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So my husband and I are torn between installing wood fencing, versus PVC. PVC we're assuming is more costly to install and maybe also maintain. Is it also something we can install on our own? Your thoughts?
PS. We're looking for durability, low cost, low maintenance, and decent curb appeal (although it's for our backyard). Good vendor recommendation would be welcomed, as well. Rose Fencing is quite popular in our neck of the woods (Baldwin Harbor)
You have to be careful. Cheap PVC is more flimsy so more likely to crack in the cold, it also more likely to discolor. A good PVC fence, wile being more expensive than wood requires alot less maintainance and lasts alot longer than wood.
Whatever you do don't get stockade fence. Many people go for it because it is the cheapest fencing available, but is ugly no matter what you do with it and you will have to start replacing rotted sections after only a few years.
I can tell the future...I'm looking into my crystal ball...
I predict PVC as being one of those "what were we thinking?" trends...just like shag carpet...and dark wood paneling...flowered silver sanitest wall paper...orange formica counter tops...
I agree: PVC = YUCK. I myself will be installing a good old fashioned wood fence this summer. There really isn't too much maintenance on a fence. Plus, PVC is toxic, especially to produce. Do a simple search on the topic, it's an environmental nightmare.
Interesting idea, that PVC is more toxoc than wood. You say a wood fence doesn't require much maintanance. A wood fence that isn't CCA treated will require painting annually. A CCA treated fence will last longer but will leasch arsenic into the ground and if burned will release arsenic into the air. On the other hand PVC is toxic only if burned.
As for PVC being tacky, since no one can tell a modern PVC fence from a good wood fence without touching it, I think you maybe talking about cheaper or older versions
I can tell any PVC fence from over a mile away.
Wood fence requires maintenance every 3 to 5 years under normal conditions.
PVC does require maintenance, especially anything remotely facing north. You will need to clean it every few weeks.
Panel separation is very common.
PVC as it gradually decomposes does release harmful gases into the air.
PVC is noisy too. On windy days you can hear the squeaky scratchy sound between the sections and posts, and especially the gates.
Wood rots. PVC cracks and splits.
Wood is easier to repair if damaged.
Both have their good and bad, it mostly narrows down to personal preference, but just don't blindly believe that if you install PVC that you will never have to touch it, because you will.
I can tell any PVC fence from over a mile away.
Wood fence requires maintenance every 3 to 5 years under normal conditions.
PVC does require maintenance, especially anything remotely facing north. You will need to clean it every few weeks.
Panel separation is very common.
PVC as it gradually decomposes does release harmful gases into the air.
PVC is noisy too. On windy days you can hear the squeaky scratchy sound between the sections and posts, and especially the gates.
Wood rots. PVC cracks and splits.
Wood is easier to repair if damaged.
Both have their good and bad, it mostly narrows down to personal preference, but just don't blindly believe that if you install PVC that you will never have to touch it, because you will.
Karl, I used to operate a small power washing outfit in South Carolina. We washed hundreds of fences a year. Pretty much everything you stated is correct.
The amount of chemical "brighteners" we used on wood fences were probably more of an environmental nightmare -- percarbonate/oxalic acid mixtures, sometimes stronger mixtures depending on the job.
With PVC a simple bleach/water and soap solution were all that were needed. We let it dwell for 5 minutes then washed it off. All the dirt, mold/mildew just melts right off. In our wash mixture, we would inject a "hot wax" to protect the PVC for much longer periods of time. The effort on cleaning a PVC fence that was neglected was no more compared to a wood fence where the cost of materials and time went up as the homeowner allowed the fence to sit for years.
May I suggest trex fencing. they also make decking material that is very good. the one place on LI that has the fencing in stock is in Babylon, however you can also special order it through Home Depot. It is as green as you can get and low maintenance, It has a natural look to it without that phony high gloss PVC look. Do a google search and you will see what I mean.
FYI: From what I've been told/read, they stopped using arsenic in treated wood and switched to some form of copper or copper compound as a replacement.
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