Vinyl Fence – Wind, snow, and ice can take their toll on vinyl. The fence is not designed for this type of abuse. Vinyl fencing is only designed to withstand mild climates with little to no wind or snow. If you live in a geographic region with harsh winters and gusty winds. Your vinyl fence will not fare as well as those made out of more durable materials such as wood or wrought iron.
Since most homeowners don’t know this information upfront. Many will purchase the cheaper vinyl fences and then be disappointed. When they start showing wear after one winter season. Or strong gusts cause the railings to bend out of shape every once in a while.
There are two main types of vinyl fencing. Most are designed to withstand inclement weather conditions. Yet you can find cheaper vinyl fences that are not made for the elements. Depending on how up-to-date your vinyl fence is, it should be able to handle the wind and snow. If you live in a harsh environment with high winds and snow. You should realize losses in your fence every year.
A good rule of thumb is that if the wind speed averages 15mph or more in your area. Then your vinyl fence will be at risk for damage over time. The lower the wind speed in your area, the less likely it will be that you will experience problems with your fence.
The most common issue homeowners have with their vinyl fencing is that. They don’t stay straight or they buckle and warp. If this happens to you, then you need to go ahead and browse this page to contact a fence contractor for an estimate on possible fence repairs.
Vinyl fences will:
Start to sag and look old after only two years. – Vinyl isn’t as durable as other materials such as wood or wrought iron, but it can last 10-15 years before it needs replacing.
Allow snow and ice to build upon the rails and upper part of the fence. – Snow and ice build-up can cause a lot of damage to a vinyl fence. Warped rails, sagging pickets, and bent hardware are just some examples of how much damage can occur from snow and ice buildup.
Allow pets to scratch at them.– Some dogs love digging their paws into vinyl fences or scratching at them to relieve boredom or stress such as boredom. Vinyl is durable, but not indestructible for animals who love digging through it or climbing through it.
Allow repairs to be made quickly and easily. – You can repair a vinyl fence much easier than other types of fences. But the downside is that vinyl does not last very long and you will need to replace them after a few years.
Vinyl fencing will still hold up even in harsh environments. But it may take a little longer for them to show signs of wear. Vinyl fences should last seven or eight years, depending on how much exposure they have each year from inclement weather conditions.
If you live in an area with high winds and snow. Then your vinyl fence won’t last as long as those who live in milder climates without harsh winds and snowfall.
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If you are worried about your vinyl fence holding up in the harsh environment. Then consider investing in a good gate that will buckle and warp even with average winds. You can also add guy wires to your fence to help keep it straight and sturdy in the wind. If you live in an area with high winds, then guy wires should be used with all fences, not just vinyl.
Vinyl fences are usually thinner than wrought iron fences which makes them more vulnerable to damage from strong winds and snow.
When in doubt about whether or not you should purchase a vinyl fence. Or another type of fencing, check with your local jurisdiction for any zoning regulations they may have on fencing materials.
It is better to do some initial research into pricing and security options before you remove any of your fences. Many municipalities have zoning regulations on fencing materials they allow.
If you live in an area that allows poles to be used in most areas, then most vinyl fences are possibly cheaper than decorative wrought iron.
If you live in an area where you can’t place poles in your yard, then the vinyl fence may be the only option for you. If you want to consult with a reliable professional, you can go to timberridgefencecompany.com.
Some fencing contractors will not use steel posts for panel installation in vinyl fences. Because of the weight limit but still use steel posts for gate installation. The panels are up to four feet wide which can weigh up to 20lbs per section.
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If you live in an area that you need a fence that is more secure. Then look into using steel posts. You can get 4×4 or 6×6 steel posts to support your vinyl fence panels.
Steel posts are also great for gates because you can bolt them directly into the ground, unlike wood posts which will need concrete footers to hold the weight of the gate.
If you live in an area that allows posts to be used, then you may want to consider using steel posts along with the vinyl panels.
This will keep the gate from collapsing when someone tries to open it. The wood posts will suffer damage due to snow and ice clogging up the cracks and crevices of the fence. Making them ineffective for gates. When purchasing your fencing materials, make sure you check out whether or not your jurisdiction allows wood posts for security purposes. This will also help you budget for the project.
This is all that you need to know about how much exactly can vinyl fencing last. Though if you need professional help with the same. Then, you can seek help from Bellevue Fencing and get the best help from them for the same.