Most Aussies use either treated pine or hardwood posts for their fences, but which is best? One obvious difference between these two natural materials is cost, because treated pine is much cheaper than hardwood. There are other differences and similarities however. So let’s check out the pros and cons of treated pine posts vs hardwood, so you can make an informed decision for your new fence.
Benefits of treated pine vs hardwood
As its name suggests, treated pine posts are treated to resist termites, which means that it lasts a long time in the ground without being eaten away. When compared to hardwood, treated pine lasts longer, but only if both are exposed to the soil. In days gone by, when posts were just banged into the ground then treated pine wins hands down. If you plant them in concrete however, then since the hardwood isn’t exposed to the soil they won’t rot any faster than treated pine. The situation changes if there are termites around, because the hardwood will be eaten by the termites, whereas the treated pine will still stand strong.
For aesthetics, hardwood posts look better and if you keep them free of the soil by embedding them in concrete, they should last as long, if not longer than treated pine (given the absence of termites). In fact, treated pine posts are said to last for 15 to 25 years, while hardwood posts last for 20 to 30 years.
All of this means that if short term costs are your limiting factor, then treated pine is your best bet. If aesthetics is top priority, then hardwood is the way to go. If longevity is your priority, then you might want to select hardwood posts.
RKG Fencing builds fences using either treated pine or hardwood and we can help you to make the right decision for your property.