How Do I Install Concrete Post and Panel Fencing?
Concrete post and panel fencing is one of the most reliable and long-lasting fencing systems used in residential, commercial, and industrial projects. It is known for its durability, low maintenance, and clean look. This type of fencing is often used for boundaries, security, road dividers, substations, and industrial guardrails.
In this guide, we will explain how to install concrete posts and panel fencing. We’ll cover key considerations before installation, common mistakes to avoid, and how modern panel materials such as FRP molded grating fencing panels can greatly improve performance, safety, and lifespan.
Whether you are a contractor, facility manager, or property owner, this guide will help you make informed decisions and achieve a professional fencing installation.
Understanding the System: Posts, Panels, and Gravel Boards
Concrete post and panel fencing is a modular system. The vertical posts provide the structural support, while the horizontal panels fit into grooves cut into each post. This design allows for individual panel replacement if damaged, which is one of the main reasons builders prefer this style.
Before you start, it is important to understand the basic components: the posts, the interlocking panels (also known as slabs), and the gravel boards that rest at the base to stop ground moisture from seeping up into the panels.
Plan Your Layout and Mark Your Boundaries
Start by outlining the exact area you want to fence. Use string lines, marking paint, or surveyor's pegs to set a clear boundary. Measure the total length of fencing and divide it by your panel width, which is typically 1.8 metres, to figure out how many posts you'll need. Always add one extra post to your count; it's a common mistake to underestimate.
Check local planning permissions before you move forward. In many areas, fencing above a certain height, usually 1.8 metres on the boundary, requires approval from your local authority.
Dig the Post Holes
Each post needs a hole that is about three times the width of the post and at least 600mm to 750mm deep. This depth depends on the type of soil and the height of your fencing. Sandy or loose soils require deeper foundations. Clay or rocky ground may need less depth but more support.
A common rule is that one-third of the post should be underground. For a standard 2.4-meter post supporting 1.8 meters of fencing, this means burying it about 800mm below ground level. Space your holes evenly along the boundary line. Make sure to double-check the alignment with your string line as you work.
Set the Posts
Once your holes are dug, it's time to set the posts. Place each post into its hole, making sure it is perfectly vertical using a spirit level. This step is important; even a two-degree lean will be clearly visible once the panels are fitted and will weaken the entire structure.
Pour in your concrete mix; a pre-mixed rapid-set concrete works well for most DIY and professional installations. Fill the hole to ground level, smoothing the top to help water drain away from the base. Let the concrete cure completely before fitting any panels, usually taking 24 to 48 hours, depending on the product and weather conditions.
Fit the Panels
Once your posts have been set, fitting the panels is straightforward. Each panel slides into the grooves on the inside face of the posts. Start from one end and work your way along, slotting each panel into place. The panels should sit snugly — if there is noticeable movement or gaps, the post spacing may need adjustment.
Fit the gravel board first at the base of each section. This sacrificial board sits at ground level and can be replaced cheaply if it weathers or rots, protecting the main panels above it.
Cap, Seal, and Finish
Finally, fit decorative or protective caps onto the top of each post. These serve a dual purpose: they add a finished, professional appearance and prevent water from pooling on the top of the post, which is one of the leading causes of long-term cracking and degradation in concrete posts.
Apply a sealant or waterproof treatment to the posts and panels if you want to extend their lifespan and maintain a consistent colour over time.
The Problem With Concrete — And Why the Industry Is Shifting
Concrete post and panel fencing has served us well for decades. But it comes with a set of well-known drawbacks that become more
significant the larger your project is.
Concrete is heavy. Transporting and handling full-size panels and posts is labour-intensive and often requires machinery, which adds cost. It is also susceptible to cracking over time, particularly in regions with freeze-thaw cycles or high humidity. Once a concrete panel cracks, replacing it requires disassembling adjacent sections — a frustrating and time-consuming process.
Perhaps most critically for industrial and commercial applications, concrete is electrically conductive. This makes it unsuitable — and in many cases, a safety risk — for installations near electrical substations, power distribution infrastructure, or any site where electrical insulation is a regulatory requirement.
Meet the Alternative: FRP Molded Grating Fencing Panels
This is where Fibre Reinforced Polymer — commonly known as FRP — enters the picture. FRP fencing panels are engineered to outperform concrete in almost every measurable category, and they are quickly becoming the material of choice for contractors, engineers, and facility managers worldwide.
Corrosion Resistant. Unlike concrete, which degrades when exposed to moisture, chemicals, and saltwater environments, FRP panels are inherently resistant to corrosion. They perform reliably in chemical plants, waste treatment facilities, marine environments, and any other harsh setting — without the need for coatings or ongoing chemical treatment.
Electrically Non-Conductive. FRP is fully dielectric — meaning it does not conduct electricity. This makes it the ideal fencing solution for electrical substations, power stations, and any infrastructure where accidental electrical contact poses a danger. It is also non-magnetic and non-sparking, adding further layers of safety.
Lightweight and Fast to Install. FRP panels weigh up to four times less than equivalent steel gratings and a fraction of the weight of concrete. This dramatically reduces handling time, labour costs, and the need for heavy lifting equipment. Installation is quick, modular, and can be completed with basic tools and fasteners such as M-clamps or C-clamps in stainless steel (SS202 or SS304).
Anti-Aging and UV Resistant. FRP panels are manufactured with UV inhibitors built directly into the material. They do not fade, warp, or deteriorate under prolonged sun exposure — making them a genuinely maintenance-free solution over their lifespan.
Flame Retardant. Tested and certified to international standards including ASTM E-84 and ASTM D-635, FRP panels are self-extinguishing and flame-resistant, meeting the safety requirements of even the most demanding industrial environments.
Fully Customisable. Available in multiple thicknesses (17mm and 25mm), mesh configurations, surface finishes — from smooth to gritted to corrugated — and in any colour to suit your project or branding requirements.
The Bottom Line
Concrete post and panel fencing is a reliable system. For some residential uses, it is still a practical option. However, for projects that require durability, safety, chemical resistance, electrical insulation, and low maintenance, FRP fencing panels are the better choice.
They are cheaper to install, have a longer lifespan, need almost no maintenance, and meet the safety standards needed for modern infrastructure.
Ready to Make the Switch?
Get durable, cost-effective fencing solutions from Kobray contact us today to discuss your project requirements and request a quote.
If you are planning a fencing project for an electrical substation, industrial site, road divider, or commercial guardrail installation, FRP Molded Grating Fencing Panels from Kobray are engineered to deliver exactly what you need at a competitive price point starting from just AED 50.00 per square metre.
