Vinyl fencing offers a great look to any home, making it a popular choice when you want to erect a fence on your property. Ideal for both security and aesthetics, vinyl fencing is an excellent way to add a little something extra to your property that gives it that vintage charm. Vinyl fencing comes with many benefits, making it a great investment as well. It can increase property value and give your home the look you desire, but how long does it last? This guide will answer this question and more.
What is Vinyl Fencing?
As opposed to the wood fence, a vinyl fence is a stronger competitor that offers more bang for your buck. Of course, it comes with its advantages and disadvantages as all materials do, but in the long run, vinyl fencing is an excellent choice both for looks and durability. Vinyl is not a natural substance but is instead a human-made plastic material crafted from ethylene, which is found in crude oil, and chlorine, found in regular salt. When these materials are combined and processed, they form Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) resin, which is more commonly known as Vinyl. Vinyl was first invented in 1920 by scientists who were aiming to develop a material that could be transformed into everyday products while being cheaper, much more durable, and widely available. Today, vinyl is the second largest manufactured and solid plastic resin in the world.
Understanding Vinyl Material
Vinyl material comes with a number benefits which makes it so perfect for fencing material. For one, vinyl is highly resistant to moisture and humidity, which mean the elements, specifically rain and damp heat won’t damage the fencing over time. The durable plastic of vinyl fencing is also incredibly strong, which means bugs, insects, and other pests won’t ruin it by gnawing, biting, or staining. Vinyl material is easily washable, as well, which means your fencing will stay as white and bright as the first day it was installed. White is not the only color of vinyl fencing, though. This material can be produced in a variety of colors, both transparent and stable, giving it versatility for more artsy customers who want to veer away from the traditional “white picket fence.”
In addition to these advantages, vinyl, though human-made, is an environmentally friendly material. It can be easily recycled and also helps preserve environmental resources because it is made from common salt, once of the most renewable natural substances. It’s easy to manufacture and reproduce, requiring very little energy to create significant amount of the material that can then be transformed into a number of products, including vinyl fencing/
How Long Can Vinyl Fencing Last?
A common wooden fence is pretty sturdy, but it won’t last forever. If you live in your home for more than a decade, the chances are that you’ll have to repair or completely replace your wooden fence at least once in that time frame. Vinyl fencing, on the other hand, has a much longer lifespan provided it receives proper care and maintenance. However, care and maintenance are not as extensive or tedious as you might expect. For example, vinyl fencing does not need to be painted or retouched, but you can certainly paint it if you choose to!
While a wooden fence may last between 10 and 15 years, properly cared for vinyl fencing can last up to 20 or even 30 years. To make things even better, most vinyl fencing comes with a lifetime warranty, ensuring that this product is built to last as long as you need it to and even longer.
Vinyl fencing is an excellent choice for a first home or any place you plan to stay in for an extended period of time. They look great, require low maintenance, and are known to last longer than their wooden fence counterparts. Also, they are environmentally sound and recyclable, giving you all the reason you need to choose this great product over wood or another material. It’s a great investment, adds so much to your home, and is built to last.