A synthetic fence, plastic fence or (when made of vinyl) vinyl or PVC fence is a fence made using synthetic plastics, such as vinyl (PVC), polypropylene,[1] nylon,[2] polythene (polyethylene) ASA, or from various recycled plastics. Composites of two or more plastics can also be used to increase strength and UV stability of a fence. Synthetic fencing was first introduced to the agricultural industry in the s as low-cost, durable horse fencing. Now, synthetic fencing is used for agricultural fencing, horse race track running rail, and residential use. Synthetic fencing is generally available preformed, in a wide variety of styles. It tends to be easy to clean, resists weathering and has low maintenance requirements. However, it also can be more expensive than comparable materials, and cheaper products can be less sturdy than more traditional fence materials. Some types may become brittle, faded or degrade in quality after long exposure to extreme hot or cold conditions. Recently, titanium dioxide (TiO2) and other UV stabilisers have proven to be a beneficial additives in the manufacturing process of vinyl. This has greatly improved the durability of vinyl by providing essential UV protection from the sun's harmful rays, preventing premature ageing and cracking of the product, making it more durable than other materials such as wood.[3]
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Synthetic materials used for residential fences can be in a solid cast form, or a reinforced hollow rail design that resembles sawn timber, Most commonly extruded profiles. Higher quality vinyl fence components are ribbed or include reinforcements, often of aluminium, for added strength. For agricultural use, synthetic fencing can consist of a heavy synthetic strapping product inlaid with cable, synthetic-coated high-tensile wire, or a synthetic coating over a wood or metal rail or plank. Residential synthetic fencing products are usually hollow, and thus too fragile to contain livestock, but some designs may be suitable for containing dogs or other pets. Residential grade rails are also made of a thinner material.
Synthetic fences are used as the side-rails along horse racecourses, because they make a good visual barrier for the horses, but are unlikely to cause injury if horses break through them.
Synthetic fence profiles are made in a wide range of sizes and shapes. They come in many different colors which are integrated during the extrusion process, which means they do not require painting. Usually this ability to resist discoloration leads many manufacturers to offer very long warranties, from decades up to "lifetime" for some brands.
Synthetic fence posts are placed into pre-dug holes, or sometimes the synthetic post is fitted over a pre-set post of wood, rebar, or pipe for additional sturdiness. Rails or pickets are inserted into specifically designed slots and grooves within the rails.
Synthetic fence materials are often in the form of rigid rails or posts, but flexible forms are also used, including mesh for hazard fencing or deer fencing, or string, rope or tape of polypropylene interwoven with stainless steel wires for electric fences ("electric braid").
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In most cases, there&#;s a lot more that goes into finding the perfect fence than just selecting a picture from a catalog. Each of the most popular backyard fencing options excels in different areas and is attuned to different lifestyles or uses. To help you make the most informed decision about what matters to you, we&#;re ranking the best fence materials right here.
At Freedom Fence & Railing, we&#;re a Pittsburgh, PA Fence company that goes above and beyond with our installation and our service. Since we&#;re dedicated to helping our clients find the right fence for their needs, we&#;re sharing our unbiased rankings of aluminum, vinyl, and wooden fences. Keep reading to get the scoop on these three leading backyard fencing options &#; or talk to our team right now to get your quote and to see material samples!
All of these options are great and can be perfect for certain homeowners &#; that&#;s why we proudly install all three. The purpose of these rankings is to help you find the best fence material for you based on what you really care about. We&#;re breaking down how each of these fences fares in terms of maintenance needs, total lifespan, privacy potential, style options, and color choices:
Easiest to Own (Fewest Maintenance Needs)
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While both vinyl and aluminum fences never require the serious maintenance that wooden fences need, aluminum takes the top spot. That&#;s because vinyl fences may need washed periodically with soap and water to look their best &#; whereas aluminum fences won&#;t even need that. Simply put, an aluminum fence is the number one backyard fencing option for those who care about convenience.
Longest Lifespan
Aluminum and vinyl fences are tied for the best fence material here. Since both of these deluxe fencing materials are 100% immune to rot, mold, and wear from the elements, you can expect them to last 50+ years and look great the entire time. Since wooden fences are a natural product, they don&#;t have all of the same protection and will only last around 15 years on average.
Most Style Variety
Style is subjective, so we can&#;t rank the best styles &#; just which fencing material offers the most different options. Vinyl fences come in a huge range of different styles, including open yard fences, full privacy fences, and picket options &#; all of which come with a variety of custom touches. Wooden fences have a strong variety as well. While aluminum fences may certainly have a striking style, most have a similar (albeit gorgeous) look with just a few differences among them!
Explore some of the most beautiful fences we&#;ve installed!
Most Color Variety
You might not expect it but there are a staggering variety of aluminum fence colors from standards like black and bronze to options like silver and speckled walnut. While vinyl fences offer modest color variety, wooden fences simply offer the naturalistic color of stained wood.
Privacy Potential
Backyard privacy is one of the most important reasons that many people look into getting a fence in the first place. Both vinyl and wood come with dedicated privacy lines that make them tied for the best fencing material for backyard seclusion. These dedicated privacy models feature tall panels without any space between them to keep prying eyes away from your backyard. On the other hand, the reason aluminum fences are gaining popularity is their open and modern look that while attractive, is not suited to privacy.
Check out some of our favorite privacy fence designs.
While your fence may be your big home project for this year, your porch and deck railings deserve your attention, too. Just like with a new fence, upgraded railing systems will enhance the look of your space as well as provide you enhanced style and maintenance-free convenience. We offer lines of deluxe railings made of vinyl and aluminum &#; which boast many of the same benefits as their fence counterparts.
Trust us for your new outdoor railing installation.
The right backyard fencing options depend so much on your needs, your backyard style, and your budget. That&#;s why we often recommend the homeowners we work with to get quotes from us on multiple styles of fences. If you&#;re interested in moving forward, the first step is to schedule a conversation with our experts. Not only will we able to give you free quotes and honest guidance for the best material for your project, but we&#;ll be able to show you sample materials as well.
Reach out right now to schedule a consultation!
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