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Retaining walls and fences do more than just hold back soil; they beautifully define your garden space, creating charming transitions between different outdoor areas. They're not just practical; they can be stunning elements of outdoor design.
If this is the type of project you are looking to start, one of the key considerations is obviously the type of materials you use. You’re going to need a strong support system so that your fence remains stable, secure and strong, even in the harshest weather conditions. This is where steel beams come in; steel beams simply provide the strength and support that other materials lack.
At this time of year (spring) we typically get a large number of enquiries from contractors and home users looking for advice on the best steel beams to use for their project, and while we cannot necessarily answer that question, we can point you in the right direction.
The materials you use will dictate the strength of the steel supporting beams you need. Different fencing materials have different weights and will require different load-bearing needs from the steel support beams.
Short fences exert less pressure on the steel fence posts than large fences due to the increased surface area exposed to the wind. As the height of the fence increases, so does the requirement for stronger, larger steel beams.
Different sized RSJ beams have different sized channels where your materials will slide in.
When selecting the steel beam fence posts for your retaining wall you need to pay close attention to this and ensure you obtain the right steel support beam for the size of materials you plan to use to build your fence or retaining wall.
To protect the beams from rust and weathering, you have a couple of options. We can apply a rust-resistant primer paint, allowing to then add another layer of protective paint, or we can galvanise the steel beam fence posts for an additional cost.
The ideal materials to use for your RSJ fence posts are Universal Columns and Parallel Flange Channels (PFC's). PFC's are used for the end posts, as they have a single channel to insert your sleeper posts in to. Universal Columns (also know as H Beams) are used for the intermediate fence posts, as they have a channel each side, so sleeper posts can be inserted both sides.
We have provided a list of the specifications of each size of Universal Column and Channel down below, which will allow you to work out exactly which size you need for your RSJ fence posts.
Once you've picked the sizes you need, just hop over to our product pages and enter the lengths you need to get an instant quote. If you need the posts primer painting, you can get a price via the website for that too. If you require galvanising, or are unsure of any details, then get in touch for a quote.
Remember to always prioritise safety and consult with a professional if you are unsure about any aspect of the process. Always consult a structural engineer before building a retaining wall using RSJ steel beams. or fence.
Universal Columns (also know as H Beams) are used for the intermediate fence posts, as they have a channel each side, so sleeper posts can be inserted both sides.
You can click the sizes on the table below to go directly to the product.
Depth mm
(h)
Width mm
(b)
Web mm
(s)
Flange mm
(t)
Root Radius
mm (r)
Depth between
fillets mm (d)
Parallel Flange Channel's are often used for the end posts in a fence structure, as they have a single channel to insert your sleeper posts in to.