Vinyl fencing has become a popular alternative to other fence materials. With proper maintenance, they can last up to 20 years, and they’re recyclable when they reach the end of their life. Vinyl pickets are also stain and mold-resistant, and they don't shrink or warp when exposed to water and sunlight like wood does.
What are Vinyl Fences Made of?
Vinyl fences have become a popular alternative to other fence materials. They're durable, easy to install, and come in many styles and colors.
Vinyl fences are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin. This material is flexible and strong enough to be bent into various shapes without breaking or cracking. Unlike wood or metal, vinyl won't rot over time; it will last for years with minimal maintenance. These qualities also make vinyl fences fairly impact-resistant, making them more difficult to puncture.
Cost of a Vinyl Picket Fence
The cost of a vinyl picket fence depends on the size and style. Vinyl fences are generally more expensive than chain link but less expensive than wood. Some factors that influence cost are:
- Perimeter of the fence
- Height of the fence
- Whether or not the fence is installed on an incline
- Style of the fence
The average price range for a vinyl picket fence with installation is between $2,900 and $5,700.
Download our cost guide for an in-depth comparison of pricing for different styles of fences.
Vinyl Picket Fence Maintenance Tips
Vinyl picket fences require a little maintenance to stay in good condition. Here are some tips for keeping your vinyl fence looking great:
- Clean the fence regularly with a hose or pressure washer. This removes dirt and grime from the surface of the pickets, helping them maintain their original color longer.
- Check your fences regularly for loose parts, such as caps and screws that could fall out, and tighten them back into place!
- Keep the area around your fence free of extra brush, lawn equipment, or toys. In the event of a severe storm, having these items secured away from the fence lowers the risk they will be knocked into it (or anything else, for that matter!).
The Lifespan of Vinyl Picket Fence
The average lifespan is around 20 years, but some manufacturers claim that their products can last longer. Of course, the better maintained the fence, the longer it will last!
The durability of a vinyl fence makes it a better option than wood fences, which generally only have an average lifespan of 12-15 years. As we mentioned, they also won’t mold or rot!
If you currently have a vinyl fence, it might be time to replace it if:
- The color has severely faded, or a white fence is severely yellowed
- Several pickets are missing or broken
- Sections of the fence have collapsed
- The vinyl has become brittle and is easy to break
Styles of Vinyl Picket Fences
Vertical Slats
Vertical slats are probably what you think of when you think of a picket fence. Vertical slat picket fences have the pickets arranged on horizontal bars. Vinyl picket fences come in sections of pickets where only the beginning and end of each section is anchored into the ground, and the remaining pickets rest just above it.
Vertical slat-style picket fences can come in different picket spacings, or the gap between each picket, that allows more or less visibility into the yard. The top of a vertical picket can also come in different styles, such as flat, rounded, or pointed.
Depending on the type of vertical pickets, these may or may not be able to be graded along a steep incline. If your yard has an incline and you’re considering this style of fence, make sure to check with your installer if the panels can be graded.
Horizontal Slats
Horizontal slats are attached horizontally along vertical anchoring posts. As with vertical slats, the horizontal slats can be arranged with more or less space between them.
Vinyl Colors
If a classic white picket fence isn’t your style — no worries! Since vinyl is a type of plastic, it can come in many colors. Depending on the type of vinyl, these colors are also highly fade-resistant, so they stay looking like new for years to come!
Can Vinyl Fences be Recycled?
Yes, vinyl fences are recyclable. In fact, most recycling centers accept vinyl fences and other similar products as part of their regular drop-off programs. Some cities also have special recycling programs for these fences that can help you get rid of your old ones without paying for disposal services in your town or city limits.
Recycling a vinyl fence is a great way to ensure it doesn’t end up in a landfill. Vinyl is a type of plastic, so just like an empty bottle of soda, it’s important to reuse and recycle vinyl to protect the environment and reduce plastic waste.
There are many reasons why vinyl picket fences are so popular. They're affordable and easy to maintain but also offer a sense of style and elegance that other fence materials cannot match. If you're looking for an alternative to wood or aluminum fencing, we highly recommend considering a vinyl picket fence as your next home improvement project!
