Fence Post Caps

Define your area by adding the finishing touches to your outdoor living spaces in an ornamental and decorative way with fence post caps. Fence post caps provide the look and feel of a well kept household. They are an inexpensive makeover if you are looking to sell your home, or just improve the overall look.

With so many varieties of caps to choose from you can crown your posts with white vinyl fence posts caps, copper fence post caps, or even go green with solar fence post caps. Read on to help you make your selection a little easier.

Solar anything is typically in fashion in hopes to become a little more conservation minded with energy. These caps are not going to save you hundreds on your energy bill but they surely will serve as a conservation reminder.

With these types of fence post caps you will add a distinctive accent, adding a glow to your outdoor area, and provide one more measure of additional security to your home with the ambient lighting.

The look of copper fence post caps atop of a standard 4 X 4 post is a traditional fence topper that looks great reflecting sunlight. The most common styles are the pyramid, copper ball, and plateau style. Determine the quality that you need from the thicknesses offered in these types of caps.

Don't forget to think ahead too when considering copper. The look of the post will change as time and weather exposure. This is the typical desired outcome from installing these on your fence posts. The oxidation will change the color to a patina type of finish as the climate has its effect, which is another great reason to consider the quality and thickness.

Ball top, plateau, Gothic, and the external pyramid are the common search phrases for the types of vinyl fence posts caps. They are one of the most inexpensive ways to improve your vinyl fence. Big improvement stores typically charge a premium for these locally. Shop around before spending too much on this commonly cheap DIY fix-up.

Now this is a category of fence post caps is where your creativity can really shine. There are so many options for metal types of caps in a vast array of designs, whether traditional or ornate. Installation of these caps are typically a snap with using simple adhesives and the accompanying nail and screw sets.

Some metal fence post caps add a touch of added security by preventing the fence from being climbed, yet at the same time offering a maintenance free way to decorate the surrounding fences.

I thought that I would add this personal experience that happened to me early this winter. In the Midwest during the winter, we have some pretty breezy days. One day in particular came a gust of wind that blew a couple of sections of my vinyl fence out. In order for me to make the quick repair I had to remove the fence post cap and thread the planks back in place then secure the section inside the post.

While doing this simple repair I mentioned that I had to remove the cap which is a white gothic style of cap. The installer of the fence used some sort of adhesive so strong that when removed it cracked at the base and chipped off a significant piece. Now I am in the market for a new fence post cap.

I'll let you know how the installation went.

WHAT ARE THE ACTUAL DIMENSION INSIDE THE FENCE POST CAP?

ANSWER: The common 4 x 4 cap measures 3 5/8" and 6 x 6 measures 5 5/8"

TYPICALLY, HOW BRIGHT ARE THE SOLAR FENCE POST CAPS?

ANSWER: They provide enough ambient light to be viewed decoratively and not meant for task lighting (like a spot or incandescent.)

DO COPPER FENCE POST CAPS REMAIN SHINY LIKE A NEW PENNY?

ANSWER: Most all copper fence post caps are manufactured with a thin coat of lacquer covering. As the pieces are exposed to the elements that thin coat wears away turning the shiny copper to a duller brown then to a blue-green patina look.

WHAT IS THE STANDARD INSTALLATION METHOD OF FENCE POST CAPS?

ANSWER: Typically the best method is to use an adhesive applied liberally to the inside of the cap and fastened in place on top of the post. Make sure this is where you want it because damage can happen if removed after drying.

WHAT CAN I USE TO CLEAN MY METAL FENCE POST CAPS TO PREVENT RUST?

ANSWER: A mixture of vinegar and club soda used every so often will help maintain the factory coating on stainless steel caps.

Photo credit: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Soapy-Ammonia-Cleaning...