Installation Guidelines

Best Practise Tips

From a fencing perspective, Future Posts strength test as strong as timber equivalents with some additional flexibility. This can greatly add to their durability in a variety of settings, but they do need some small adjustments to regular post installation techniques.

We recommend the following during storage and installation:

STORAGE: Prior to installation, store posts strapped in their crate on a flat, shady spot.  Posts are UV stabilised but may show some slight heat movement initially until they fully anneal. Minimise post layout time pre-installation. Over time, posts will set and harden to the structure of your fence-line. The small amount of flex you may observe is the very same reason why the posts are so highly durable to vehicle knocks, animal movement etc.

POST DRIVING: Into hard ground, treat Future Posts just as you would a timber post - pre-spike or use replacement holes where available.  Accurate placement during first few hits (and shorter hits) will assist with the ultimate straightness.  For longer posts, supporting the post halfway down the beam can assist. In loose soil, straighten with quick hand ram around base of post to finish.  Posts can be concreted in place.

STAPLES / NAILS: Due to the higher density than regular timber (more like a hardwood), staples and nails have a higher grip retention. Consequently, use 40mm staples to avoid staple deformation. Start by tapping the staple a few times so the point embeds, then hit with a normal strike.  
We recommend “NZ Wire” 40mm x 4mm staples for their parallel shape and sharp tips. For staple guns use 40mm or 50mm air compressed staples.  Nail guns also work well.

"For hand stapling, we recommend “NZ Wire” 40mm x 4mm staples for their parallel shape and sharp tips which work well for this high density, hardwood-like product. Tap to embed a few times, then hit in like normal."
_{Jerome Wenzlick}

SCREWS: Use clean-threaded screws for easy installation.  Other types (e.g. type 17 notched screws) may need to be pre-drilled.  As an example, we recommend Blacks Fasteners WSSFH1050G 10g x 50 Hex Washer Head Surefast Woodscrew Class 4 or 12G 10g x 100 Razer Bugle Woodscrew Hex Class 4.

INSULATORS: Not required for electric wires because Future Posts are non-conductive. Wires can therefore be stapled directly to the post.  Insulators can, of course, be used if preferred or if your chosen fencing material requires support brackets.  Being non-conductive, Future Posts are also suited for use around transformer sites and electrical zones.