost®, fencers can offer their customers an attractive solution that has the strength and durability of concrete with added longevity. For the ultimate fencing system, consider combining this fence post with the rest of the DuraPost® range, which includes three composite fence panels – Vento, Urban Slatted and Prima. Other accessories are also available including gravel boards and post caps.
To find out more about DuraPost®, please visit: www.birkdalesales.com/durapost
