Several key factors make vinyl fencing a clear choice for today’s homeowners.
Maintenance
Perhaps the biggest difference between wood and vinyl fencing is the amount of maintenance each requires. Wood fencing requires considerably more upkeep, not only to keep the fence looking good but to increase the longevity of the product. Wood fencing requires periodic sanding and regular staining or sealing to keep its appearance and to protect the wood from rotting, warping and insects. This upkeep means a considerable investment of time and money.
It is commonly recommended for wood fencing to be stained or sealed every two to three years. Depending upon the size of the fence, the type of wood used and the impact exposures to the elements, the average cost to do this ranges more than $1,500 for labor and supplies.
On the other hand, vinyl fencing is low maintenance, requiring a light power washing or cleaning with a mild soap and water once or twice a year to remove any built-up dirt or debris. Besides being easy to clean, vinyl fencing never requires sanding, painting, staining or sealing meaning in the long run you’ll spend less time and money — and time — on maintenance.
Vinyl fencing also tends to be more impact resistant than wood and is designed to withstand the impact of everyday activities — like children playing or accidental bumps — without easily being damaged. Tongue-and-groove infill boards that are used in Barrette Outdoor Living’s Solid Privacy, Lattice Top and Spindle Top vinyl fencing feature superior strength and impact resistance.
Environmental Exposure
In regions with a high amount of rainfall or moisture wood fences tend to swell — breaking down the wood fibers from the inside which leads to rot and decay and weakens the overall stability of the fence. High sun exposure may also lead to cracking and splintering and can cause wood to appear dull, grayish and weathered.
Vinyl fencing is manufactured to stand up to the elements. Made from durable PVC (polyvinyl chloride) — it will not rot, warp, splinter or crack. Vinyl is also impervious to damage from insects.
Manufacturers like Barrette Outdoor Living incorporate SolarGuard® — a fade resisting technology that is mixed into the PVC substrate to help ensure products look like new for years to come. This means vinyl fencing does not weather and turn gray like most wood fencing.
Cost
While the initial investment to purchase a vinyl fence may be slightly higher than wood, in the long run homeowners will find they will save not only in maintenance costs but also in replacement. On average, a wood fence lasts 15 years before needing to be replaced — and this assumes regular maintenance is performed and that the fence is in an area without extreme climate exposure.
Repairing a wood fence also carries a significant price tag — with an average cost of $500 a year. As wood fences age, more frequent repairs are generally required — anything from replacing rusted nails to rotted board to entire panels.
One of the costliest repairs to wood fencing can result from insect damage like termites. On average, damage from wood-eating pests can cost more than $1,500 and carries the added expenses of hiring a pest control company to make sure any infestations are treated properly to protect newly replaced wood.
Vinyl fencing will last upwards of 30 years with minimal maintenance even in the harshest of climates and repair costs are minimal since there is no chance of rot or insect damage. And with the cost of wood rising over the past few years, the gap between wood and vinyl pricing has narrowed, which means depending upon the type of wood selected, a homeowner could initially pay more for a wood fence and need to replace it in half the time of a vinyl fence.
Wood fencing also tends to offer limited — and sometimes no — warranties. Since warranties are designed to cover defects in manufactured products and not natural materials, homeowners will find more comprehensive and extensive warranties for vinyl fencing. Some manufacturers, like Barrette Outdoor Living, offer an industry-leading Transferrable Limited Lifetime Warranty that covers vinyl fencing products for up to 30 years, giving homeowners peace of mind for decades.
Style
When vinyl fencing first emerged on the market in the 1980s, styles were limited, and some homeowners felt a row of white “plastic” looking fence detracted from their natural surroundings. Today’s vinyl fencing has come a long way, offering more natural color options (such as tans and grays) and styles that are designed to better integrate with and complement the outdoors.
Whether using mixed materials to create a distinctive modern look, offering a wider range of picket and semi-privacy options that allow light and air to flow more easily or offering wood grain color options that offer the look of real wood without the maintenance, homeowners now have more vinyl fencing styles and colors than ever to choose from.
Barrette Outdoor Living offers a unique mixed material line that combines aluminum framing with vinyl infill boards that are available in solid and wood grain colors along with privacy fencing that offers several wood grain options.
Ease of Install
Vinyl fencing is lightweight and easy to transport compared to heavy wood panels and posts making it a great choice for professional contractors. Installation is comparable between the wood and vinyl — both require digging holes for posts, setting posts in concrete and making sure the fence line is tamped and even.
But unlike wood fencing, some brands and styles of vinyl fencing can follow variations in terrain — meaning if you have a sloped yard, you can adjust the fence panels to follow the natural curve (within a reasonable degree). This eliminates having a “stepped” installation and helps avoid large gaps underneath the fence line.
Durability
Durability is a huge difference between wood and vinyl fencing. No matter the amount of upkeep, panels and posts will naturally break down as the wood fibers begin to deteriorate. This breakdown can cause bending and sagging in fence panels and gates to happen sooner and more frequently.
Vinyl fencing is manufactured with technologies that provide structural durability within the rails so fence lines stay straight and aligned over time — this also applies to vinyl gate framing. Barrette Outdoor Living, who manufacturers all of its vinyl fencing in the United States, incorporates a unique material composition known as StayStraight® within fence rails* along with its StaySquare® patented gate design featuring internal gate pockets that provides structural integrity. Both technologies help to decrease sagging and bending over the time.
*Does not apply to all products.
