Vinyl Fencing Review: Pros and Cons

Vinyl fencing has become an increasingly popular choice for homeowners looking to install a new fence. Vinyl’s durability, low maintenance, and customizability make it an appealing option. However, vinyl fencing also has some drawbacks to consider before making a purchase. This extensive vinyl fencing review will provide a comprehensive look at the pros and cons of vinyl fencing to help determine if it is the right choice for your home.

What is Vinyl Fencing?

Vinyl fencing is made from PVC resin and contains no wood fibers. The PVC is combined with additives like stabilizers and pigments and then formed into fencing planks or pickets using extrusion or molding techniques. Here is a quick overview of how vinyl fencing is made:

PVC resin is heated and mixed with stabilizers, lubricants, and coloring pigments. This makes the material flexible and weather-resistant.
The vinyl compound is extruded through a die to create fencing planks with the desired shape and size. Extrusion allows vinyl to be shaped into planks, posts, and rails.
For more complex fencing components like pickets, injection molding is used. This involves injecting vinyl into a mold to form the intricate designs.
Once cooled, the vinyl planks, posts, and molded pickets are assembled into full fencing sections and installed.

Vinyl’s material properties make it well-suited for fencing in terms of strength, durability, and low maintenance. Now let’s look closer at the key pros and cons of vinyl fencing.

Vinyl Fencing Pros

Vinyl fencing offers many benefits that make it an attractive choice for homeowners and contractors. Here are some of the top advantages.

Durability and Longevity

One of the biggest pros of vinyl fencing is its exceptional durability and longevity. Here are some key reasons vinyl fencing lasts:

Resists rot, decay, and insects – The PVC resin provides inherent resistance to common fence hazards like termites, wood decay, rotting, and moisture damage. Vinyl won’t warp or split like wood.
Withstands weathering – Vinyl holds up very well to sun, rain, wind, and snow. It maintains its shape and does not crack or peel. Good vinyl contains UV inhibitors to prevent sun damage.
Impact resistant – Vinyl’s flexible plastic construction makes it more dent and impact resistant than wood or other materials. It springs back into shape if bent.

With proper installation, a quality vinyl fence can last 20-30 years or longer with minimal upkeep required. The long lifespan means you’ll save money over multiple wood fence replacements.

Low Maintenance

Another major advantage of vinyl fencing is that it requires very little ongoing maintenance compared to wood.

Vinyl resists common fence paint and staining needs since the color is embedded throughout the material.
You’ll never need to sand, prime, or paint vinyl. This avoids time-consuming and messy maintenance.
Vinyl also doesn’t require water sealing, pest control chemicals, or other preservation measures needed for wood.

Simply washing it down with a garden hose periodically is all that’s needed to keep vinyl fencing looking like new year after year. The minimal maintenance is a huge perk for busy homeowners.

Customizable Styles and Colors

Vinyl fencing offers far more customization options compared to wood. Vinyl can be manufactured into a wide variety of colors, textures, patterns, and designs:

Many color choices are available beyond basic white, including woodgrain shades, grays, browns, and more. This allows matching most home color schemes.
Different plank styles like contemporary, classical, or gothic can match your home’s architecture.
For a unique look, add decorative post caps, molded pickets, or accent rails. Design options are nearly endless.
Privacy and security can be enhanced with solid privacy planks versus picket-style sections.

The flexibility to get the exact style and look you want is a major benefit of vinyl over wood’s limitations. Customization adds curb appeal and functionality.

Comparable Costs Over Time

Vinyl fencing often comes at a 20-40% premium upfront compared to basic wood fencing. However, given vinyl’s durability and lack of maintenance, the lifetime costs become comparable or even lower than wood. Here’s a cost breakdown:

Initial purchase price – Vinyl fencing ranges $15-25 per linear foot installed. Cedar wood starts around $10-15 per foot. Higher-end woods like redwood are similar to vinyl.
Maintenance – Vinyl requires practically zero maintenance costs over its life. Wood needs staining/sealing every 2-4 years at around $0.75-1 per foot each time. This adds up significantly.
Life expectancy – Vinyl lasts 2-4 times longer than wood before needing replacement. Fewer fence replacements are needed over decades.

When weighed over the full lifespan, vinyl can actually save money in the long run. The upfront investment pays off thanks to longevity and lack of upkeep.

Environmentally-Friendly

For eco-conscious homeowners, vinyl fencing offers green benefits:

It is made predominantly from abundant and easily-recycled PVC resin. Nearly 100% of vinyl can be recycled at end of life.
Vinyl production generates minimal waste compared to wood harvesting and milling processes.
No trees are cut down to manufacture vinyl fencing. This makes it more environmentally sustainable long-term versus frequent wood replacements.
Vinyl fencing never needs chemical treatments like fungicides, pesticides, or paints that can be hazardous. This prevents contamination.

While no fencing option is perfect, vinyl is one of the most eco-friendly choices available for your outdoor spaces when lifetime impacts are considered.

Other Benefits

Some additional advantages that vinyl fencing provides include:

Low electrical conductivity – Vinyl won’t conduct electricity like metal fencing, making it safer.
Good noise reduction – The solid planks absorb sound better than spaced pickets. This adds privacy.
No splintering – Vinyl’s smooth surface won’t get sharp splinters like wood. This prevents injuries.
Flame retardant – Vinyl meets fire safety codes and is self-extinguishing to help prevent spreading.

Vinyl Fencing Cons

Despite its many strengths, there are also some potential drawbacks to weigh about vinyl fencing:

Higher Upfront Cost

As mentioned, vinyl fencing typically costs 20-40% more than wood fencing upfront. Here are the factors contributing to vinyl’s higher initial price:

Raw vinyl resin prices fluctuate but remain higher priced than fast-growing woods like cedar.
Fabricating processes like extrusion and molding are more complex than milling wood, adding manufacturing costs.
Additional compounds are incorporated during processing like UV stabilizers and colorants.
Vinyl is lighter than wood, requiring heavier-duty structural supports. This adds materials.

For buyers on tight budgets or wanting to fence large areas, the higher initial vinyl pricing can be prohibitive and steer selection toward lower-cost wood.

Limitations for Custom Work

While vinyl offers ample style and color options, it lacks full flexibility for bespoke fencing solutions compared to wood.

Unique stains, finishes, inlays, and designs can’t be replicated in vinyl. Wood allows total customizability.
Intricate carpentry joinery is not achievable with vinyl’s molding and fabrication limits.

For historic homes or luxury estates, vinyl may appear too modern and standardized relative to wood’s old-world craftsmanship potential.

Susceptibility to Heat Warping

In extremely hot climates, vinyl can be prone to heat distortion and warping. Here’s what causes the issue:

Vinyl fencing expands and contracts with temperature changes. In intense heat, expansion can lead to deformities.
Darker vinyl colors absorb more heat, increasing warping risks.
Poor quality vinyl with insufficient stabilizers is more vulnerable to heat damage.
Inadequate airflow behind fence posts can create heat pooling and deformation.

Proper fence design can mitigate these risks, but heat is a factor to consider in very hot installation locations. Wood is less prone to heat issues.

Can’t Match Wood’s Strength

For the most secure applications like privacy walls or perimeter barriers, vinyl lacks wood’s superior strength.

Vinyl’s flexible plastic construction is more fragile overall. It can potentially be compromised by determined efforts.
Extra robust bracing and railings are required for tall vinyl privacy fences or sound walls. Wood has greater natural rigidity.
For securing high-value locations, vinyl may not be considered as strong a deterrent as sturdy cedar or pressure-treated posts.

Wood’s greater strength and density provides a sense of security and permanence vinyl can struggle to match.

Not Biodegradable like Wood

While vinyl compares favorably environmentally against wood in most ways, at end of life it does not biodegrade naturally like wood.

Vinyl requires recycling processes to break the PVC back into raw plastic materials. Not all areas have vinyl recycling.
If sent to landfills, vinyl fences will persist for decades or centuries before decomposing. Wood breaks down much quicker.
Burning vinyl improperly can release harmful dioxins and pollutants. Proper waste disposal methods are needed.

The inability to naturally decompose is an environmental drawback vinyl fences share with other synthetic materials. Sustainable recycling must be planned for.

Can’t Match Wood’s Natural Beauty

Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, but many homeowners still prefer the innate visual appeal of real wood fences.

The richness of woodgrain, knots, and patterns exceeds vinyl’s plastic uniformity.
Wood stains, painting, and drying can further enhance wood’s attractive variations.
Vinyl lacks wood’s organic imperfections that provide character and charm.

If maintaining the natural warmth and aesthetics of wood is a priority, vinyl has difficulty competing on pure visual appeal despite advances in patterns and textures. It simply lacks wood’s inherent organic beauty.

Key Considerations for Vinyl Fencing

When weighing vinyl fencing, keep these important considerations in mind:

Installation expertise – Proper vinyl fence installation is crucial. Poor techniques lead to weaknesses and instability over time. Find experienced installers familiar with vinyl.
Long-term costs – Upfront price is only part of the cost equation. Analyze total costs over the fence’s lifespan compared to wood’s continual maintenance and replacement needs.
Quality over cost – Seek quality materials resistant to heat warping with maximum UV protection and longevity. Don’t let initial price override material quality.
Style flexibility – Determine what styles are possible in vinyl and if they meet your aesthetic tastes. Simple styles have the most options.
Regional suitability – Assess if vinyl is well-suited to handle your area’s temperature extremes, wind, rain, and other impacts. Heat tolerance is especially key.

Taking these factors into account allows for an informed vinyl fencing decision tailored to your specific property, taste, and climate.

Vinyl vs. Wood Fencing Comparison

Here is a helpful breakdown comparing vinyl and wood fencing across factors like cost, durability, maintenance, appearance, and more:

This comparison shows vinyl performs very well on durability, maintenance, and customizable looks. Wood excels on strength, natural appearance, and total flexibility for custom designs. Costs are ultimately comparable when accounting for maintenance and replacement needs over time.

Should You Choose Vinyl Fencing?

Vinyl fencing makes an excellent choice for many homeowners but isn’t ideal for every setting. Use this summary to help decide if vinyl fencing is right for your property:

Vinyl fencing is a good option if you want:

Extremely low maintenance and no staining, sealing, or painting
Long-lasting durability to outlast multiple wood fences
Ample color and style choices to match your tastes
A clean, consistent manufactured appearance
Comparable or lower lifetime costs compared to recurrent wood repairs and replacement
An eco-friendly, sustainable fencing material with recycling options

Vinyl may be less ideal if:

Your climate experiences very hot summers that could warp lower-grade vinyl
You want fully bespoke customization with special finishes and carpentry
Natural woodgrain appearance and variations are visually important
Your setting demands maximum strength for security
You seek an old-world, non-uniform look and aging patina

As this summary illustrates, vinyl fencing brings many attractive benefits that suit a modern aesthetic and busy homeowners desiring simplicity. Yet traditionalists and those facing heat extremes or custom needs may still favor wood. Carefully weigh your specific wants, climate, and style before picking the ideal fencing to meet your individual property’s requirements.

Popular Vinyl Fence Styles

If you decide vinyl is the right fencing choice, selecting the ideal style is the next step. Here are some of the most popular vinyl fence designs for homes:

Pickets

Classic vinyl fencing style mimicking wooden pickets
Vertical plank pickets offer ornamental look along with security and privacy
Many picket shape and spacing options for looks ranging from secure privacy to decorative open visibility
Allows visibility and airflow while maintaining boundary separation
Scalable height from 3ft to over 6ft for versatility
Common cap rails add enhanced structure and finished look

Post and Rail

Often used for paddocks, perimeters, and ranch fencing
Utilizes horizontal, long rails secured between vertical posts
Open feel with unobstructed views and airflow
Allows easy interaction/visibility with pets or livestock contained
Typically 3-4 rails between posts for optimal rigidity
Rails can be separate or integrate pickets for partial privacy

Board on Board

Achieves the natural, rustic shadowbox visuals of wood board fencing
Overlapping planks provide appealing aesthetic and increased privacy
Planks are typically 6” wide, with gaps ranging 1-3” between
No exposed framing provides clean lines
Durable, low-maintenance alternative to traditional wood shadowbox
Easy to pair with steel posts for enhanced longevity

Privacy Slats

Provides maximum seclusion and noise reduction
Slats contained within frames for rigidity
Slats are typically 6’ high and made of solid flat vinyl panels
No spacing or gaps between slats
Ideal for perimeter barrier or limiting views and noise
With creative shaping/angles, can also achieve modern appeal

Black Aluminum and Vinyl

Striking contemporary look combines black coated aluminum frame with black vinyl infill
Aluminum frame provides exceptional wind resistance and strength
Infill consists of horizontal planks or modern decorative shapes
Ideal for contemporary, luxury aesthetic requiring security
Sophisticated alternative to common wood privacy fencing

This covers some of the most common vinyl styles available. Discuss your unique tastes and needs with qualified vinyl fence installers to select the optimal look complementing your home’s architecture and surroundings.

Key Factors When Installing Vinyl Fencing

Achieving the full benefits of vinyl fencing depends on proper installation. Here are key considerations when installing vinyl fence:

Hire Vinyl Fencing Experts

Don’t attempt vinyl fence installation as a DIY project. The specialized techniques and tools differ greatly from wood fences. A qualified contractor knowledgeable in vinyl fence installation should handle your project. They understand the intricacies of working with vinyl.

Proper Fence Footing and Posts

Stable fence posts are crucial for long-term vinyl fence security and straightness. This starts with proper footing below frost lines to prevent shifting. Concrete footings around posts must have time to fully cure before fence strain is applied. Use sturdy corner posts and gateposts.

Allow For Thermal Expansion

Vinyl expands and contracts with temperature changes. Installation must account for needed thermal expansion gaps between fence posts and panels. This prevents buckling. Follow manufacturer specifications for your region’s climate.

Include Wind Load Supports

Wind pressure can distort vinyl fencing, causing deformation and loosening over time. Use reinforced rails and post bracing against likely wind directions. In extreme wind zones, choose picket, post, and rail sizing engineered for wind load capacity.