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For most homeowners, wood and wood screws are the best materials to make concrete forms because they’re affordable, readily available, and easy to work with. Steel is a better concrete form material because you can use it thousands of times for repeated work, but this is most useful in commercial applications where one job is necessary many times over.

Unlike other fence types that require you to set posts in concrete or foam, you only need the dirt you took from the post hole for split rail fencing. Split rail fencing is initially a budget-friendly option. However, it’s not as long-lasting as other fence types, meaning you could pay more on the back end because you may need to replace fence posts or rails that come loose or rot.

There isn't a winner when comparing expanding foam versus concrete for fence posts. Both have benefits and drawbacks, depending on your budget and priorities. Expanding foam may be a better choice if you want a more eco-friendly solution that cures faster. Concrete is more affordable and durable than expanding foam, yet it is harder to work with and takes longer to cure. 

A fence post set in concrete lasts anywhere from five to over 25 years, depending on how well the concrete was applied and the fence post’s material. Untreated wood posts in concrete could last less than 10 years, but a durable, treated wood set in properly applied concrete could last a few decades. However, all fence posts will wear out eventually, so expect to need to replace your fence post every five to 15 years.