Pros and Cons of Vinyl Fencing (Vinyl Fence Problems)
Vinyl fences are the most common types of fences current homeowners prefer, and it’s predicted that they will continue to remain a trend even for the next ten years. Buying a good fence for your home can be confusing, especially with many brands out there. If you don’t consider the drawbacks of the type of vinyl fence to choose for your home, you might get disappointed for falling for the wrong reasons.
But, what are vinyl fences anyway?
What is vinyl fencing?
Vinyl fences are made of polyvinyl chloride, shortened as vinyl. During the production process, polyvinyl chloride is mixed with other ingredients such as titanium oxide to produce high quality, strong and durable vinyl fence.
Is vinyl good for fencing?
Vinyl fences are strong, durable, and resistant to moisture and have other benefits making them a good fencing choice for modern homeowners. If you want to use them for your home, they will make a good match.
Pros and Cons of Vinyl Fencing
Cons of vinyl fencing
Despite being strong, durable, and flexible, among its other benefits, vinyl fences have some disadvantages that you should consider before finally choosing to fence your home with them.
Below are the problems you might face when you decide to buy a vinyl fence:
1. Very expensive
Vinyl fence is made of polyethylene and chloride materials (PVC), and other ingredients such as titanium oxide are added during processing. Because of vinyl’s expensive initial production cost, its upfront cost is higher than wood and other fencing materials.
If you want to fence your home on a budget, a vinyl fence may not make the best fit for you because of the high upfront cost and other costs that arise during installation.
2. The vinyl material may brittle over time
Flexibility to different weather changes is one of the advantages of a vinyl fence as the material expands or contracts to depend on the weather. While this is advantageous to you, the expansion and contraction of the material sometimes aren’t uniform with the surrounding weather conditions, making it easily broken over time.
If the fence breaks because of its fragility, you will have to budget for repairing your fence, which is costly.
3. High installation cost
While one can easily install wood fences, that’s not usually the case with all vinyl fences. Some of them, e.g., Zippy outport Newport, have difficult permanent installation processes requiring expert skills. Hiring an installation expert is expensive, hence increasing the overall cost of the fence.
4. Color fades over time
Many vinyl fences have varying quality levels depending on the manufacturer, materials, and ingredients used during production. If you go for the cheaper, low–quality vinyl fences, expect them to fade over time.
Fading vinyl fences have an unsightly look to your home, and you will need to replace or repaint them often. Repainting or replacing faded vinyl fences increases overall costs; therefore, buy high-quality ones from reputable manufacturers to avoid extra costs.
5. Has no close natural appeal
While some vinyl fence manufacturers produce a vinyl fence with a natural wooden look, it is not always the case when you closely view the fence. It lacks the natural wooden look that is deceptive from a far distance. Because of this unnatural look, if you prefer the natural appeal that wood provides, a vinyl fence might not be the right fit for you.
How long does vinyl fence last?
The lifespan of a vinyl fence is approximately 20- 30 years. But this depends on the quality of the product, manufacturer, and how effective it was installed( by a professional for durability). A high-quality vinyl fence made by reputable manufacturers is bound to last longer as expected. They are made of quality virgin vinyl and titanium oxide to prevent yellowing and discoloration and are flexible to temperature changes. If you go for the cheaper options and low-quality brands, your fence will not last long.
Best vinyl fence
Vinyl fences exist in different varieties, and each has its best fair use. Below are the three best vinyl fences filtered out depending on their most outstanding benefits.
1. White linded- best for privacy
White linded provides the high security and privacy you need for your home. It’s 6 feet tall, and its pickets are fixed closely with no gaps, providing safety even for your larger dogs.
Highlighted Features
- Has a panel kit, clips
- Has no gaps
- 6*8 feet long
Pros
- Easy to install
- Withstands moisture and rains
- Lightweight
- High privacy and security
- Durable
- Requires no painting
Cons
Has no product warranty
2. Premium picket property barrier with classic vinyl by WamBam
This design of a vinyl fence is a top pick because it’s an all-around fence. While it provides the maximum security you need, it has a traditional design making it stylish, and it’s affordable too.
Highlighted features
- 4*6 tall and wide
- Omnidirectional posts
Pros
- Affordable
- Stable
- Stylish has a traditional design
Cons
- Difficult to assemble
- Catches germs
3. Zippity Outport Newport
Want to purchase a vinyl fence but on a tight budget? Zippity Outport Newport is the right fence for you. It’s easy to install, has little to no maintenance required as it doesn’t crack, turn yellow, or splinter. The best part of this fence is it comes with a ten-year warranty.
Highlighted features
- Doesn’t crack or turn yellow
- Has UV inhibitors
Pros
- Easy to install
- No maintenance
- Resistant to moisture and rust
- Durable
- Ten-year warranty
- Permanent installation
Cons
- Requires special tools to remove
How to choose Vinyl Fence
With a wide variety of vinyl fences in the market from different brands and manufacturers, you can get confused about the right type of fence to choose for your home. Having a clearer picture of what you want will save you time, money, and energy when shopping for a fence.
Here is a guide to help you clear your confusion when choosing a vinyl fence for your home:
1. Know your budget
The entire cost of vinyl fences varies depending on different manufacturers, brands, installation costs, labor, and other small miscellaneous expenditures that may arise when buying your vinyl fence.
While high-cost vinyl products promise high quality, it’s good to know what amount of money you want to spend, so you don’t overspend or underspend.
2. Know the aesthetic you want
Vinyl fences vary depending on the shapes of the upper part, length, appearance, and whether they touch the ground from below or not to give your home the aesthetic you desire. Some fences have fixed pickets with no gaps for maximum security, while others have gaps for obscuring outside views while still giving a little security. There are also vinyl fences with traditional designs, while others have a modern finish.
Remember to consider the design you want to have your home looking sightly.
3. Check the product’s warranty
Vinyl fences are known to be strong; experts say five times stronger than wood, durable, and resistant to moisture and humidity.
These qualities make most people prefer them to wood fences. Over time, they brittle and may splinter easily or can bend from the strong winds.
When buying your vinyl fence, get it from trusted, long known reputable brands with a warranty. If anything happens or your fence before the warranty expires, trace your manufacturer and get a replacement or repair.
4. Confirm the thickness of the fence
Strong, durable vinyl fences have a recommended thickness of .140. Some manufacturers produce thinner fences to cut production costs. Such fences are weak, cannot stand strong winds, and have a short lifespan.
While choosing a vinyl fence, confirm its thickness to ensure it isn’t thinner than recommended so you don’t waste your money on a low-quality fence that will spoil quickly.
Sources and References
- Janet L. Schmidt, Whitman County Extension Director, Washington State University. Mark D. Heitstuman, Asotin and Garfield County Extension Director, Washington State University: Fencing Consideration for Livestock Owners.
