Fences are available in different materials, but vinyl fencing is popular because of its affordability and versatility. Apart from being affordable, these fences are very easy to maintain and won’t be damaged due to sunlight or termites. Vinyl fencing has now proven to be a good substitute for wood fences and are much longer lasting.

At first, you might think that vinyl is not ideal for fencing, but it is, in fact, a great substitute for other fencing materials these days. You may have also noticed that some of the most beautiful and luxurious houses in your area showcase stylish and beautiful vinyl fences.

If you aren't satisfied with the fencing for your yard, consider installing a vinyl fence with all the benefits they offer.

Durability

Vinyl is a very sturdy material and is able to withstand extreme weather conditions such as strong winds and heavy rainfall. It also has the ability to withstand exposure to humidity and salt water, which prevents it from being damaged. One big advantage of this type of fencing is that it doesn't absorb moisture and thus, it won't peel or blister. Vinyl fencing can also be used to keep animals inside as they can't chew it. However, with wood, there is a chance that animals might chew it up.

Vinyl can also be used for privacy fencing as it doesn't decompose or rot. You also don't have to worry about damage caused by water, salt, rust, termites, or pests. It is five times sturdier and more durable compared to a wrought iron or wood fence. Hence, you can easily place it near a sprinkler or swimming pool without being worried that it will rust or blister.

Maintenance

As discussed above, vinyl doesn't absorb moisture and this makes it a perfect material for fencing. It doesn't need to be repainted because the paint will not peel or fade on it. To keep it well maintained, all you have to do is to clean it with a detergent or soap and water and it will start sparkling. You won't even need a primer to protect it from rust and moisture as it doesn't absorb moisture and doesn't rot. Wood has a chance of being damaged by termites and thus, you have to take care of it by using pesticides. Similarly, wrought iron can start rusting in no time and requires proper maintenance too. However, vinyl fencing doesn't need this maintenance.

Affordability

Vinyl is very affordable and is cheaper than wood or wrought iron. Since there is no maintenance required, you don't need to spend huge amounts on it to make it look beautiful and new. On the other hand, with iron or wood fencing, you will have to maintain it many times in a year and this could cost you a lot. Vinyl fencing will save your cost of maintenance as you won't need to repaint or replace it and save it from water, moisture, or termites.

Installation

Vinyl fencing is very easy to install. In fact, you can do everything all by yourself. All you have to do is put the posts in the ground firmly and slide and lock the rails on it. Most homeowners prefer installing this fence on their own because they want to save the costs of labor. Even if you decide to take help from a professional, they won't charge you a lot because the whole process is very easy. The surprising thing is that the cost of purchasing and installing vinyl fencing is less than buying wood or wrought iron fencing alone.

Versatility

Vinyl fencing is very versatile as it is available in different stylish and attractive aesthetics. You can find different types of fencing such as picket fences, privacy fences, post-and-rail fences, and ornamental fences. Whatever your demands are, you will certainly find one that goes well with the surroundings of your home. Most vinyl fences are available in a shade of white and tan, but if you love the look of wood, you can even find vinyl fencing that resembles the texture and color of wood. These fences are available in a variety of textures, shapes, colors, and dimensions so that you can choose the one that attracts you the most.

Privacy

Unlike iron or aluminum fencing, vinyl fencing offers complete privacy. Iron and aluminum fences don't have one-piece models available and usually have lots of spaces in them. On the other hand, vinyl fences are available in one-piece models and are ideal to be used for privacy fencing for pool enclosures, backyards, and for perimeter fencing. These fences are also available in tall heights and can easily hide the enclosed space to ensure safety and privacy.

Non-Toxicity

Vinyl fencing is also safe for the environment and is non-toxic. This is because it isn't manufactured and treated using harmful and toxic chemicals. It is also recycled, so there is no wastage involved in this type of fencing. Vinyl is made up of hydrocarbons and chlorine and is made of natural materials that are not hazardous to the people living around. Most of the recycled materials and natural resources are located in America, so this fencing is cheap and safe for the environment.

Lifetime Warranty

Most vinyl fences are available with a lifetime warranty. This feature makes the homeowner confident and satisfied while using it. Hence, if the fence faces strong winds and rainfall and gets damaged, you can easily have it repaired or replaced. Make sure that the vinyl fence you are going to buy is from a good company that is offering a lifetime warranty on it. With a lifetime warranty, you will know that your investment is secure and protected for the rest of its life. With this fencing, you will have a peace of mind that you can have it replaced if it gets damaged.

Types of Vinyl Fences

Vinyl fencing is available in many different types as discussed above, but the most common ones are privacy fencing, picket fences, and those with shadow box panels. The following are the main types of this fencing:

Privacy Fencing

Privacy fencing is the most popular type of vinyl fence and is mostly used to keep gardens or patios secure and hidden from others. These fences are made up of one piece and are ideal to use as an enclosure for swimming pools and other private areas to block the view of people passing by. Privacy fencing can completely block the view, and it's impossible for the people on the other side to know what's going on behind them. These fences are made up of interlocked tongues that are tightly joined together and groove pickets to make a strong and sturdy barrier.

The whole fence looks like one piece, but in fact, they are many different panels joined together that look as if they are one piece. Sometimes, these types of fences will appear as a solid wall.

Privacy fencing can be made in different colors and styles and is available in varying heights. Most of these vinyl fences are 4 to 6 feet high and can even reach 8 feet if privacy is a greater concern. You can obtain privacy fencing in horizontal and crisscross designs, and you can also get woven lattice styles on the top of the fences.

Picket Fences

Picket fences are mostly used by those who love wooden fences as these resemble wood. Most picket fences consist of posts or stakes located at intervals and are connected to horizontal beams. These fences don't block the view and are mostly used to keep pets and children inside an enclosure. These fences have a maximum height of around 4 feet and are shorter and can be seen through as compared to the privacy fencing and shadow-box fencing.

As these fences don't offer privacy, they are mostly used to mark the boundaries of the property. You can have them designed in different styles such as linked barriers and latticed ones. These fences are usually used for gardens. Some homeowners also use them if they want to allow a full view to the passersby.

Shadow Box Fences

If you are looking to install a semi-privacy fence, you should go for the shadow box fencing. These fences have panels instead of interlocking, which overlap each other. Though they don't completely hide the view as one can see through them, they are designed in a way to make it difficult for a passersby to look through them. One has to stand at different angles to look through them and get a good view. You can get shadow box fences of different heights, but most of them are around 6 feet high. Staggers are also added to make the fence more attractive and beautiful.

Customized Vinyl Fences

Vinyl fencing can also be made on order according to your preferences. These fences already come in a vast variety, but they can also be designed according to the liking of the customers. You can use decorative patterns such as post caps and stylish gates to make them look more attractive. Manufacturers can also make the vinyl fence mimic other materials such as wood, grain, granite, and stone if you prefer the look of a certain material for fencing. They use colored resins and textures to make vinyl fencing resemble other materials for fencing.

There are many vinyl fence manufacturing companies which design these fences in a variety of styles and textures. They polish the fences and make them look professional and stylish.

How to Install a Vinyl Fence?

If you are a DIYer, this section will be very beneficial to you. You can follow these steps to install a vinyl fence just like the professionals do:

Prepare the Ground and Measure the Area

The first step is to prepare the ground where you have to install the fence. Smooth and clear the fence and remove any grass, plants, bushes, and any types of obstacles that are on the ground. You can hire local diggers for this task who will make sure that no lines will get damaged due to digging.

Next, you should measure the area available for installing the fence so that you have an idea of how much vinyl fencing you need to buy for that particular area.

Mark the Post Locations and Design the Fencing Layout

It is necessary to mark the locations of the posts so that you know the lengths available between each post. Vinyl fences can't be trimmed, so you need to be very accurate with the measurements or else you will end up with a very expensive mistake. Install the posts in the right locations before digging holes in those locations. This will make the installation process much easier.

Install the Fences

Now, dig holes for the fence posts using a hand post-hole digger. The post holes should be deep enough to hold the fences properly. If you can rent a power auger, it will make your digging task easier. You can secure the posts using concrete and gravel. Place one post at a time and use a trough to scrape the excess concrete from the posts.

Next, you have to install the vinyl fence sections between the posts. For this purpose, you'll have to follow the manufacturer's instructions. At the end of each section, attach rails with screws and secure these rails into the posts on the ground.

Attach the Post Tops

To follow this step, again follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You can have decorative post tops installed on the top ends of the fences. Most of the vinyl fences come with stylish and decorative patterns of post tops that can be easily installed using the hardware available.

If you run into any problems in any of these steps, you can get a professional to help you out.