Vinyl Fence Positives and Negatives

If you have been on the fence (pun intended) about installing a classic looking, new vinyl fence this spring but want more information, then this article will be worth the read!  Much like any other fence material, there are pros and cons to vinyl fencing for various scenarios.  Read the pros and cons described in this article and decide if a vinyl fence is right for your yard!

The Pros and Cons of Vinyl Fencing

By: Amy Jensen

Forget about building, hammering, painting, or lacquering your fence to get the look you desire — vinyl fencing is an easy way to create a beautiful fence around your home without much work on your part. There are many vinyl fencing styles to choose from, from a white picket fence to a stone wall. Vinyl fencing may seem like an easy choice and a dream come true, but before you order the materials for your next fence, make sure you’re aware of all the pros and cons of vinyl fencing before you make your final choice.

The Pros

  • Vinyl fencing looks as if it took a lot of work to build, but is premade and only requires installation.
  • The installation of vinyl fencing is much easier than building a fence.
  • Fencing comes in many designs and colors.
  • Prebuilt gates can be ordered to match your vinyl fencing.
  • Vinyl fencing has a longer lifetime than many wood fences which can fade, crack, and rot.
  • Vinyl fencing is easy to clean and requires almost no maintenance.
  • Many manufacturers have lifetime replacement for their vinyl fencing in the case of cracking, fading, or other types of natural damage.
  • Specific kinds of fencing are designed to keep out sound, while others have very specialized resistance to high wind speeds.

The Cons

  • The cost of vinyl fencing is much higher than the materials used to create a fence out of wood, rock, wire, or cement.
  • Vinyl fencing will not last as long as fencing that is made out of rock or stone, which is very solid and can last generations.
  • Vinyl fences do not have a long lifetime in very sunny climates because too much exposure to sunlight can cause them to crack and crumble.
  • While putting up a vinyl fence does not take much effort, it also does not give you the satisfaction of a heavy duty DIY project, since the fencing is premade.
  • Installing a vinyl fence requires at least two people and a few days to complete.
  • Different styles of fencing have different types of assembly and installation.
  • If a vinyl fence becomes damaged, it can be tricky to repair, depending on the fence style and manufacturing company.
  • To install a vinyl fence, posts must be placed in cement that takes time to dry. Posts cannot be moved after that, so installation must be correct the first time.
  • Vinyl fences are not good for temporary use, due to the posts and concrete. They cannot be moved after they are installed.

Vinyl fencing is great if you have the money to splurge and don’t want use the time and energy required to build your own fence. The money may be worth the effort, as it takes a lot of work to keep a fence in nice condition. If you really want to create a fence you can be proud of, you may want to build a fence the old-fashioned way with materials from your local hardware store.


Article sourced from: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/the-pros-and-cons-of-vinyl-siding