What are the pros and cons of vinyl fences?

Question: What are the pros and cons of vinyl fences?

Vinyl fences are a popular alternative to their traditional, wooden counterparts....

Answer: While much fencing designed for privacy or decoration is made of wood, vinyl fences (or "PVC fences") are garnering an increasingly large share of the market. Please see below for the pros and cons of vinyl fences.

The pros of vinyl fences are as follows:

• Vinyl fences offer low maintenance -- never paint or stain again.
• At a distance, vinyl fences resemble the traditional wood fence designs for which they are substitutes.
• Vinyl fences don't splinter, making them a child-friendly alternative.

• Since PVC does expand and contract as temperatures fluctuate, vinyl fences become more brittle in the cold, making them susceptible to damage.
• Another drawback is the price. Vinyl fences are more expensive than their wooden counterparts in terms of upfront cost. However, you may save money with vinyl fences in the long run, after maintenance costs for wood are considered.

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