Ideas for building a Wood Fence across Cement Driveway

[Tidybuoy]

I'm going to have my driveway paved (Asphalt to Cement). Currently, there is a wood fence with gates that keep the driveway private.

I'm going to be installing a swinging metal gate and was originally going to build a blockwall fence across the end of the driveway but now I'm thinking of building a nice wood fence to match my new fence that borders the side of the driveway. The driveway is behind my house and is private.

My issue, how to install wood posts into a cement driveway. I could sink the post prior to the driveway install but I'm worried that overtime the posts will rot.

Is it feasible to sink in metal forms that the wood posts drop into or metal bases that the posts bolt onto. In any case, the fence will be a short length (i.e., 12-15ft) can conntected to another fence at the corner which will give some support.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

[herr_oberst]

I used these (with redheads, as recommended in the video), plus Sika epoxy. Worked great. The gate is solid enough for me to ride through it's swing.

[GH85Carrera]

One of my buddies that live on the outskirts of town put in a fence and gate across his driveway. He wanted something very stout and long lasting. He ended up spending more, but he put in a steel post, and then just clad it in wood to make it look like a wooden post. If the wood starts to rot, he can just pop it off, and recover it.

[Tidybuoy]

The gate will have steel posts that came with it and are designed for it (very heavy duty and posts weigh about 80lbs ea). The wood fence will either butt up to the gate posts or I will build two columns around the steel posts and the wood gate will then butt up to the columns.

I do like the idea of covering the steel posts with wood but for this particular gate, the post are only 5't out of the ground as the gate is shorter on the sides and then slope up to the middle.

I will take a few photos this weekend and post to put this in perspective.

[cabmandone]

How about sinking a piece of thick wall metal box with roughly the same inside dimensions as post, then lag screwing the post to the steel box? That way if the post is damaged you just pull the lags, remove the post then put a new post in place.

[javadog]

I use the above method, except that I use square steel structural tube the same dimensions as the post and I trim the end of the post to fit down into the tube. Either way works. If you do a good job fitting the post into the tube, a bolt is not necessary.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

Is it feasible to sink in metal forms that the wood posts drop into or metal bases that the posts bolt onto. .

You almost have the right idea. Set steel sockets in the ground to whatever depth the gate manufacturer recommends for the posts and pour the concrete around them. You may have to have the sockets made, depending on the size of the post and stock sizes of steel tube. Just drop the post into the socket and attach the gate.
You want easily replaced posts beside your driveway, trust me.

[tevake]

If you are using a single span gate hung from one side, you might want to consider adding a pedestrian gate on the side the gate closes to. You can fit a removable post for the gate to close to, having the small gate close to the same removable pole, from the fence.

This makes it easy for you walking thru, and when an extra large vehicle or vehicle with trailer in tow needs thru you can remove the post and open both gates for more easy access.

This arrangement has worked well for me at two places now.

Cheers Richard

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

One of my buddies that live on the outskirts of town put in a fence and gate across his driveway. He wanted something very stout and long lasting. He ended up spending more, but he put in a steel post, and then just clad it in wood to make it look like a wooden post. If the wood starts to rot, he can just pop it off, and recover it.

I like this idea. Other than maybe redwood, ironwood, or something special like that, most wood will end up rotting, at least, that I've witnessed or experienced in outdoor fences. May as well have something that will stay stable and solid with an easily replaceable veneer.

[Bill Douglas]

Treated fence posts won't rot. I'm an ex farmer so I've put in plenty of fence posts LOL

Here in NZ we have treatments and their requirement ratings. I use H5 for in ground things. Whatever you choose to put in the ground have at least two fifths of it in the ground and the ground rammed well around it.

[mattdavis11]

You live in California, you can't put up fences! How is someone going to be able to treat themselves to your property and possesions? You ought to check with the state and city code enforcement before wasting any money. You might lose your grandfather status.

[look 171]

Here's what I have done in the past with large gates. 1/4" wall thickness steel post in concrete. Drill large hole for 3/4" dia. J Gate bolt (Through the 4x4 steel post. Having the ability to adjust will save your ass later without ripping out anything). Make sure you weld the top shut. Weld steel gate frame to J bolt with few holes so wood can be attached to the steel frame, finish with wood attached to steel 4x4 post. I like that heavier look. I normally make the post look like a 6x6 or sometimes larger. I installed a pair of gate like it at my house for over 16 years. I have yet to adjust anything and I can swing on it like a monkey. There is no movement. On one side, all the steel structure is seen but both side can be covered with wood to hide the steel. I covered mine with construction heart redwood, only on one side.

If you are anal, fill post with concrete

[mattdavis11]

Would that hold up to fire and earthquakes? One little ripple or blaze, and they're right up in his business. Last thing he wants is tents in his yard, just like Nancy.

[Jim Richards]

[RWebb]

if sunk in concrete, beside treated posts, you can mound the concrete up a bit on all 4 sides so the slope drains water away
- you can face 1x's on the fugly posts to make them look nicer too

if loads are low, you can sink plastic pipe into the concrete, then set the posts in that with shims - not real strong but my neighbor di his fence that way (in the 1960s !!) and it is still solid

I stopped 'building for the ages' on my house and just want it to hang together until I croak...