First introduced in the 1980s, vinyl fences last much longer than wood, require virtually no maintenance and are not destroyed by the archenemies of wood (termites, fungi, dry rot and fire). However, vinyl is somewhat more expensive than wood. If you want numbers, you can expect vinyl fences to last 100 years if maintained properly. While wooden fences have a shorter lifespan and can last about 20 years with proper maintenance and frequent repairs.
Vinyl is the best choice for longevity. If it's well maintained, you can expect your vinyl fence to last 100 years. A wooden fence will last about 20 years. If you want a fence that can withstand the outside elements, opt for vinyl.
Wood requires more maintenance in order to resist discoloration caused by strong sunlight or deformation due to humid conditions. On the other hand, vinyl fences are designed to prevent rotting, deforming, breaking and discoloring without any additional maintenance. Vinyl fences last longer than wooden fences, which means you'll have to replace them less often. However, when it comes time to replace your fence, it can be difficult to find a recycling center that accepts vinyl.
Some vinyl fences may be made from recycled content, which can help increase their sustainability. The posts are solid and well-constructed wooden fences generally withstand more extreme weather conditions and problems. Vinyl, on the other hand, can break and break. We've seen it with our neighbor's vinyl fence.
Add an organic texture and the unique grain to each board and you'll see why so many people love wooden fences. While initially both wood and vinyl serve as strong and secure fencing options, over time this may change. Both wood and vinyl have a variety of style options, which in turn can affect the overall cost of both the material and the installation. If you add the total cost of a well-maintained wooden or wrought iron fence, you'll see below how those costs affect the overall price of your fence.
Unless you plan to live in the house for decades, you don't have to spend your limited budget fencing off your large patio entirely with a vinyl fence. It's easy to replace a single board in a wooden fence, and a loose piece of vinyl fence can fall back into place. Because wood absorbs water, wooden fences tend to swell and, in some cases, even rot from the inside out. Well, let's be honest, both vinyl and wooden fences do a brilliant job when it comes to aesthetics.
Wooden fences that warp or bend may need to be replaced to help the fence maintain its integrity. You can buy vinyl fences in kits for easy installation, but they require more care to ensure that each piece is aligned. Although vinyl fences may last longer, the manufacturing process produces dioxins, an environmental pollutant, and this material can leak chemicals into the environment. While vinyl fences were once only available in white, manufacturers now produce them in a wide variety of colors.
Wooden fences with dye or paint will also need new coats of paint every few years to look better. Because vinyl doesn't expand or contract, you can rest easy knowing that there won't be any gaps between the fences to look at.
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