Vinyl Picket Fence – Traditional Looks, Modern Functionality

It’s difficult to match the traditional, old-fashioned charm of a wood picket fence. It’s a perfect accent piece that provides privacy without being too prohibitive of neighbors. In fact, one might argue it invites people to stop by and chat – over the fence.

Today, that same kind of Old Town friendliness is achieved with the vinyl picket fence. From a distance, a vinyl fence looks exactly like a wood one. Indeed passing by, it would be difficult to tell them apart. Manufacturers have made great strides in achieving an aesthetic that matches the wood picket fence, from the spacing to the fence caps to the finials. The big difference – and thereby advantage – with vinyl is its no-mess maintenance.

Today, many homeowners are opting for the beauty of wood with the worry-free maintenance of vinyl. To clean a vinyl picket fence, all you need is a watering hose and perhaps a scrubber. Some versions may need to be painted every few years, but others require no paint at all – ever. What’s more, a vinyl picket fence is built to withstand the elements, including wind, rain, and snow.

Weather-Beaten Picket Fences?

With a wood fence, you need to be mindful of the weather and weathering. Some homeowners prefer the weathered look, but the next step after “weathered” is damaged and “in need of repair.” With vinyl, such concerns are put away. While wood may turn rustic, vinyl will remain pristine. Indeed, the long-term benefits of “going vinyl” will surface in no time.

Vinyl Picket Fence Prices

Price-wise, a vinyl fence will cost you more than a wood one. However, greater cost today means savings in the future, due to the lack of maintenance, repair, and replacement often required by a wood fence. With vinyl, you are investing in a product to last up to 20 years.

Vinyl is admittedly a relatively new product, but with such advantages, it’s catching on fast. With this said, you should educate yourself on all the details, from the manufacturing process to the included warranty. What’s covered in the warranty? Look for one that will cover the essentials, such as cracking, fading, or yellowing.

A quality vinyl picket fence will be one made from notched rail-fastening systems, with galvanized steel inserts. Despite its cottage-look elegance, you’ll want a fence that’s strong and durable. A fence made with heavy wall posts and rails and that makes use of stainless steel fasteners is one built to withstand the elements and time.

Vinyl fences can be installed by yourself or by a professional. Given the investment, you may wish to hire a professional installer; however, it is definitely a project you can take on by yourself. Just be sure to purchase quality materials. It all starts with the right materials. The vinyl picket fence typically comes in pre-assembled sections, 6’ to 8’ each.

Did you know: Vinyl fencing is available in various styles, including those made to resemble decorative iron fencing. For “wood fences,” choices range from the post-and-rail design to the traditional picket fence.