Thinking about installing a fence around your property? Aluminum and vinyl fencing are superior to other types of fences for various reasons.
This article will highlight a few of the inherent advantages of aluminum and vinyl (PVC) fences.
Neither vinyl nor aluminum type require any painting--ever.
Wood fences don't necessarily require painting, but even an unpainted wooden fence will need to be stained and finished to protect it from water.
Wood finish wears thin over time.
Anything outdoors that's made of wood needs to be periodically refinished.
If you prefer a white picket fence and you use wood, you will need to repaint it regularly, since paint chips and cracks over time.
Termites and other wood-destroying insects must be taken into consideration when choosing a type.
You will never have to worry about finding holes burrowed into a vinyl or aluminum fence.
Wood variety can be chemically treated to protect them from termites, carpenter bees, and other destructive vermin, but this is an additional cost that must be factored into the equation.
Also, wood typically requires periodic retreatment.
Wood fences are also subject to wood rot.
Newer ones are often treated to inhibit wood rot, but vinyl and aluminum types do not require any kind of treatment, because they don't rot at all.
Vinyl is subject to chipping and cracking under intense heat, but wood is subject to similar problems.
If durability is a concern, an aluminum type may be the ideal solution for you.
They are less likely to stand up to brutal winds in the event of a hurricane than aluminum.
However, the strength and durability of vinyl fencing is not to be underestimated.
Vinyl is significantly stronger than most kinds of wood.
In the absence of extreme weather conditions, vinyl will generally hold up as well as aluminum.
Both types of material will generally hold out longer than wood.
Chain link fences are just plain ugly.
Both vinyl and aluminum types are far superior aesthetically to a chain-link fence, and many homeowners' associations will not approve chain-link fences.
Their appearance is likely to not only lower the value of your home, but also lower the value of your neighbors' homes as well.
Iron fences are more expensive than aluminum and vinyl, and they are subject to rusting over time.
Sheet metal are suited for industrial and commercial use, but they are generally not usable for most residential installations.
They are solid and designed for function rather than form.
Cleaning is generally an easy thing to do when it comes to, aluminum fences as well as vinyl fences.
Vinyl can generally be pressure-washed with no need for special chemicals.
You might even get away with just spraying them down with a hose every now and then.
The same is true of aluminum type, even when they have been colored with a powder coating.
Unlike wood fences, you don't have to worry about warping with either of these types of fencing.
Aluminum and vinyl fences are generally the most cost-effective types for most homeowners today.
For the reasons listed above, aluminum and vinyl fences have become the gold standard in modern residential perimeter fencing.
Unless you have an unusual situation or highly-specialized needs, one of these types is most likely the best choice for you.
Consult with a contractor in your local area to help determine the best solution for your home and your property.