The tops are usually OK because you either fit post caps or saw them at an angle to allow runoff. That's why you use triangular rails on fencing too.
The worst thing you can do (as far as rot is concerned) is have flat horizontal areas of timber to collect water like many decks are.
If you want rot free posts use concrete (even concrete rots, but not usually in a lifetime).
strike
Which isn't what TNP said but is what I said. Though perhaps not being clear enough about the anerobic nature of the below ground timber. Things do not rot in anerobic conditions, think the Bog People...
There is a "comfort zone" for the fungi/bacteria that rot the timeber that is above ground level and doesn't extend that far below it. A lot does depend on ground conditions but for yer average bit of garden soil the bit of a stake/pole more than a couple of inches below ground will take a lot longer to rot than the section at/just above ground level.
Well tanalising only retards, it doesn't stop, rot.
There arent that many 400+ year old timber franme houses..not softwood, anyway ;-)
If you want longevity, use oak, or stone, or something else.
Our 9 acres are fenced with flat topped posts in the main. They don't generally fail anywhere above ground, as describe further up this thread they rot just below the surface (of the ground).
I don't want to drive you into another coniption fit Dennipoo's, but;
Decks don't collect water. First of all, they have gaps between the boards, secondly they are built with a fall and thirdly assuming they did collect water it would be in contact with the flat edge of the board - which doesn't absorb water like end grain. And forthly if its treated with decking oil its pretty much waterproof anyway.
Awaits rabid abuse, teflon like denial, angry schoolboy rants etc...
The point is decks wont rot until they have been torn up and burnt for fuel, along with hardboard covered victorian panel doors.
The are after all, only what a tower block denizen builds when he finally makes it to suburbia. You can take the chav out of the tower block...
Some pillock will be along in a mo as he will fail to understand the above as usual.
Note the bit where it says many decks have /horizontal/ areas which he will say they don't. Which is plainly wrong as he usually is, many decks do have horizontal areas either by design or by error. Then he will deny that he can't read and start chucking abuse about as usual. I just wish he would killfile me and stop posting his cr@p.
On Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:53:52 +0100, The Natural Philosopher had this to say:
They're only there to try to avoid gardening. A sort of organic (fsvo) equivalent of crazy paving, upon which to set up a carbon-belching 'patio heater', and a loud 'steeerio' to annoy the neighbours whilst messing about with the disposable 'barby'. And of course to set off fireworks at all unreasonable hours.
In message , "dennis@home" writes
Dennis, dennis, dennis - what are you babbling on about ?
If you feel so paranoid, maybe you should look elsewhere other than uk.d-i-y for your psychiatric support
I recently bought a tanalised (well it was green anyway) newel post from Wicks - presumably made for decking. I only wanted a small part of it - but was the cheapest way of getting wood that size. And on cutting it was surprised just how far in the green went. It was closer to an inch than mm. Of course the colour got lighter towards the middle.
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