Wood Vs. PVC Fence

Wood has long been the most famous material for residential and commercial fencing for privacy and other purposes here in Australia. This top quality material is easy to cut and assemble. It is easy to work with, relatively cost effective, and widely available. It can also be adapted to most, if not all, landscape styles and designs. Wood’s natural appeal has made it the primary choice for many customers. However, in recent years, new and better materials have been introduced in the market. One of these products is PVC fencing, also known as polyvinyl chloride.

What Is PVC Fencing?

PVC is a petroleum-based material that can be used for a variety of applications in the building industry and one of its latest adaptations is for security and privacy in the form of landscaping fencing products. PVC fence panels are made from the same plastic that is used to create white plastic plumbing pipes. There are some home improvement shops and suppliers now offer PVC fencing components along with preassembled panels, railing, and gate. These privacy fence, which are often installed for additional privacy and protection, are also offered in a few range of colors.

The PVC fence product that was released initially were pretty simple. They were white plastic panels that had shiny surfaces, which were not very natural looking, poor performance and strength. However, after a few years, more colors were added like brown wood shades. Some suppliers like Futurewood offer PVC fencing with wood like textures. Additionally, almost any fencing design can be made out of PVC. To help you decide if PVC fence is the right option for you, here are a few points you need to know.

Appearance

We all know that nothing can compare to the beautiful appearance of real wood. Because of this material’s flexibility, PVC plastic fencing is considered to be more attractive. It is an adaptable material that can be left outdoors to weather naturally. It can also be painted or stained in any way you want. You can also go for a custom built fence if you want one that looks unique to your property.

On the other hand, vinyl fencing or PVC fence may not look as natural as real wood but it has been designed to replicate its look and feel. One notable advantage of using vinyl fence is that its color will not change, which means it does not need repainting, unlike regular wood. A lot of manufacturers address the issues with the visual aesthetics by offering PVC fence products in different textures and colors. There are likewise those who offer special add-ons like shaped post caps and lattice panels.

Ease of Installation

Both PVC fence and wood fence look great once you install it. If you are an avid DIYer, going with PVC fence products will be more beneficial since they are easy to work with because they are lightweight. If you check PVC fencing reviews, you will see that a lot of PVC fence panels do not only have a great style but also made for easy installation. Don’t forget to check local codes and regulations and find out if you need building permits for making new pvc fences, complete with rails, wide fencing gates and other accessories.

Cost

PVC fence was used to be considered as expensive compared to traditional wood panels and the more contemporary material, the composites. However, the cost discrepancy has been narrowed down considerably because PVC fence products have become more widely available. When finding the best fence vinyl material, only do business with a company that offers a warranty on their materials.

Maintenance

PVC picket fence and other designs do not rot or decay. It has high resistance to varying conditions and UV rays, making it an ideal solution for homeowners looking for a fence panel that is strong and durable. It also does not need painting, staining, or sealing. PVC fence products are mostly maintenance free, which is why a lot of homeowners prefer this option. Easy and low maintenance far outweighs appearance as well as other considerations especially when you have a lot of fences to take care of.

Real wood, on the other hand, requires resealing if you want to prevent it from rotting. There are some fence wood types such as cedar, which are naturally oily, which gives it high resistance to rotting. Still, wooden fences require the regular application of surface treatment including sealing or painting. If you don’t want to worry about rotting, then you should go with a PVC fence.

If you want to know more about this type of product and other materials and services we offer, please contact Futurewood now. Our website also features other options for your fencing project, whether it is for your garden, pool, or entire property.