Picking the most pleasing fence for your home can be a difficult task. The dilemma begins with the fact that you have a plethora of options to choose from, such as vinyl.
Fence installation is an excellent way to add protection, anonymity, and aesthetic appeal to your residence.
There are numerous alternatives available in the market if you search for the perfect type of fence with curb appeal for your residence.
Vinyl fence is a popular choice among fencing experts for various reasons, such as minimal price, distinctiveness, extreme weather resistance and ease of maintenance.
Vinyl fences are crafted from a plastic called Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). There are various ways of installing vinyl boards in the style of wood fencing.
Vinyl fences are typically installed using an interlocking procedure. They come in a wide range of hues and patterns, with either natural wood or a smooth finish.
If you are looking forward to investing in a vinyl fence, you should carefully consider the benefits and drawbacks of this type of fencing.
By doing so, you will be in a better spot to make an informed judgment about whether installing vinyl fencing is right for you.
Table of Contents
Pros of vinyl fencing
There are numerous advantages to placing a vinyl fence on your asset. Here are some of the main benefits of vinyl fencing:
1. Versatility In Design
The incredible feature of vinyl fences is that they come in various styles. There are heaps of options to select from, ranging from standard colors like white or brown to more glamorous patterns like wood-grain or brickwork, and you are sure to find one that accentuates your residence.
If you want personal space, choose a fence with planks that are close together to prevent outside the display.
You can also incorporate accent pieces like a crystalline structure, a serrated upper, or post hoods.
Even though most people choose a four- to six-foot-tall fence, broader and smaller choices are available.
Furthermore, vinyl material isn’t just for keeping your backyard safe. You can also place one around your swimming pool for protection or flower beds to make them stand out.
2. Low-Maintenance Upkeep
Consider the fencing materials like a new plant you got from the nursery. Like a fussy African violet, wood can be demanding about love and care.
While it looks great when bright and shiny, wood usually necessitates staining, painting, and numerous treatments.
Conversely, a Vinyl fence material is like a trustworthy and evergreen snake plant. Vinyl rarely asks anything of its holder.
Although you may want to clean it down now and then, vinyl will remain appealing and sturdy without maintenance requirements.
It is also built to last a lifetime, and most fencing structures have warranty coverage. You will not have to expend money substituting or fixing the fence in a few years.
3. Durable Against Water Damage
Pigments and waterproofing may be applied to wood fences to safeguard them from moisture.
However, the chemical only goes so far and eventually fails. When those barrier properties wear off, your wood fence can quickly erode.
That is why your wood fence should be cleaned and painted or stained every 2 to 3 years. Vinyl, on the other extreme, is innately resistant to moisture.
Its resistance to water content does not deteriorate over time, so you can consider it to have a long and productive life.
Vinyl fences are also more resistant to water than metal fences such as chain link guardrails. They are not prone to rust problems, unlike metal fences.
4. Clean And Modern Look
Although it may sound strange to assume a fence would dazzle anyone, the truth is that every detail matters when accepting a stylish and remarkable approach to interior design.
In contrast to the more gritty and old appearance of wood and other conventional fencing material selections, vinyl fencing has a lovely, smooth, almost shiny finish.
Furthermore, a new vinyl fence will distinguish your home from your neighbors and friends without being intrusive.
Imagine a row of weathered, moldy wooden fences and your gleaming white fence encircling your lawn.
5. Safety
A fence is often considered a security precaution for your property but can also represent a concern.
Traditional wood fences disintegrate over time, mainly if your children play against them; you may find yourself plucking out splinters one after another.
In addition to splinters, wood fences can readily catch fire. Vinyl fencing is exceptionally resistant to fire.
A vinyl privacy fence can also transform your open-air garden into a private retreat. Additionally, vinyl fencing can fractionally boost the value of your property.
Cons of vinyl fencing
There aren’t many drawbacks to vinyl fencing, but a few things to keep in mind when looking for alternatives. Here are some of the major cons of vinyl fences:
1. More Expensive
In a broad sense, vinyl fencing costs more than other fence types. The initial cost of a vinyl fence varies by market and is determined by shape, height, and current resource costs. The labor cost will also differ from one contracting company to the next.
If you discover some cheap vinyl fences whose prices are significantly lower than others, this could indicate that the vinyl is of poorer quality.
Thinner vinyl is more easily punctured or compromised than premium thicker vinyl, which is sturdy and long-lasting.
Titanium Dioxide is added to top-quality vinyl compositions to safeguard your fence from UV rays. High-quality vinyl fences will be puffier and less susceptible to impact damage.
We recommend using a higher-end product for choice of longevity and higher weather damage resistance.
2. Installation Is Complicated
Setting up a vinyl fence takes at least two people and a few days. Various fencing styles require different types of arrangement and configuration.
Based on the fence style and construction company, repairing a vinyl fence can be difficult.
Posts for a vinyl fence must be positioned in cement, which takes time to dry. Because posts cannot be relocated after that point, installation must be done correctly.
Because of the posts and concrete, vinyl fences are unsuitable for transitory use. They cannot be relocated once fitted.
While installing a vinyl fence does not require much hard work, it does not provide the gratification of a DIY project because the fencing is prefabricated.
3. Less Natural Look
Everyone has their sense of style, and some property owners prefer a woodsy appearance.
This entails a significant amount of wood and other natural elements. But sadly, vinyl fencing is formed with computerized simulated wood grain.
From a distance, it appears to be natural wood. But once you get close, it is clear that the barrier is made of vinyl.
This may not be a matter of worry if you tend to favor a contemporary style. Those looking for a more natural look may have difficulty finding vinyl that lives up to the hype when standing only a few inches away.
4. Lack Of Strength And Repairability
Vinyl fencing, in general, is not as durable as other forms of fencing. Vinyl fences are not as durable as wood fences and are not as flexible as chain-linked fences when absorbing impact.
Vinyl fencing can also become fragile (tolerance -22 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit) when exposed to severe temperatures.
It is not suggested for use in locations with high temperatures and direct sunlight all of the time.
When attacked by severe gale force winds, vinyl fencing might flex, or slats can become detached. Long-term exposure to solid winds might result in irreparable harm.
Regarding disintegration, vinyl fencing has another drawback: because the parts fit and click together, they are not secured with nails or screws like wood or chain-linked fencing and shatter more quickly.
When this happens, they are unrepairable, and the homeowner is confronted with the expense of replacing an entire fence component.
5. Eco-unfriendliness And Mildew Occurences
Vinyl fencing comprises a plastic blend, less environmentally beneficial than fencing made of a renewable resource such as timber.
You should not install vinyl fencing in regions where it will be frequently exposed to rain, as mildew is likely to develop.
If you have a sprinkler on your grass, keep it away from the vinyl fence. If mildew emerges and is not removed soon, the vinyl will become permanently stained.
Use bleach or other non-eco-friendly chemical remedies to remove and prevent stubborn mildew.
Summary of vinyl fencing pros and cons
| Pros |
|---|
| Versatility In Design |
| Low-Maintenance Upkeep |
| Durable Against Water Damage |
| Clean And Modern Look |
| Safety |
| Cons |
|---|
| More Expensive |
| Installation Is Complicated |
| Less Natural Look |
| Lack Of Strength And Repairability |
| Eco-unfriendliness And Mildew Occurences |
Essentially, vinyl fencing is designed to be a durable, low-maintenance fencing option. Developments in production have made vinyl a competitive rival for conventional fencing solutions as the industry continues to evolve.
After analyzing and comparing the benefits and drawbacks of vinyl fencing, you must decide whether to install it yourself or hire an expert. A vinyl fence is relatively simple to install compared to other fencing materials.
Want to know more about home improvement? Here are some pros and cons of other aesthetic possibilities for your home. What is better, cork flooring or laminate flooring?
(Last Updated on August 31, 2022)
