Putting up a vinyl fence has become common for many people in recent years. Vinyl fencing will be on your list if you are deciding which fence material to use for your fencing project. Other materials would be metal (chain link) or wood. Of course, as with any project or major purchase you are thinking about, doing your research ahead of time will save you money, time and aggravation. The following is a list of pros and cons to consider when thinking about using vinyl fencing for you new fence.
Pros of Vinyl Fencing
Vinyl fences are very low maintenance. In fact, they are, by far, the easiest fence material to maintain. They do not require paining or stain because the color is mixed right into the vinyl. They will not rust as many fences made from metal materials.
Vinyl fencing looks similar to wood, which is a definite plus for people who like the look of wood, but not the upkeep required. Today, many vinyl fences feature a wood grain feel molded right into the fence surface.
A vinyl fence will not produce splinters. This is a great benefit if you have small children or pets who like to nose around the fence. It is also a benefit if you are the one planning to install the fence. You do not have to worry about digging splinters out of anyone’s hands, feet, or nose!
They are easy to clean. To take care of the grime that will build up on the fence over time, just use a bucket of soap, a bristle brush, and the garden hose. If you wish for an even more simple solution, us a power washer and blast the grim away in one pass!
Finally, unlike wood, vinyl is immune to rot and pest infestation. It is not attractive to fungus, dry rot, or termites, which makes it the best investment fence material around.
Cons of Vinyl Fencing
The first negative that will jump out at everyone is vinyl fence prices. The initial cost is very high compared to other fence materials. In fact, the cost can easily run 75% to 100% above the cost of a wood fence of similar structure. Remember that the initial cost is offset by the time and money it would take to maintain a wood fence in the end.
Probably the biggest con of a vinyl fence is their sensitivity to heat and cold. Since vinyl is plastic, it becomes brittle in extreme cold, which can result in damage. In addition, short cycles of heating up then cooling down will make the vinyl fence posts shift and loosen due to the expanding and contracting of the material.
You are limited in the areas of color and design. While vinyl fencing has made some advances recently, it falls very short of the wide variety available in wood fencing.
This type of fencing is prone to fading, especially if the cheaper versions are used for your fencing. Ask your vinyl fence installation company to provide older samples so you can gauge how well their material holds up.
Finally, it is hard to replace just one damaged board of vinyl and you often have to replace an entire section.
In the end, you should research your vinyl fence options and choose which material will better suit your needs.