Vinyl fence

[KubotaSteve]

My brother is looking to put up a 6 foot high fence with very little maintenance. He is leaning towards the vinyl fencing panels seen at Home Depot and Lowes but has been told by others this type of fencing is very flimsy and doesn't do that well.
First does anyone have any experience with this vinyl fencing? Are there different types of grades of vinyl fencing?
And finally what other types of low maintenance 6ft. privacy fence are out there.
He lives in a subdivision on a very small lot. He has gotten material costs on the vinyl fencing ranging from $3,000 to $7,000 with us doing all the work.
Thanks in advance fellas!

 

[BB_TX]

I looked into vinyl fencing a year or so ago and am still considering it. I looked at several fences in my area and, yes, they do feel a little flimsy. However, there are different grades. The "standard", if I remember correctly, has rails that are 1 1/2" x 5 1/2". But they also make some that are a full 2"x6" and are supposedly much stronger (and also more costly). But even the standard ones that I have looked at and have been in place for several years still look good and seem to be holding up well structurally. I googled for vinyl fence, found several manufacturers, emailed for info and quotes, and even got a sample piece of rail from one. Still undecided though.

 

[Scrounger]

We have a combination of wood split rail and vinyl at our current home. We're building and I'm thinking of going all vinyl now. Their is a world of difference in the quality of vinyl from the depot stores like Lowes and Home Depot as compared to a commercial installed product. The vinyl is thinker and the installation is different also. Talk to a professional fence installer and see if you can buy materials from them. I've been trying this in my area with little luck so I plan to start calling out of the area.

 

[Golfgar4]

I can't give you any specific information about vinyl fencing, as I've never used any. But I frequently drive by a large apartment/condo complex that has it. It looks real pretty because it always appears to be really white. But there are large sections that clearly are cracked and/or missing chunks, especially where the rails meet the posts. It would appear this is a result of cold weather causing the vinyl to become brittle and breaking. That's only a guess, mind you!

Now granted, this may be lesser quality fencing than what you're loking at. But it sure looks tacky as you drive by. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[riptides]

I have had excellent results with vinyl fence.
We use it for horse pastures.

No problems with temperature issues, hot or cold.

Easily maintained, i.e. wipe it down to clean it.
Easily repaired. Pop a board out to replace them.
Replace three boards on 4+ acres of fencing, due to horses bolting through because of fright. No injury to horses occurred.

When I do fencing again, it will be vinyl. No question about it.

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Fireman_dcb]

We put up RAMM Centure fencing around a 4 acre pasture and LOVE it! No maintenance, horses rub against it with no issues, no warping, no painting - just tighten up the tension adjusters every year and that's the extent of our maintenance.
We got the 4" wide fencing that has high tensil strength wire at the top and bottom edges. I put it up on 4x4 posts over a 3 day period with no issues - except I shoudl have rented a pneaumatic nailer, banging in 820 3" nails was a pain.

I would highly recommend it.