Mike Holmes' Smart Fence Installation Tip Could Save Major Time

Whatever kind of fence you're putting up, one of the most important steps is getting the supporting posts right. It's also one of the most time-consuming tasks. So anything that can make the process quicker is always welcome. There's a Harbor Freight tool that makes digging the holes a whole lot easier, and then it's a question of inserting the post and backfilling to make sure it stays upright through all weathers.

Typically, concrete is used, but over on his Make It Right blog, Mike Holmes' smart fence installation tip is to use expanded foam. He recommends Sika PostFix, which can be found at Home Depot and Lowe's, but there are a number of similar products available. It's a two-part formula that is mixed in the bag, so it's quicker and easier than concrete and creates less mess. Then you simply cut the corner off and pour it in the hole.

One of the major time-saving benefits is that it sets in as little as three minutes, so you can soon be hanging fence panels or fixing wire rather than waiting all day for concrete to fully harden. Also, because these products expand into every nook and cranny, they are claimed to offer better support than concrete. Expanded foam is suitable for metal, wood, or PVC posts. It's faster than concrete, cleaner, and requires much less physical effort. It sounds like the perfect solution.

At first glance, this is another of those great tips for building the perfect fence that could save major time. However, while Mike Holmes is understandably a fan of expanded foam, there are times when concrete might still be the preferred material. Concrete is heavier, so in soft or loose soil, it may provide a better anchor than foam. Some feel concrete is more durable. It can be used in load-bearing situations, whereas Sika expressly states that their product is for "supporting non-structural posts." There's also the question of cost, although that can be tricky. A bag of expanded foam is certainly more expensive than concrete, but the foam may go further, so some quick math will be necessary to make a proper comparison.

Whether you've been thinking about one of those wood fence ideas for a stylish and private yard or you're installing a purely practical barrier, Mike Holmes' installation tip of using expanded foam could be a major time saver. However, if what you envisage will be something substantial using large, solid panels, then concrete still has a lot going for it.