4" Wood to 5" Vinyl Post Conversion
#1
04-14-20, 03:18 PM
4" Wood to 5" Vinyl Post Conversion
I have a wood fence with 4x4 wood posts, and want to change to a vinyl fence which has 5x5 posts.
My current fence posts are affixed atop concrete pillars using 4x4 fence post brackets. These brackets are embedded into the concrete (see pictures). I do have to use those same pillars for my vinyl fence posts, as making new post holes or supports is not an option.
Therein lies my problem. How can I affix the 5x5 vinyl posts to the concrete pillars when I've got those 4x4 brackets embedded in them?
current fence post in bracket in concrete-600px.jpg
current fence post bracket style.jpg
My current fence posts are affixed atop concrete pillars using 4x4 fence post brackets. These brackets are embedded into the concrete (see pictures). I do have to use those same pillars for my vinyl fence posts, as making new post holes or supports is not an option.
Therein lies my problem. How can I affix the 5x5 vinyl posts to the concrete pillars when I've got those 4x4 brackets embedded in them?
current fence post in bracket in concrete-600px.jpg
current fence post bracket style.jpg
#4
04-14-20, 03:55 PM
Group Moderator
Cant see the product you're using. Most vinyl fences have posts that go down below ground, they get mortared in and then get filled with concrete. Is that what yours are? I was just thinking that since most vinyl fences are so wimpy, you could use the existing posts. Pad out the existing post and use the new vinyl post like a post sleeve.
Or do your vinyl posts come with a new steel post that bolts down, and then gets torqued down to the ground?
Or do your vinyl posts come with a new steel post that bolts down, and then gets torqued down to the ground?
#5
04-14-20, 04:24 PM
They suggest only filling the corner and gate posts with concrete, not the rest of them, since the horizontal rails slide into notches in the posts, and the rails may expand/contract. They suggest inserting them 1" into post, so that precludes leaving the existing post in there. (Not sure how that works in the corners and gates if those posts are filled!)
I could chop off all but (say) the bottom 6" of the existing wood posts, and use that as an anchor as you suggest.
I could chop off all but (say) the bottom 6" of the existing wood posts, and use that as an anchor as you suggest.
#6
04-14-20, 04:40 PM
Group Moderator
Yes, that's what I meant... corners and gate posts get slugged solid, but all the posts need to be set in concrete at the base in order to be stable. I don't think you will be very happy with how your fence turns out if you don't use one of their 3 methods for setting your posts. All their fences have dimensions for post depth, and they need to be set in concrete. You won't be able to use your old post footings if you don't have post sleeves. And post sleeves are 4x4 not 5x5. I doubt my idea about padding out the posts on two sides (front and back, not side to side) would work, but you could look into it. It certainly isn't one of their warrantied methods of installation.
