Fence Post Popularity in the UK (2025): Concrete vs Timber, Backed by Real Sales

Choosing the right fence post isn’t just a technical detail—it’s the backbone of a boundary that lasts. To help you decide confidently, we’ve analysed a full year of East Coast Fencing’s order data and converted it into percentages only (we don’t publish raw volumes for commercial sensitivity). The results give a clear, real-world view of what British homeowners, landscapers and fencing contractors are actually installing in 2025.

In short, wooden fence posts lead the market by a comfortable margin, while concrete fence posts remain a dependable, low-maintenance choice. This article explores the split, what’s driving it, and how to specify a complete, long-lasting system—whichever route you choose.

For quick reference to our ranges, see: fence posts, wooden fence posts, and concrete fence posts. We’ll also point you to smart pairings such as gravel boards and cement products that protect your investment.

Key Statistics at a Glance

• Wooden fence posts: ~65% share of all fence post purchases in the last 12 months.
• Concrete fence posts: ~35% share over the same period.
• Ratio of timber to concrete: ~1.86 : 1 (for roughly every 2 timber posts, there’s about 1 concrete post).

What does this tell us? Timber’s popularity is driven by cost-effectiveness, speed of handling, and design flexibility—while concrete holds its ground for longevity and low maintenance. The split also reflects installation context: front gardens and design-led schemes often prefer timber aesthetics, whereas exposed rear boundaries and rental properties frequently favour concrete’s durability.

How We Present the Data (and Why)

We aggregate completed UK orders across a 12-month window and then express category performance as percentages. This approach gives you a genuine market signal—without exposing raw figures. When we say “~65% timber”, it simply means that if you picked any fence post from a recent order, there’s about a two-in-three chance it was wooden. It’s a clean way to compare options and choose the right system for your project.

Timber Leads: Why Wooden Fence Posts Hold ~65% Share

Wooden posts remain the default for many British gardens because they balance strength, price and aesthetics. Modern treatment processes improve durability, and the posts are easy to cut on site for sloping runs or bespoke transitions. For designers and domestic customers, timber also blends effortlessly with planting and architecture.

• Versatility – Easy to trim for levels, corners and custom heights.
• Installation speed – Lighter to move, quicker to set out, and friendlier for small teams.
• Aesthetics – Warm, natural finish; easily matched to fence panels and garden gates.
• Cost-effectiveness – Particularly strong value on long domestic runs.

To maximise service life, combine timber posts with gravel boards—ideally concrete for a robust plinth, or wooden for a fully timber look. Set posts with quality cement products, and finish lines with tidy panel capping where appropriate.

Concrete’s Case: Why ~35% Still Choose Concrete Fence Posts

Concrete fence posts are the no-nonsense option for harsh weather, rental properties and low-maintenance boundaries. They don’t rot, shrug off ground contact, and pair perfectly with slotted concrete systems for fast panel swaps down the line. For many installers, concrete offers predictable performance and fewer call-backs.

• Low maintenance – No rot risk; ideal for damp or heavy clay soils.
• Serviceability – Slotted designs let you replace a damaged panel without disturbing the whole run.
• Longevity – Longer lifecycles and consistent performance on exposed sites.

For a bulletproof boundary, team concrete fence posts with concrete gravel boards and privacy-friendly closeboard fence panels. It’s a classic UK specification—and for good reason.

Popularity Index vs an Even Split

If post choices were perfectly balanced, the split would be 50/50. In reality, timber significantly outperforms the midpoint while concrete sits below it. The “Index” below uses 100 to represent the even 50% baseline.

• Timber (Wooden Posts): ~130 on the index (i.e., 65% vs a 50% baseline).
• Concrete Posts: ~70 on the index (i.e., 35% vs a 50% baseline).

What’s Driving the Split in 2025?

Market behaviour is never random—here are the practical drivers we see behind the ~65 / 35 split:

• Handling & labour – Timber’s lighter weight speeds installation, especially on smaller sites with tight access.
• Design intent – Many domestic projects put aesthetics first at the front boundary; timber’s warmth wins.
• Lifecycle thinking – Concrete appeals where ultra-low maintenance and long service life are the priority.
• Ground conditions – Damp, flood-prone or heavy clay sites push specifiers toward concrete, often with concrete gravel boards.

Choosing by Outcome: A Quick Guide

• Best for all-round value and visual warmth: wooden fence posts with gravel boards.
• Best for exposed, wet or rental properties: concrete fence posts plus concrete gravel boards.
• Best for quick domestic installs: Timber posts with rapid-set post mix.
• Best for temporary or non-dig solutions: fence post spikes & supports (great for light loads or when digging is restricted).

System Pairings That Extend Service Life

Whatever post you choose, your system is only as strong as its weakest component. Smart pairings reduce maintenance and protect your spend:

• Posts + Plinth: Add gravel boards to keep timber clear of damp ground and to provide a robust base that sheds splashback.
• Posts + Panels: Closeboard and slatted designs slot neatly with concrete systems; with timber posts, use quality fixings from screws, fixings & fasteners.
• Posts + Gates: Align style and section size with gate posts and finish with durable gate furniture.

Specification Checklist Before You Order

• Exposure & soil – Wind, waterlogging and clay content inform whether timber or concrete is smarter.
• Height & spacing – 1.8 m is common for rear boundaries; plan post centres in line with panel widths.
• Foundations – Use appropriate depth and a good cement product; bell out footings in soft ground.
• Plinth protection – Fit gravel boards—concrete for longevity, timber for aesthetics.
• Finish details – Consider panel capping for a clean, water-shedding top line.

Quick Reference: Shares, Strengths and Best Pairings

Installation Notes That Pay You Back

• Get the line right – A perfectly straight string line is the cheapest “upgrade” you can buy.
• Mind ground level – Keep soil and mulch below the gravel board to avoid constant damp at timber interfaces.
• Concrete care – Tamp properly; avoid voids. In hot weather, shade and gently dampen to reduce flash drying.
• Timber treatment – Re-coat to manufacturer guidance; seal cut ends before setting.

Design & Aesthetic Considerations

Timber frames planting beautifully and reads softer from the street—ideal for cottage gardens, contemporary schemes with slatted panels, and front boundaries that want to feel welcoming. Concrete, on the other hand, excels in subtlety when you pair it with strong planting and consistent panel rhythm; the posts visually recede while delivering decades of performance.

Whichever you choose, the post is part of a visual system. Consistent post heights, tidy capping, and aligned gate furniture elevate the whole boundary from “functional” to “finished”.

Popular Panel Pairings (Informed by Post Choice)

• Wooden posts + decorative or slatted panels – A warm, design-led look that allows light and airflow; see decorative fence panels.
• Concrete posts + closeboard panels – The UK classic for privacy and strength; start with closeboard fence panels.
• Either post + waney lap for value – A cost-sensible option that looks neat when paired with panel capping and consistent post centres; try waney lap fence panels.

Scenario Planner: Which Post for Which Job?

Cost-of-Ownership (Without Talking Prices)

We won’t quote prices here, but a simple way to think about lifetime value is installation labour + expected maintenance. Timber often wins on labour and aesthetics, especially when paired with gravel boards and good detailing. Concrete tends to win where maintenance budgets are tight and disruption must be minimised—panel swaps into slotted posts are straightforward if damage ever occurs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping gravel boards – This shortens timber lifespan and encourages splashback staining even with concrete posts.
• Shallow footings – Wind load goes exponential with height; don’t under-spec your dig.
• No line-of-sight checks – Check gates, sheds and windows; misaligned tops are always noticeable.
• Ignoring soil behaviour – Clay heave and poor drainage punish under-prepared foundations.

From Data to Decision

The last 12 months of real sales show that wooden fence posts are the UK’s most popular choice at ~65% of purchases, with concrete fence posts at ~35%. That’s not a verdict about quality—just evidence of how people balance looks, labour and longevity across different projects. If you’re not sure where your plot sits on that spectrum, use the scenario planner above and match your priorities to the relevant system.

Next Steps

Browse our full fence posts range, then choose your material route: wooden fence posts for natural warmth and flexibility or concrete fence posts for hard-wearing reliability. Don’t forget the protection and finishing touches—gravel boards, post mix, and gate furniture—to complete a system that looks smart and lasts.

Need help turning a plan into a shopping list? Tell us your site conditions (exposure, soil, length and height) and the look you’re after—we’ll suggest a complete, fit-for-purpose specification.