Pros of Vinyl Fencing
- A vinyl fence will last as long as your home. The PVC does not break down and succumb to the elements the way wood or metal do. This advantage is important, because this means you most likely will not have to replace your fence. In the long run, this will save you money. Vinyl has five times the strength of wood, so it can handle heavy storms or other extreme environmental conditions. Since it is vinyl, it does not rot or rust the way wood and metal do.
- Vinyl fences do not require much maintenance. You will not have to paint a vinyl fence, no matter how long you own it. Wood fences require reapplication of stain or paint over the years to keep them intact. You will not have to replace any boards or posts, because vinyl does not rot and handles the elements very well. The vinyl is ultraviolet-resistant. This means your boards and posts will not fade in the sun, even over years of exposure.
- Initial costs are higher for a vinyl fence than a wood or metal fence. However, you will make your money back and actually save over the life of your fence because you will not have any maintenance costs. Wood and metal fences require paint and upkeep, and you must replace any pieces that break or rot. Most vinyl fence companies and manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty for their products, should something go wrong.
- Vinyl fences do not restrict the look you can have in your backyard. If you crave the look of wood for your fence, but want the longevity of vinyl, you can have it. Manufacturers fabricate the vinyl to give it the appearance of natural wood, white wood or metal. With vinyl, the piece is a solid sheet of PVC, and so the color goes all the way through the material. With wood, only the outer layers are stained, and paint only sits on the surface of a metal fence. Since vinyl is a uniform color throughout, if a scratch occurs, it will not show up the way it would on a wood or metal fence. The uniform color of vinyl hides the scratch, whereas on wood or metal the color difference makes the scratch stand out.
- One factor to keep in mind when you buy a vinyl fence is to know where the vinyl fence is made. The composition and chemicals in fences manufactured overseas can vary. This variation can mean that unacceptable levels of harmful chemicals may be in the vinyl. Without the correct chemical balance, the fence can be susceptible to damage. Another disadvantage of overseas vinyl is if you have a manufacturer warranty claim, it can be difficult for a foreign company to honor the claim. You generally have more legal rights when you deal with a company in the United States than with a foreign company.
