The Pros and Cons of Composite Fencing
There is no denying that there’s a shift towards building materials that are lower maintenance, and often, that are more environmentally friendly.
Composite fence certainly fits the bill on the first point, and sometimes on the second too. But what are the other pros and cons of composite fencing that you need to know before you choose your next fence.
A Privacy Fence Alternative
Composite fence has been around for a while, but it’s only in recent years that it’s started to look a lot more like natural wood, and become a real contender in the privacy fence marketplace.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes composite fence a great choice, and what might be a problem.
The Pros of Composite Fencing
Let’s start with the list of good things that might sway you towards choosing composite fence for your new fence project.
Composite Fence Is Low Maintenance
The traditional go-to for privacy fence is wood, but wood requires regular maintenance to remove stains, repair broken or rotted boards or clean and restain the fence.
Composite fencing does not require any of that. In fact, once it’s installed, composite fence doesn’t need much maintenance at all.
Standard Sizes and Less Likely to Warp
Wood fences might look great when they are built right, but wood is a natural product, which means that it’s not always exactly the same size. Wood also tends to warp, which can make building a wood fence and getting great results a lot harder.
Designer Colors and Finishes
Composite fencing has come a long way, and these days, you can get it in a wide range of designer colors and styles. The color is usually all the way through, so it can’t be scraped off or start to flake like stain on a wood fence.
Looks More Natural Than Vinyl
Vinyl fence is another popular alternative for privacy fence, but it usually doesn’t look like a natural product. You can get embossed vinyl products that look like woodgrain, but they cost a lot more than standard products.
It’s Strong and Durable
Composite fence is usually solid, unlike vinyl fence which is often a hollow, reinforced design. This makes composite fence physically stronger in many cases. These products even come with 20 year plus warranties in some cases, so when you invest in one, you are going to get a fence that stands the test of time.
Recycled Options
Some composite fence products use recycled plastics and other materials, so they’re an environmentally friendly option.
Cons of Composite Fencing
Of course, there’s always a flip side to every coin, and you can’t talk about the pros and cons of composite fencing without mentioning the cons. Here’s what you need to know.
Not Completely Weatherproof
Composite fence will definitely stand up to the elements better than wood, but it’s not completely impervious to weather. In extreme weather conditions, composite fence can expand or contract, which could affect your fence.
A More Expensive Option
Like vinyl fence, composite fence is more expensive than wood privacy fence, although how much will depend on the fence and the product. However, it’s a good idea to consider the lifetime cost of any fence product. So, since composite fence can last for twenty years or more, factor that into your value for money calculations.
Some Products May Fade
Most modern composite fences are made from fade resistant materials, but there’s always a chance that your fence may fade over time. This usually isn’t a problem unless you have to replace any parts of your fence or add a new section. Even if you buy the same color composite fencing, it will take a while for it to fade to the same shade as your existing fence.
Not Always Stain Resistant
Some composite fence products might be stain resistant, but there are some that are not. Which means that algae growth, water stains and other types of stain might negatively affect your fence.
Sometimes Susceptible to Mold
The last con on our list of composite fence pros and cons is that these kinds of fences can sometimes develop mold, particularly in the grooves between composite fence boards, where moisture can become trapped.
Buy a Quality Composite Fence Product for a Stylish, Durable Alternative to Wood Fence
Many composite fence products don’t suffer from all or even any of the problems on this list. The key to getting a fence that will look great for years to come is to choose a high quality product made and sold by a reputable manufacturer.
If you do choose composite fence for your fence project, also ensure that you hire a fence company that has experience installing it. The last thing you want is to invest in premium fence material and then have it ruined by shoddy workmanship!
