Ten-Year Independent Field Trial Results

Independent ten-year field trials have confirmed that dual-layer composite ground-line barrier technology delivers long-term protection against decay in timber installed in ground contact.

The full-scale, field trials were conducted at two UK telecom test sites and independently reported by the Building Research Establishment (BRE). While originally undertaken on utility poles using Polesaver® Rot-Guard™ sleeves, the findings are directly relevant to Postsaver®, which uses the same proven technology to protect fence posts and landscaping timbers at the critical ground-line zone.

Preservative-treated timber was installed both with and without dual-layer ground-line barrier sleeves and monitored for moisture, visual condition, and decay over a ten-year period in contrasting environments, one urban, one wet and rural.

After a decade of exposure, the results demonstrated clear performance advantages for sleeved timber poles. All sleeved poles remained sound and free from decay, with average moisture levels approximately 20% lower than those measured in un-sleeved poles. In contrast, decay was identified in un-sleeved timber poles at both sites, which also exhibited wetting and visible algae growth, while the protected timber above the sleeve remained visibly dry.

Trial Design and Test Environments

The trials were designed to reflect typical UK pole installation environments:

Peterborough: Poles installed in tarmac to represent built up, urban environments.

Penistone: Poles installed in an open field with wet ground conditions, with tree shading limiting drying.

Treated Control Pole

Condition: Slight softening at 0cm with screwdriver penetration up to 10mm in places, indicating decay. The pole surface was visibly wet and algae growth was observed.

Treated, Sleeve Protected Pole

Condition: Sound. The ground-line section above the sleeve was dry and the pole surface was clean.

For fencing and landscaping applications, Postsaver® provides critical protection by isolating timber from soil and moisture at ground level, the point where most posts fail. The trial confirms that barrier sleeves dramatically reduce the risk of decay. For fencing contractors, landscapers, specifiers, and asset owners, this translates into longer-lasting posts, fewer replacements, and lower whole-life costs.

“This latest report summarises another successful field trial for the dual-layer rot prevention technology used in our products. It clearly shows that isolating the ground-line zone delivers real, long-term performance benefits. This latest trial, and a 25 year field trial on test stakes at another site, are ongoing so this is only the story so far.” said Tony Young, Head of Sales for Postsaver®.

For a market where premature ground-line failure is common, these rare long-term field results provide a strong case for specifying Postsaver® as a simple, effective solution to extend post life and improve sustainability.