Why Choose Maintenance Free Vinyl Fencing for Your Home?

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When it comes to fencing, you have many choices of materials and styles. Materials such as wood, wrought iron, steel, aluminum, or of course vinyl are all viable choices. Style choices range from picket, split rail, and privacy fencing.

What to Do Before Installing a Fence

  • If you have an HOA, get approval of the type and style of fence.
  • Many times city approval will be needed also.
  • Sometimes you will need a survey.
  • Have utilities marked.
  • Work with a fencing company. Some of these items may be included in their service.
  • A decision on the purpose of fencing and location.
  • Decide on style and materials.

Material Choices and Durability

The durability of the most common material choices is reviewed by Bob Villa. 

  • Wood – The most common choice is wood. The material of cedar or treated pine is used the most. The downfall is both need to be sealed or stained or painted. Maintenance must be kept up. Even with good maintenance, wood tends to warp or rot. Portions will have to be replaced.
  • Wrought Iron – It is heavy, and needs regular maintenance and repainting to avoid rusting.
  • Steel – Steel requires a rust-inhibiting paint or spray. Chain link fences are often made of steel.
  • Aluminum – This material will hold up to weather and wear, but is limited to a more decorative fence rather than a privacy fence.
  • – Vinyl is the material of choice for durability and little maintenance. The only maintenance you will need to do on a vinyl fence is to clean it off with a garden hose, or power sprayer. Sometimes just water will be enough, other times a mild detergent or mildew cleaner and inhibitor may be needed. CertainTeed offers a wide variety of vinyl fencing choices.

Types of Vinyl Fencing

Textures – Textures to simulate wood, stucco or rock are available. 

Colors – An entire range of colors to represent many wood tones, as well as white and decorative colors, are represented.

Styles – Any style needed is available in vinyl fencing. If you need a picket fence, split rail style, or privacy fence in many styles, you can design it with vinyl. Your choices are very wide with the choice of vinyl. Depending on the style and materials used in your home and yard, the style can be matched with vinyl. Is stone a feature on your home or in your yard. Continue that look with a vinyl fence that simulates stacked stone. Do you have stucco on your home? A vinyl fence can be purchased that looks like stucco. Do you prefer just a standard white look? Achieve that look with vinyl. Wood looks in many textures and shades can be achieved with vinyl.

Expected Life of Fencing

  • Wood – Cedar can last 15 to 30 years, but this is not without a lot of maintenance and sometimes replacing sections. Pressure treated pine usually lasts about 12 to 15 years, but again with a lot of maintenance.
  • Wrought Iron, Steel – It will last a long time unless maintenance is not kept up and rust or corrosion sets in.
  • Aluminum – It will last, but has limitations in its use.
  • Vinyl – Vinyl will last a lifetime and more. Today’s vinyl does not yellow over time. It will keep its new look as long as it is cleaned. 

Costs of Different Materials

According to HomeAdvisor here are the various costs.

  • Wood – Cedar – $15 per linear foot for a privacy fence materials. Pressure Treated Pine – $12 per linear foot for privacy fence materials.
  • Wrought Iron, Steel – $12 to $28 per linear foot for materials.
  • Aluminum – $26 per linear foot for materials.
  • Vinyl – $17 per linear foot for materials.

Vinyl fencing is a clear winner! The cost is higher than wood, but not the highest cost material used for fencing. But like the title tells us, it is virtually maintenance free. Cleaning the vinyl fence will keep it looking like new, but the durability is there whether it is cleaned or not. If you want to have a fence installed that will last a lifetime, contact the Minnesota leaders in fence construction.

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