Look closely at an older timber fence and you'll usually see it first at the top of the posts: grey, open grain, fine cracks, sometimes a soft spot where water has been sitting. The top of a post takes more weather than any other part of the fence, and it's the easiest part to protect.
The short answer: yes. A post cap covers the exposed top of the post and stops water getting into it, which is where a lot of cracking, splitting and rot starts. It's one of the simplest things you can do to help a timber fence last.
Why the top of a timber post is the weak spot
The sides of a timber post shed water fairly well. The top is different. When a post is cut to height, the cut exposes the end grain, the open ends of the wood fibres, and end grain soaks up water far more readily than the sides.
- It absorbs water. Rain sits on a flat post top and soaks straight down into the end grain.
- It cracks and splits. Each cycle of soaking and drying in the sun makes the timber swell and shrink, which opens up cracks across the top and down the post.
- It holds moisture. Once cracks open, they trap more water, and damp timber is where rot takes hold.
Treated timber resists rot, but cutting a post to height exposes timber at the top, so even treated posts benefit from protection there.
What a post cap does
A cap puts a solid, weatherproof cover over the most exposed part of the post:
- Keeps water out of the top of the post, so rain runs off instead of soaking into the end grain
- Shields the top from direct sun, which helps reduce the drying and cracking cycle
- Finishes the fence, turning a plain, weathering post top into a detail that looks intentional
A Ledro House post top won't rot, crack or split, so the part of the fence that usually ages first becomes the part that stays looking new.
Choosing a cap for a timber post
Ledro House post tops fit timber posts in one of two ways. Both cover the top of the post.
- Caps that fit over the post, such as the Paris and Chateau, slide down over the top and cover the end grain and the upper edges of the post. Each is made with an internal opening 2mm larger than your post, so it slides on neatly and sits snug.
- Caps that sit on top of the post, such as the Round Globe and Jardin, cover the flat top of the post and screw onto an included lag bolt fixed into the timber.
Whichever you choose, order the size that matches your post. Every Ledro House post top is made to suit any post size, so older or non-standard posts are covered too. Our sizing guide shows how to measure.
Fitting caps to existing timber posts
- Check the top of the post. It should be sound, clean and dry. If the post has been cut unevenly, trim it square first.
- Seal the cut top. If you've just cut the post, paint or seal the exposed end before capping it, as you would any freshly cut timber.
- Paint your post tops first. Use a good quality exterior paint such as Dulux Weathershield. No sanding or primer is needed. Painting before you install is easier and keeps paint off your fence.
- Fit the cap. Slide over-post caps down until they sit evenly, or fix the lag bolt and screw sit-on-top caps down until they sit flat and firm.
Our painting and installation guide goes through each step in detail.
Quick answers
Do post caps stop fence posts rotting?
A cap stops water getting into the top of the post, which is where a lot of rot starts. Good drainage at the base and sound timber matter too, but capping the top is one of the easiest ways to help a post last.
Do treated pine posts need caps?
They benefit from them. Cutting a post to height exposes timber at the top, and a cap keeps water out of that cut end.
Can I cap posts on an existing fence?
Yes. Measure your posts, order the matching size and fit the caps to the posts as they stand.
Do the caps themselves need maintenance?
Very little. Wash them with warm soapy water and a soft sponge when you clean the fence, and repaint them when you repaint the fence.
Protect your posts, and finish your fence
Ledro House post tops are made in Australia, made to suit any post size, and suitable for Australian conditions once painted. They keep water out of your posts and give your fence a finished, considered look.
Browse our traditional post tops and contemporary post tops, or email [email protected] for help choosing the right size.