Perhaps the biggest advantage of steel fence posts is the cost savings over wood posts, but the price tag is not the only advantage to metal over wood or vinyl. They are easy to install, they last much longer than treated lumber, and they can be fixed relatively easily when bent. They are a versatile choice for chain link fencing, wood fencing, or other types of fences that need to be strong and long-lasting. Be sure to choose high quality steel fence posts, however, as steel is prone to rusting if not galvanized.
Steel fence posts are often used on chain link fences, but they can also be used for wooden fencing. The posts can be sunk in concrete like wooden posts, but for many types of fences, this is not necessary. The metal post can be sunk directly into the ground, provided it is sunk far enough down. Concrete only adds more support and strength, however, and for security fencing, concrete may be the best option. Fence posts made from steel are strong enough to support most fencing materials, especially for residential use, and while some may argue steel fence posts are not as attractive as wood, they can be easily concealed to keep the pleasing aesthetic of the fence.
Galvanized steel fence posts should be used on any fence. Galvanizing the posts essentially means the posts have been coated in another chemical or material to help prevent rusting. This ensures the posts last a long time and do not begin to rust when exposed to the elements. Galvanized steel posts will last exponentially longer than wood posts — even treated wood posts — which tend to rot, dry out, and break after years of exposure to the elements. Steel posts do not need to be treated after purchase, like wood posts often do.
The cost savings of steel posts have an added benefit: should a post bend or break beyond repair, a replacement can be purchased cheaply and installed easily. The initial purchase price of a steel fence post is less than that of a wood or vinyl post, and if the steel post should bend, it can often be bent back into place without necessitating a replacement. Thinner gauge steel posts can also be purchased for lighter weight fencing, such as garden fencing. These posts are lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to sink into the ground; with wire secured to them, these posts can help keep unwanted pests out of the garden with minimal effort and cost.