| There's nothing worse than having to go out and | | | | * Easy maintenance. Vinyl only needs to be |
| paint a fence every few years. Up and down. Up | | | | washed to maintain its appearance. There's no |
| and down. It feels like your arms will fall off! For | | | | need to paint it - ever! |
| those who hate dealing with the regular, routine | | | | * The color is the same throughout. Wood fencing |
| maintenance associated with wood fencing, vinyl | | | | can have one color on the surface and another |
| fencing is a solid alternative. It has some great | | | | inside. This will make scratches, dings, dents and |
| advantages over wood with very few downfalls. | | | | especially breaks stand out more. This isn't the |
| Vinyl fencing is a fairly new creation that was | | | | case with vinyl. Vinyl hides imperfections well. |
| born out of all things - the PVC pipe industry. | | | | Cons: |
| That's right. PVC pipe is some incredible stuff. It's | | | | * Movement. Vinyl expands when it's heated. This |
| not just for plumbing any more. Everything from | | | | means it can move. If it gets extremely hot, it |
| furniture and robots to fences are made from | | | | can take on the properties no one wants to see |
| this stuff, and there's a good reason for it: It's | | | | in their fencing. The good news, however, is that |
| easy to work with, it holds its appearance and it's | | | | this only occurs in extreme temperatures nearing |
| simple to maintain. | | | | the 200 degrees F range! |
| Vinyl fencing has come a long way since it was | | | | * Colors are limited. Because of the heating issues, |
| first introduced. Earlier models of the fencing, | | | | vinyl fencing can only be found in light colors. It |
| made from PVC, were prone to break down | | | | can, of course, be made to resemble wood, |
| after exposure in the sun. Now, specialized coating | | | | which is not a bad thing, but you won't find it in |
| is used to protect the material's form, shape and | | | | darker, wood colors. And if you do, stay away! |
| appearance. In fact, the vinyl fencing made today | | | | Vinyl fencing is a great way to go for |
| stands up better-than-well in the elements, but it | | | | homeowners or businesses that don't want to |
| did take some time for manufacturers to figure | | | | spend a lot of time on maintenance. More |
| out a process to make that so. | | | | expensive than wood or chain link, the costs can |
| Vinyl is a bit different than wood when it comes | | | | be justified by the fact this fencing doesn't need |
| to fencing. It has its advantages and | | | | to be painted or treated and it tends to stand up |
| disadvantages. They include: Pros: | | | | to the test of time better. It's stronger and more |
| * Vinyl is strong. It's harder than break or tear | | | | durable and simply only requires a good cleaning |
| than wood and it's flexible, too. Considering its | | | | to look brand new again. For many the |
| plastic qualities, it's also very good at holding its | | | | investment is well worth the time savings vinyl |
| shape. | | | | presents. |