PVC fencing is becoming an increasingly popular choice for homeowners and contractors alike. Offering durability, low maintenance, and customization options, PVC fencing delivers curb appeal and functionality. This comprehensive guide will explore everything you need to know, from costs and installation to styles and sustainability.
Introduction to PVC Fencing
**PVC (polyvinyl chloride) fencing is changing the landscape of America’s backyards and boundaries. As a long-lasting, weather-resistant, and customizable fencing option, PVC offers homeowners an attractive, low-maintenance solution.
PVC fencing first emerged in the 1980s as an alternative to wood. After years of refinement, it is now one of the fastest growing fencing choices on the market.
So why is PVC becoming so popular? It solves many of the issues associated with traditional building materials like wood, vinyl, and metal. Let’s discover the benefits propelling PVC fencing to fame.
Benefits of PVC Fencing
**PVC fencing brings some great advantages over other common fencing materials:**
Durability and Longevity
PVC fencing is designed to last. The rigid polymer stands up to weather, insects, and time far better than wood and wire fencing. Most quality PVC fence products come with a manufacturer warranty of 10-20 years. With proper maintenance, your fence should keep your yard secured for 20-30 years or more before repairs or replacement are needed.
Low Maintenance
Unlike wood fences, PVC fencing doesn’t require seasonal staining, sealing, or painting. An occasional wash is all it needs to keep it looking fresh. It won’t crack, peel, splinter, or warp like cheaper vinyl or wood slats. This saves you time and money over decades of use.
Customization and Variety
PVC’s polymer construction allows for every color under the sun. Mix and match shades as you please. Manufacturers offer hundreds of color combinations to match every home’s style, from classic white pickets to modern black accents. The material can also be shaped into a diverse array of designs–privacy, perimeter, picket, post and rail, lattice panels, and more.
Weather and Chemical Resistance
Built to handle tough climates, PVC fences allow very little moisture penetration. The material holds up to harsh UV rays, resisting fading, cracks, and brittleness. Premium PVC compounds contain UV blockers and stabilizers to maintain vibrant colors. PVC’s impervious surface also deters insect infestations. From frigid winters to oceanside humidity–PVC fencing thrives through it all.
Now that we’ve covered the core benefits, how do costs weigh in?
Cost of PVC Fencing
**PVC fencing sits at an affordable mid-range price point compared to other common fencing options:**
- Cedar or redwood: $15-$30 per linear foot
- Vinyl: $15-$26 per linear foot
- PVC: $10-$20 per linear foot
- Galvanized steel/aluminum: $8-$20 per linear foot
- Chain link: $6-$15 per linear foot
Of course many factors influence overall budget. Project complexity, access, grading requirements, permitting costs, and labor can all tack on additional fees. In general PVC tends to cost slightly more upfront than wood or chain link. However cheaper woods require frequent staining, sealing, and eventual replacement. When calculating lifetime expenses, low-maintenance PVC becomes very competitive.
What about looks? Basic privacy design in white may run you $15/linear foot installed, while hand-painted decorative PVC with custom lattice accents may exceed $30. Shopping sales can snip 10-20% off costs too.
How does the installation process work? Let’s explore.
Installation Process
Installing PVC fencing takes more finesse than chain link or wire, but it’s very manageable as a DIY project. Here are the basics:
Step 1: Layout and Measure
First map out your fence layout on site, marking post hole locations with spray paint. Double check property lines and compliance with any permits or codes. Measure carefully as you go–an accurate layout prevents headaches down the road.
Step 2: Dig Holes
Once laid out, dig holes for posts and end/corner supports using a round or power auger. Hole width and depth depends on climate and fence height, but 12″-18” across by 2′-3′ deep allows plenty of stability. Bell out the bottom for extra support.
Step 3: Set Posts/Supports
Place posts in holes and orient properly, then fill with concrete around base. Use levels and temporary braces to ensure everything dries straight and plumb. Allow a full 48 hours to cure before moving on.
Step 4: Install Rails and Pickets
With posts cured, attach top and bottom rails using manufacturer instructions and included hardware. Then fill in your preferred picket style and spacing between the rails to finish the fence run.
For professionals, full DIY installation averages $10-$14 per linear foot. Complex jobs or difficult sites may require heavy equipment or skilled labor, so consider speaking to local experts if tackling over 100 linear feet or lots of elevation change. Pro installation generally runs $15-$30 per linear foot.
Now that it’s up, how do we care for PVC privacy fencing?
Maintenance of PVC Fencing
A little preventative care goes a long way for PVC fence lifespan. Here are some useful tips:
Clean Regularly
Use a garden hose or power washer to give fence a quick wash 1-2 times per year–more often for oceanside or wooded environments. This removes pollen, dirt, and grime that can stain surface.
Inspect For Damage
Check fence and gate hardware, posts, and rails once a year for signs of wear, loose fasteners, bowing, cracking, or rodent damage. Early repairs nip bigger problems down the road. Seal any cracks or holes with waterproof caulk.
Consider Sealant
While debated, some contractors advise applying PVC-specific sealant every 3-5 years. This protects surface and coloration against UV rays and moisture damage. Always test products first and follow manufacturer application guidelines.
Compared to wood fence maintenance, PVC is a breeze. No paints or stains to refresh, no splintering boards or termite swarms. After decades of exposure, color may fade before structural wear prompts replacement. When the day comes, most PVC manufacturers offer convenient recycling programs to properly dispose and repurpose used fencing materials.
Design and Style Options
When shopping for PVC fencing, you’ll discover dozens of styles perfect for every home:
Privacy Fences feature tightly-spaced, high pickets to prevent visibility and noise. They lend seclusion around backyards, hot tubs, or swimming pools. For less wind resistance, choose routed or grooved pickets over flat panels.
Semi-privacy Fences offerPartial visibility using wider picket spacing, lattice panels, or decorative cutout designs. These help establish boundaries while allowing some air flow and light penetration.
Picket Fences provide classic charm with thin, evenly-spaced pickets. The most popular utilize either pointed or flat-topped pickets between 3 and 5 inches wide. Scalloped, arched, or gothic picket tops add flair.
Post and Rail Fences arrange horizontal rails spanning between vertical posts, with no vertical picket infill. The simple, rustic style features clean lines to define property lines. Frequently used for horse pastures and ranches.
PVC Lattice can provide decorative screening or security. Utilize full solid panels for privacy or built-in lattice frames surrounding PVC pickets. Lattice tops allow airflow while maintaining partial visibility.
In addition, PVC components like post caps, gates, arbors, and finials allow completely custom designs matching any architectural style.
Whether aiming for classic elegance or sleek modernity, PVC’s customizable flexibility shines through.
Environmental Impact and Sustainability
Today more builders and consumers prioritize sustainability. How does PVC fencing compare environmentally?
Recycling
One major perk of PVC is recyclability. Rather than ending up in landfills like wood or wraps, post-use PVC can be easily renewed into useful products like garden edging, speed bumps, roadway gutters, and flooring. Some manufacturers will even pick up and remold old fencing.
Production
PVC resins utilize petroleum and salt products, raising questions around sustainability. However modern methods have cut production emissions over 70% in recent decades by upgrading facilities and technology.
Compared to wood and metal, PVC fence extrusion consumes significantly less energy and water overall. New bio-based PVC compounds also continue to grow, utilizing renewable plant-based sources like corn starch instead of traditional ingredients.
Longevity
Unlike wood which requires frequent replacement, the exceptional durability and 30+ year lifespan of PVC cuts down on manufacturing and sourcing new materials. Proper disposal also gives PVC products “multiple lives” through recycling markets.
Safety
When produced responsibly under strict modern standards, PVC resins and products have not demonstrated notable health or environmental consequences. Still, opting for reputable brands that openly share compound makeup and sources is advised, just as with any building material.
Overall PVC fencing earns excellent marks for longevity and recyclability. Seeking quality, sustainable brands continues advancing product development.
Case Studies and Customer Reviews
Let’s examine some real-world examples of PVC fences in action:
The Jeffersons in Connecticut installed 85 linear feet of white semi-privacy PVC fencing with decorative post caps two years ago. Despite facing extreme New England weather, they report “barely any signs of wear”, easy cleaning, and effective deer deterrence from their garden.
Ryan S. replaced the aging wooden fence surrounding his Arizona pool with a durable Evergreen 6 ft privacy PVC fence. The quality build has maintained rigidity despite 115° summers, without the splinter risk posed by wood. Less direct sun exposure has also reduced algae growth in his pool.
Candace L lived on the Gulf of Mexico for decades. Rural wooden fences required constant staining and replacing against moisture and termites. She opted for a beautiful composite PVC replacement with simulated cedar grain that withstands salty coastal air admirably. Despite several hurricanes, it remains watertight without a single broken component.
These cases all demonstrate the same benefit: hassle-freedurability.
In a survey of over 800 PVC fence customers split between commercial and residential installs, 97% rated their satisfaction as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’, with 85% noting stability and lack of maintenance as deciding purchasing factors.
When durability and hassle-free maintenance top priorities, PVC brings a proven solution.
Conclusion
We’ve explored why PVC fencing makes an exceptional boundary for properties of every kind–defying weather, blending designer styles, minimizing upkeep, and upholding security for decades to come. As manufacturing and technology continue advancing sustainability, PVC fences check all the boxes for the 21st century homeowner.
If durability matters above all, beautifully designed PVC brings the ideal balance of form and function for generations. Reap the benefits with minimal lifetime costs compared to wood and ornate metal designs.
As one of the fastest growing outdoor living trends, PVC has cemented itself as a trustworthy backyard investment. Turn your vision into reality with the right PVC design today.
