The Pros and Cons of Vinyl Fences

Any fence builder will tell you that vinyl fences are a great option for busy homeowners who can’t seem to get five minutes of time to themselves. They are attractive, low-maintenance options.

They are not, however, perfect. Vinyl fences come with their own set of unique issues.

The Pros

You don’t have to paint or stain vinyl and it holds up well to water, which means you won’t lose the color of your fencing in the rain. Vinyl can last a long time without any help from you if conditions are right.

Cleaning your vinyl fence is also a snap. It takes a bucket and some soapy water, and that’s about it. Dirt wipes off quickly, allowing you to get back to your day.

If you like uniform color you’ll also love vinyl since you won’t have to deal with the natural variations of wood. You can even get a vinyl fence that looks like wood if you want the look without the maintenance, knowing that you’ll get a more controlled color out of the bargain.

The Cons

Vinyl is a form of plastic. That means it’s sturdy in some respects but vulnerable in other respects.

Here in Wisconsin the biggest issue is the cold weather. Extreme cold can turn your vinyl fence brittle, which makes it very vulnerable to damage.

Your vinyl fence might get damaged any time we experience weather cycles: cold snaps followed by really warm weather, for example. The damage isn’t always visible – the fence can loosen and shift if not installed properly. It’s important that the fence company you work with knows how to install these fences properly.

In addition you really have fewer options for repairing this type of fence. Usually all you can do is repair entire segments—you just don’t have the option of replacing a single board. This means you could waste time and money that you wouldn’t have had to waste if you’d opted for a cedar wood fence instead.

Vinyl colors do fade eventually, as well, and there are very few options for touching up the color once it is gone.

Solutions

We still love the merits of a maintenance-free fence so we’ve offered solutions to our customers in the Milwaukee area by choosing only the highest quality, most durable vinyl on the market today. It holds up better to extreme heat and cold while resisting color fade.

However, even the best vinyl is still vinyl, so the issues still exist. Our vinyl choices simply reduce the amount of time that you’ll have to spend on repairs, allowing you to enjoy the other benefits of vinyl with less fuss.

If you’re not sure whether or not vinyl is a good choice for you then contact us or call us at (262) 251-6766. We can answer all of your questions and help you determine if it’s the right type of fence for you. We can also give you a free estimate if you wish!