The Surprising Way Fence Post Caps Could Actually Save You Money In The Long Run

Your fence would be nothing without fence posts. Your fence posts keep your fence sturdy against winds and adverse weather, which is why most homeowners are meticulous about their installation. 

Fence post caps, unfortunately, don't get the same kind of attention. If anything, some feel they are just decorative and skip them entirely to reduce costs. However, you'll be surprised to learn that these caps could actually save you money over time by protecting your fence posts from water damage.

Wooden fence posts without caps are bare to the elements. Rainwater can easily seep into the wood grain, which can cause swelling and rotting. Additionally, cracks can form if this water freezes and expands in the wood during cold weather. And when the ice keeps thawing and freezing over and over, the cracks keep increasing and damaging your wood posts. This is also the case with concrete posts as concrete is porous too. Water can get into the concrete and cause it to crack and spall. Spalling is when your concrete post chips away in bits until you can see the steel rebars within. With post caps, these issues are drastically prevented and you won't need to spend money on repairs.

However, this benefit is mostly for wood and concrete, not other fence post materials. Vinyl is highly water-resistant and metal posts are not porous so caps will do little to prevent rust. Additionally, since wooden fence post caps are susceptible to moisture-related damage, you should consider getting a cap made from a waterproof material like vinyl to fully enjoy this money-saving benefit.

Aside from water damage, the top of your wood fence post is also more susceptible to weather damage compared to other parts of your fence. This means they are vulnerable to drying due to ultraviolet (UV) damage and wind action which can make them brittle. Prolonged UV radiation exposure also causes cracks in concrete. Fence post caps work to protect the top of your fence posts from this issue, keeping your fence long-lasting. 

Another thing they save you from is avoidable home accidents. Cracks in wood lead to splinters which could hurt kids, pets, and even adults.

Fence post caps also protect your posts from damage from bird droppings. The elevated nature of your fence makes it a perfect vantage point for birds, so they turn it into their highway and your fence posts are pit stops where they would likely leave a mess. Now, as much as you probably love birds, your wood or concrete fence isn't a living fence and droppings are not good for them. Bird feces contain uric acid which can corrode many surfaces including wood, concrete, vinyl, and metal. Going for caps with smooth and slightly pointed edges would discourage birds from hanging out on your posts and keep them safe. 

Finally, these caps protect the top of your posts from insects like termites that could burrow into your wood fence. While it might not be the best way to keep termites from munching on your fence, it still helps to protect your posts from infestation.