Can we talk about setting posts with concrete versus using a foam mix?

I just finished a big vinyl fence job in Charlotte where the client insisted on the foam stuff for the posts, saying it was faster. I've always used concrete, even for vinyl, because I like the solid feel. We did half the fence with each method to compare. After a year, the foam side had two posts that started to wobble in a heavy rainstorm last month, while the concrete side is still rock solid. The foam was quicker to set up, sure, maybe saved us an hour total, but now we have a callback. The concrete mix cost about $15 more for the whole job, but I think it's worth it for the peace of mind. Has anyone else seen a real difference in long-term hold between these two methods?

3 comments

3 Comments

lindamartin15d ago

Foam's great if you want your fence to do the wave in a storm. Guess that client got the quick and wobbly special.

quinn_wood15d ago

Foam's way cheaper and faster though.

the_tessa14d ago

Cheaper and faster until you're fixing it every year, @quinn_wood. That foam breaks down in the sun way quicker than people talk about. You end up spending more time and money in the long run.