Welded wire fences can be attached to T-posts or any metal post using fence clips(T-post clips), pieces of metal wire(as a DIY alternative), or zip ties. The tool you should use depends on the expected load & tension(required sturdiness) in the fence.
In this post, we’ll discuss all about installing welded wire fences with T-posts.
How do you attach a welded wire fence to T-posts?
- Start from the corner post and unroll the welded wire fence on the studded side of the T-posts.
- Vertically align the fence & keep it touching the ground. Tie the fence to the top & stretch it from top to bottom.
- T-post clips are commonly used to attach wire fences to T-posts. Other than post clips, heavy-duty zip ties or pieces of metal wire can also work as an alternative. I personally use pieces of metal wires & telephone drop wires. Similarly, you can use any hard wire or rope.
- Starting from the top to the bottom of the fence, use 3-5 clips or other tools per T-posts. Install them at regular intervals of 1-1.5 feet.
- After tying the fence to the corner post, head toward the next T-post and slightly stretch the fence either with your hands. You can also stretch a large area fence using a fence-stretching bar.
- Similarly, tie it at least 3 times on each T-post at regular intervals.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to build a welded wire fence with T-posts:
Step 1: Gather the materials
You will need
- T-posts
- A post driver
- A level tool
- Reuired-length welded wire fence or panels
- Fence clips(T-post clips), heavy-duty zip ties or pieces of metal wires.
- A wire cutter
Step 2: Plan the fence layout
Determine the boundaries of your fence & measure the area that needs to be covered. It’ll help you choose the right number of T-posts & the required length of the welded wire fence.
Mark the corners & install rebar or stakes to remember the boundary.
Step 3: Install T-posts
While installing a T-posts fence, the most important thing is to install T-posts according to the required conditions. You should be aware of how deep to drive T-post, T-post spacing, where the T-posts should be facing & tools to drive T-posts.
How deep to drive T-posts?
For greater strength, driving at least 1/3rd of the T-posts is recommended. For example, an 8-foot T-post should be driven up to at least 2.5-2.8 feet. Mark the T-posts to remember how much should be grounded. Make sure that all posts are facing the same direction.
T-post spacing for welded wire fence:
T-posts can be spaced 8-12 feet apart depending on the fence weight, expected tension(laod) & the area to be covered. T-post spacing can be increased by adequately driving T-posts. For large area fencing, you can incorporate wood posts to increase spacing.
Where should the T-posts be facing?
The T-post studs should be facing where the fence will be installed. If you are installing a fence to keep animals inside the enclosure, install T-post’s with their studs facing toward your property.In this way, the fence will be installed inside the T-posts. It’s because the fence installed outside the posts will get untied as the animals push against the fence. Also, the animals can access the posts and push & bend them.
If you are installing the fence to keep stray animals out of your property, install T-posts with studs facing outside. Hence, a fence will be installed outside the T-posts. This way the fence won’t be untied from the posts, hence preventing intrusion in your property.
Tools to drive T-posts:
Depending on the ground hardness & the number of tools, you can use several post-driving tools:
- To drive a few posts, a manual post driver is ideal. If you don’t have one, use a simple heavy metal pipe closed from an end.
- For driving a large number of posts, an automatic post driver or a tractor/loader equipped with a bucket is great.
Make sure to keep the T-posts straight during installation. Use a Level tool to check if the fence is installed straight.
Step 4: Attach the welded wire fence to the T-posts
From a corner post, unroll the welded wire fence on the studied size of T-posts. Then vertically align the fence & temporarily attach the start & end of the fence to the T-posts to keep it straight while tying it to posts. Now, start tying the fence from the corner post. Make sure the fence touches the ground & is stretched from top to bottom.
Tools to attach wire fence to T-posts:
To tie wire fences to T-posts, fence clips, heavy-duty zip ties, or pieces of thick gauge metal wires are commonly used. However, zip ties are not as sturdy as zip ties or metal wires; hence they, they serve temporarily.
To install fence clips, wrap the U/V shape body of the clip around the T-post. Catch the closest wire of the welded wire fence into the hooks of the clips. At last, use a plier or clip bender to twist the T-post clip’s hooks around the fence wire.
If using a metal wire, wrap it multiple times around the vertical wire of the welded wire fence & the T-post over a stud. Then, twist the ends of the metal wire to each other using a plier
Attach the fence 3-5 times on each T-post at regular intervals of 1-1.5 feet, starting from top to bottom.
Stretch the fence:
Now, head toward the next post and stretch the fence horizontally. But make sure to don’t overstretch the fence, as it may bend the T-posts. Fence stretching bar along with a come along tool is commonly used to stretch wire fences. In another way, tie the fence to the corner post & stretch the fence from the end and keep tying it to the posts.
However for short area fencing, stretch the fence by hands. If you don’t have any tools, use a screwdriver to stretch the fence. Insert the screwdriver into the welded wire along the T-post. Leverage the fence horizontally by tilting the screwdriver. In this way attach the whole fence to all the T-posts.
If you’ve used welded wire fence panels, attach them using pieces of metal wires, hog rings or crimp sleeves.
Step 5: Install a gate between the fence:
Fence gates can be installed T-posts or wood posts. First, measure the length of the gate plus a couple of hinges & install gate posts leaving the distance. Whether using T-posts or wood posts for gates, install them adequately under the ground.
Two male & two female hinges are required for each gate. Male hinges get mounted to the post, the lower one facing upward & the upper one facing downwards.
To hang gate with T-posts you will need T-post hinges. They gets slided over T-posts & then the gate hinges are hooked to each other.
Similarly if using wood posts for gates, mount male higes on posts & hook them to the female hinges attached to the gate.
Step 6: Trim excess wire & check fence stability
Use a wire cutter to trim any excess wire protruding beyond the T-posts or at the end of the fence line. This will give your fence a neat and finished appearance. Test the fence’s stability by pushing on it gently to ensure it is secure.
Make sure that the fence is touching the ground. To prevent animals from digging, you can secure the bottom by burying the lower portion of the welded wire or by attaching a wire fence horizontally at the bottom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is T-post spacing for a welded wire fence?
Welded wire or other wire fence can be spaced 8-12 feet apart depending on the ground softness, animal load & weight of the fence. If the ground is soft & the posts have to bear a lot of force, keep the distance less & vice versa.
How to stretch welded wire fence?
It’s necessary to stretch the fence, especially in long runs, to keep it straight(prevent sagging). A fence stretcher bar with come-along tool is commonly used to stretch wire fences. However, you can pull the fence by hand & using a screwdriver.
How to attach welded wire fence to wood posts?
Wire fence staples are commonly used to attach welded wire & other wire fences to wood posts. You can drive them over the welded wire into wood posts using a fence staple. However, keep the fence stretched.
Conclusion
I’ve personally used all the tools, fence clips, zip ties & metal wires to attach welded wire fences to T-posts. For long-term fencing, you should install fence posts sturdily & attach the welded wire fence to the posts using fence clips. However, you can use zip ties or metal wire pieces for a temporary & low-cost fixture
If you still need any assistance, ask us in the comments.