Vinyl fencing is becoming increasingly popular with homeowners in the United States. It has many advantages, including being easy to install and having a wide variety of styles and colors. However, there is a common misconception that, once installed, vinyl fencing never needs to be maintained. Furthermore, while vinyl fencing that is maintained can easily last 20 years, problems typically start to develop with age.
Maintenance
First of all, a vinyl fence needs to be cleaned at least once a year. This is easy enough to do with a power-washer on a low setting or even by hand, but, if it isn’t done, mold and mildew start to develop. From there, the vinyl begins to weaken despite being made from durable PVC.
Again, washing a vinyl fence is not difficult. You simply need some soapy water and some elbow grease, but it’s important to note that you can’t just have a vinyl fence installed and then forget about it.
Once vinyl fencing is damaged, it is difficult to repair. While you can sand or replace a section of wood fencing that is damaged, you usually have to replace the entire panel if it’s made of vinyl. Furthermore, it may be difficult to find an exact match with the original, especially if you don’t know who installed it.
Warping
Over time, vinyl begins to warp from both heat and cold. Once the warping begins, you will see gaps in the fencing and sections will possibly come detached from one another. There isn’t a whole lot you can do about this; it’s just something that happens with age, and it often comes as a bad surprise to homeowners who believe that, because it’s made of plastics, vinyl fencing will maintain its original shape forever.
Appearance
Vinyl fencing has to be washed at least once a year not only to prevent moisture buildup but also to keep it looking decent. An unwashed fence takes on a dingy appearance over the years, and, while this discoloration may not be immediately apparent, it’s something that brings down the curb appeal of the property. Furthermore, even when vinyl fencing is clean, it can look gaudy when strong light is on it at night.
All of the above isn’t to say that vinyl fencing is necessarily a bad investment. Rather, it is simply important to realize that vinyl fencing is not the greatest thing since sliced bread, and you may want to go with chain-link or wood fencing for your home, especially considering that these materials are usually cheaper. If you do decide to put up vinyl fencing, make sure you buy a few extra panels because you are likely to need them! If you live in Johnson City, TN or a surrounding area and need vinyl fence services, make your first call to Bear Roots Fence Company.
