What Post Cap Size Do I Need for My Deck Post or Fence Post?

How to Find Your Perfect Post Cap Size Quick

One of the easiest ways to take your backyard deck, patio, or fence from everyday to exceptional is polishing off your space with a gorgeous and stylish post cap. Post caps add a touch of detail to your outdoor space while protecting your posts and hardware from everyday water, dirt, and debris. In short, post caps are an ingenious way to complete your look and add function. From natural wood to powder-coated aluminum, solar lighting to low-voltage, the perfect post cap can enhance the entire atmosphere of your outdoor living space.

 

How to find the deck or fence post cap size you need for your project in seconds.


First, grab a tape measure or ruler and use it to find the measurements for 2 of the outside surfaces of your deck or fence post, as shown in the diagram below. Once you've found the measurement to the closest 1/16 of an inch, write it down for easy reference. Common post sizes include 4x4 posts, 6x6 posts, and 4x6 posts.

Measure the outside spans of your deck or fence post to find the perfect post cap opening size.


Once you've found the true measurement of your post width, finding your perfect post cap opening size for your deck or fence post is a breeze.The ideal fence or deck post opening size is between 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch larger than the width of your post. This will allow the post cap to sit snugly atop your post without blowing over and away in the wind. Here's a magnified view of an inch laid out on a ruler, this can help you keep different fractions clear so choosing the right size every time can be easy.

Want to know the perfect post cap size for your deck, fence or mailbox? Check out this convenient, magnified ruler.


To understand how each specific dimension of your desired post cap will affect the final look, we've included a helpful dimensions guide below. This can help you determine how low onto your post you would like your cap to sit, as well as how grand or low-key you want your post caps to look once installed on your posts. Perfect for illuminating, completing, and protecting your projects, post caps are a gorgeous choice for everything from decks and fence posts to mailboxes and pergolas. Bring your dream deck design or outdoor living idea out into reality with DecksDirect.

 
 

Learn how to measure and find your perfect deck or fence post cap size every time.

Want to take your deck, patio or backyard project to the next level? Give one of our experienced Deck Designers a call at 1-888-824-5316 and we can help get your project moving so you can still show it off this summer.

Find Your Perfect Post Cap Today