When building a 6ft. wood fence, which are better? wood nails or screws? is a concrete mold needed for posts?
Question:concrete mold told help hold and form concrete below ground. 8ft. posts with 96inch wood boards
Answers:
You can pour the concrete right into the post hole and then set the posts in it, no mold needed, but you have to be very careful to line up the posts. You can put up a string that is taut and level to the top of the fence, and line up the tops of the posts with that. Then use a level to get the posts perfectly vertical in both directions. Gotta do this fast before the concrete sets.
Screws are much better. Use galvanized deck screws.
Use wood screws, they have less of a chance of working out. Yes you need concrete around the posts in the ground. You better rent yourself a post-hole auger unless you like a lot of manual labor. Don't skimp on how far down you place your posts because if not put down far enough, wind can tip the fence right over, pulling up the cement.
wood screws do not loosen as easy as nails conrete footings are a good idea just get a mix from the hardware store and follow the directions on the bag
Wood screws are better because the boards in the fence are outdoors and exposed to weather. That means they will shrink and expand and this can pop the nails right out of a fence. Screws will hold, despite the expansion and contraction.
You are much better off with concrete footings for the posts as they will rot if they are placed on bare ground.
Screws are better than nails, to be sure. You can put them in with a drill, instead of hammering, you can get galvenized deck screws that won't rust, and they hold better.
If you use the cardboard tube forms for the concrete you will need less concrete and find it easier to set your posts straight.
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