You find yourself building or repairing a fence. Are you going to use traditional concrete or fence post foam to set your posts? Fast 2K™ fence post foam is an alternative to concrete for setting posts, poles, signs and much more. It is a two-part proprietary polymer that expands to fill the peripheral void between the post and the hole, using the same technology applied by H.B. Fuller to set utility poles for over 20 years. Explore our list of pros and cons for both concrete and fence post foam to help you determine if you should purchase expanding foam instead of concrete, or stick to the traditional way of setting posts.
Concrete to Set Fence Posts
Concrete is the traditional way to set fence posts. Concrete is known to be solid and strong; however, there are downsides to this material such as weight and long term cracking. Discover the pros and cons to concrete below.
Pros
- Cost – When comparing price, you will find that a bag of concrete will cost less than a bag of post foam.
- Heavier – Concrete weighs more than post foam material providing an anchor effect. This is beneficial for those building fences in softer ground.
- Reusable – Traditional concrete can be crushed and reused for another project.
Cons
- Heavier – You will see we are considering this a pro and also a con. Although it may provide the anchor effect, labor costs may increase and it can make for a very long and tiring project dealing with incredibly heavy bags of concrete.
- Slower Curing Time – Concrete takes at least 24-48 hours to cure completely.
- Cracking – Concrete allows water to penetrate resulting in the opportunity for expansion and contraction stress, which may lead to cracks.
- Bigger Post Hole – When using concrete, a hole for a 4” x 4” (10 x 10 cm) post has to have a diameter of at least 8” (20 cm). This is because concrete is very thick and cannot be placed in a smaller hole. There would be large air pockets in smaller holes, which would make the concrete very weak. Another con related to this would be cost. You would need more product to fill the deeper hole.
Fence Post Foam
Fence post foam from Fast 2K™ is newer to the consumer market but has been used for decades in industrial functions. This material allows for quicker and easier fence projects. Learn more about the pros and cons to fence post foam below.
Pros
- Lighter – Bags of Fast 2K™ are lighter than your typical bag of concrete making the job easier, faster and cheaper.
- Less Material – Because of its expanding nature, one bag of Fast 2K™ Expanding Backfill Composite For Fence Posts replaces up to two bags of 50 lbs (25 kg) concrete.
- Faster Curing Time – Not only does Fast 2K™ mix in 30 seconds and set within 15 minutes, the amount of time you will save with eliminating moving crews and equipment is also an advantage.
- Water-resistant – Fast 2K™ becomes water-resistant after fully cured. The versatile formula prevents water from getting into the seams of each post, thereby decreasing expected rot, rust, deterioration, and other water-related damages increasing the longevity of your fence post.
- No Water Needed – Fast 2K™ does not require water saving time and effort.
Cons
- Load Bearing Limits – The Fast 2K fence post product is not intended for use on load bearing projects. However Fast 2K does have a new deck post product that can directly replace concrete. In some applications, different hole dimensions may be required. Please consult local regulations and our ICC-ES Report for more details.
- Repairs Can Be Difficult – Most of the time a fence-post repair bracket is used for repairs that is meant to pound between the post & the concrete. If this method was used with Fast 2K™ it could crush the foam & destroy the integrity of the backfill.
As you can see there are numerous factors to consider when deciding between concrete or fence post foam for your next fencing project. Don’t just take our word for it. After reviewing these advantages and disadvantages of both products, check out our Testimonials to see successful projects that used Fast 2K™ Expanding Backfill Composite For Fence Posts.
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