PVC Fencing: The Pros and Cons
Are you considering installing a PVC fence around your property? If so, you’re likely wondering if it’s the right choice for you. In this blog post, we will discuss the pros and cons of PVC fencing so that you can make an informed decision.
What Are the Pros and Cons of PVC Fencing?
There are both advantages and disadvantages to using vinyl fencing. This plastic-based substance composed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is low-maintenance. It does not decay, attract insects, or require refinishing. It comes in several colors and styles, from short picket fences to tall privacy fences.
Some people choose to install wood-like siding on their homes. This material can be textured to make it look like wood. However, the initial installation costs can be high, and extreme weather can damage the material. Even so, many people think the pros of this material outweigh the cons.
Pros
- Low-maintenance
- High-quality vinyl can resemble traditional wood
- Won’t splinter or rot
- Easily cleaned
Cons
- Extreme weather can damage the material
- Not a natural material
- High initial costs
- Algae, mold, and mildew can cause staining
Vinyl Fencing Cost
The average cost of a vinyl fence in the U.S. is around $3,600. This is about $20 per linear square foot for picket style and about $40 per linear square foot for taller privacy fences. Labor costs range from $35 to $50 per hour on average. In comparison, the average cost of a wood fence is around $2,800, with materials and labor ranging from $15 to $45 per linear foot.
Some things that can raise the price of your fence are fence post caps, texturing, lattice effects, and gates. The thickness of the material itself also affects the price. Cheap vinyl fences are usually thin and can be easily dented or damaged. If you want to save money, go with a simple design instead of a lower-quality material.
Maintenance and Repair
Vinyl fences are easy to maintain. They don’t need to be painted or stained, and they don’t easily get scratched. Vinyl is also nonporous, so if your fence gets dirty, you can just spray it with a hose and wash the surface off. It is a good product for people with pets or kids since there won’t be any splinters like a fence made of wood. Also, wood is more prone to getting chewed off by pests, including termites and wasps, especially if it’s built near a wasps nest.
If mold, algae, or mildew starts to grow on your fence, it will be hard to get rid of. But you can try to clean it off with water and dish soap. Try cleaning the fence with a hose and then scrubbing the parts with mold or algae on them with water and dish soap. Rinse the area, and then you should get rid of the stain.
Repairs might be a little tricky with the vinyl fence. If it breaks, you might have to replace the whole panel of fences or just one picket, depending on what is broken. Repairs are different if it is wood because you only need to replace one board or post instead of the whole panel. The price may vary depending on what is broken, but for example, if it costs $5 for one picket and $250-$800 for materials and labor when repairing an entire panel.
Design
Vinyl fences come in many different designs. You can get tall fences that are private and have slats close together so people can’t see through them. You can also get fences with pickets with slats that are more spaced out. You can add accents, such as lattice at the top of the fence, a scalloped top, or decorative post caps.
There are even fences that look like iron fences. It is narrow with pointed tops. Most people choose a fence that is 4-6 feet tall. Before starting your project, you should check for local restrictions because most cities have regulations about what type of fence you can have at home.
Vinyl fences are available in a variety of colors. White, tan, brown, gray, or black are all options. Green, blue, and red vinyl fences are available. You can also have the vinyl be textured to look like other materials, including wood or stucco.
Vinyl fencing can be installed to segment off a part of your yard. For example, you can use it to create a security and privacy fence around your backyard. You can also use it around a pool for safety or put it around garden beds or other areas of your lawn that you want to stand out.
Vinyl Fence Installation
Install a vinyl fence yourself if you have an intermediate skill level. Vinyl fences come in kits, and the only thing you need to do is put them together. For shorter picket fences, just pound the pipes into the ground and add posts over them. Then fit together rails and pickets. But for taller installations, you need to use a special post-hole digger and quick-set cement to hold the posts in place. It’s best left to professional fence companies.
You will need to dig into the soil to put up this fence. You should not do this when the ground is frozen. The project should last one or two days, depending on where you are putting up the fence. Make sure you get permits and have utilities marked before you begin. The biggest challenges in building a fence are working around utility lines and other structures, like trees. This is something you need to consider, especially if you are planning to build a swing on your tree for your kids to enjoy. That is why it is important to map out the fence’s exact line before beginning work.
There are no shortcuts to installing a vinyl fence. If you want to be efficient, follow the instructions given with your kit. Building an unstable fence can be hard or impossible if you improvise with materials.
You can visit this site to learn more about the pros and cons of PVC fencing.
Frequently Asked Questions about PVC Fencing
Is PVC fencing cheaper than wood?
Wood costs less at first. But vinyl lasts for a long time. Many people prefer the look of wood fences, but they break down more quickly.
What are the disadvantages of PVC fencing?
Even though the manufacturing of PVC colors has improved, they will fade or yellow in direct sunlight over time. The fence might look weak compared to other fences. Extreme temperatures can also make the vinyl brittle, making it more likely to crack or break.
Is PVC fencing any good?
PVC fences do not rust, and they last a long time. The color will not fade in the sun. The fence will also not warp, rot, or rust. This is a great choice for a fence! We only use the best PVC fences at Jim’s Fencing, which means the warranty can be up to 50 years, depending on the supplier.
How long do PVC fences last?
A well-maintained vinyl fence can last for decades, sometimes even up to 30 years. Vinyl fences usually last longer than wood fences.
What is the cheapest fence to install?
The cheapest way to create a fence for your home is by getting one made from PVC. This type of fence uses PVC sleeves to improve the stability of wooden posts. This reduces the cost of material and labor.
Which is better, PVC or vinyl fence?
PVC fences are strong and lightweight. They are also less expensive to produce and last longer than other types of fences. However, calling a vinyl fence a “PVC fence” is not accurate because vinyl fences contain more than just PVC.
What is more expensive, wood or vinyl fencing?
Installing a vinyl fence is cheaper than installing wood. Wood costs $2 to $10 per picket, while vinyl costs $2 and $6.
Are our vinyl fences tacky?
It is never a good idea to put anything made of vinyl near your home. It will look very tacky, and people will tell it is not real wood. You should avoid using vinyl products near your house, especially if visible from the street.
Why is a vinyl fence so expensive?
Vinyl fencing is expensive because it is made with two complex layers of PVC. The manufacturing process involves high-temperature melding and co-extrusion. UV inhibitors, acrylic modifiers, and impact-resistant polymers are also included to make the fence more durable.
Is PVC fencing expensive?
PVC fencing costs more than timber fencing when you first buy it, but it is more cost-effective in the long term. PVC doesn’t need to be painted, and the posts and rails don’t rot, so you won’t have to replace them as often. This means that over 20 years, a PVC fence can cost less than half the cost of a timber fence.
Do vinyl fences break easily?
If something hits your vinyl fence, it might break. But usually, it doesn’t if it is installed properly. If something does happen to it, the planks, pickets, and rails can easily be replaced.
How long does a white PVC fence last?
The life expectancy of a vinyl fence is 20-30 years. It can be different for each brand and quality of the vinyl fence. To find out how long a specific vinyl fence will last, look at the warranty from the manufacturer.