It is crucial to make sure your horses stay secure and protected. In order for your horses to safely play and frolic without you having to stress about them getting hurt or running away, you will need a horse fence! These fences can be made of various materials. Two very popular options are wood fences and vinyl fences. Wood is highly visible but can weather easily. Vinyl is aesthetically pleasing and can be easily cleaned but is often pricey. However, there are so many aspects of fences that should be considered. Vinyl fences and wood fences specifically have many contrasting traits that need to be taken into account. Here at Fencing Direct, we want to make sure you have all the knowledge you need when trying to decide what type of horse fences you need.
In agricultural settings, it is important to note that split rail fences might be your best choice. These fences look like board fences but are more rustic because they are not smooth boards. They are boards with many different angles, usually constructed 10’ O.C. We also offer this style in a number of rail counts with ranging heights of 36”, 48”, and 60”. Since these fences look so rustic, they naturally blend in well with the environment. They add rustic charm and are pretty cost-effective. Unfortunately, because these fences are so open and minimal, it does limit privacy on your land.
The biggest decision you have to make when using split-rail fences on your land is which material you should use. Although wood is an abundant material in North America (throughout the United States and Canada), it has many cons. The upkeep of wooden fences can be significant. They can get weathered over time, resulting in the need for frequent repairs and painting of the boards. We believe wood fences are less ideal than vinyl. Therefore, at Fencing Direct we offer only vinyl rail fences. For people who like the look of wood fences, we offer UV-resistant vinyl fencing with a lifetime warranty in order to combine the practical and economic benefits of vinyl fencing.
Benefits of Vinyl Horse Fencing
Vinyl fences are very adaptable and can be used for many reasons, not just for horses and other livestock. These fences mark property lines and provide perimeter security. This can be very helpful if your state law boundary lines vary. Choosing your fence boundaries is extremely important. They make a statement to your neighbors by making it clear what parts of the land belong to you. Having clear boundaries can help you avoid any possible conflicts with neighbors, trespassers, and developers. Before doing so, perhaps discussing it with your neighbor and checking some local laws could be helpful. In addition, the vinyl fence border will make your land look very cohesive and more aesthetically pleasing.
When comparing vinyl fences with wood fences, there are many reasons vinyl is more ideal. First of all, vinyl is extremely durable and hard. Unlike wood, vinyl cannot be chewed on. Some horses like to nibble on wood which wears it down, whereas vinyl is resistant to it. Vinyl is also non-toxic, so even if an animal does manage to ingest some, they will be just fine. Vinyl can also flex and bend on impact. For example, just like skyscrapers are designed to sway against force rather than to collapse, vinyl bends instead of breaking when confronted with force. This is an advantage when an aggressive or troubled animal decides to ram into the fence.
Another positive aspect of vinyl is how easy it is to install. Many homeowners even choose to install the fences themselves, which cannot be done with wood fences. To install vinyl fences, you simply have to measure out evenly spaced intervals between posts and then fix the pre-built panels vertically in the ground. This could turn into a fun project! However, if you prefer to get the fence installed professionally, Fencing Direct would be more than happy to work with you to make your vision of your property become a reality.
Once installed, vinyl fences are generally low maintenance. They are rarely weathered down from rain, wind, UV rays, or even saltwater if you live near an ocean! Even marks and stains can be washed off with a hose or soapy water. The same cannot be said of wooden fences because they require expensive staining every year. According to Homeadvisor, in 2020 the cost of staining a fence cost anywhere between 750 to 4,250. The wide range depends on the fence size, stain quality, and professional application. Imagine having to pay for this every year. Although vinyl is more expensive than wood to get installed initially, it saves you much more money over time! Vinyl resists rotting, fading, cracking, and warping. It also does not attract pests in the way that wood does. There will be no termites eating away at your vinyl fence!
Lastly, vinyl fences off a wide variety for your yard. Not only do they give your land privacy, but also can be used as picket fences or pool fences since they can be in any color you want. If you like the rustic look of wood, as previously mentioned, we even offer the option of getting a vinyl fence that looks like different wood imitations. In addition, the panels come in all sizes and heights and are many from recycled materials.
We enjoy providing our customers with the best quality vinyl and want you to feel confident about your fencing choices. By partnering with our trained professionals, you can rest assured that the stressful process of designing, purchasing, and building the fencing project will last for many years to come.
