Post Braces for Corners, Ends, and Gates

Fence braces for corners, ends, and gates are ordinary round metal posts with one or two bracing posts attached to them at a roughly 45 degree angle. These braces are expensive, but the cost is mitigated by the fact that each of them replaces one regular post. So if you face a major threat from heavy snow, falling branches, or repeated deer impacts, and if you prefer them to earth anchors, go ahead and use them even if your fence is short.

Noting that these fence braces are sold in pairs, get one pair of corner braces for two corners and/or one pair of end/gate braces for two ends or one gate.

Regarding installation of these fence braces, each post and side brace should ideally be placed in a cement footing.  In other words, three cement footings should be created for each corner brace and two cement footings should be created for each end or gate brace. Alternatively, a less ideal solution is to put a cinder block or “dead man” at the end of each post and side brace, positioned so that if a strong force is applied to the system neither the main post nor the side brace(s) will move.