In the days of your parents and grandparents, your only choice of materials for fencing was wood or metal. Wrought iron fences are still around today because they are still durable, even hundreds of years later. Wood fencing eventually succumbs to the elements, so it needs to be replaced or repaired more often. Today, your options for materials for fencing include composite and vinyl fencing. It can be hard to decide which of those options is best suited for your needs. Here is some information about composite fencing compared to vinyl fencing.
What is Composite Fencing?
Composite fencing is usually manufactured from recycled materials like plastic and wood. This is a fantastic fencing material option for homeowners who prefer to be eco-friendly, since composite fencing helps to keep plastic and wood out of landfills.
Benefits of Composite Fencing
There are loads of benefits to using composite fencing for your property. The first one is the ecological benefit. Since composite fencing is made from materials that would otherwise not be used, it’s considered to be a “green” option. Composite fencing doesn’t necessitate chopping down trees like wood fencing might. The wood in composite fencing comes from leftover woodchips and sawdust. Another benefit to composite fencing is that it looks and feels like real wood. While there is some real wood in it, there is also plastic in it. However, even up close, composite fencing doesn’t appear to be made out of plastic at all. Finally, a third benefit of composite fencing is that it is very dense. This feature makes it durable enough to be a viable fencing option for almost any need.
Drawbacks of Composite Fences
There are also some drawbacks to composite fencing. The wood content does expand and contract like a wood fence. In climates with extreme temperature changes, there may be some minor warping over time. Composite fencing also needs more maintenance than vinyl fencing. If you have nearby foliage that touches the fence, you could see some staining that would have to be painted over eventually.
What is Vinyl Fencing?
Vinyl fencing is made from polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC. It doesn’t contain any natural materials like wood or metal. It’s completely manmade.
The Benefits of Vinyl Fencing
Many homeowners choose vinyl fencing because it is modern and clean looking. It’s very easy to maintain, because it is weather resistant. It doesn’t succumb to insect infestation, and it rarely stains. Finally, vinyl fencing is very easy to install, since it’s modular in construction. This makes it a very affordable option for many homeowners.
The Drawbacks of Vinyl Fencing
Once you choose a color for your vinyl fencing, you’re pretty much stuck with it. Vinyl fencing doesn’t really react well to repainting. Over time, the color of vinyl fencing may fade, due to the sun’s UV rays, which can’t really be avoided. It may develop mildew, though this can easily be power washed away. Another drawback of vinyl fencing is that it’s not easily repaired. If something happens to a panel, you usually have to replace the whole panel.
There are benefits and drawbacks to both composite fencing and vinyl fencing. For helpful advice on which option you should choose, contact Atlantic Fence & Supply today!