How Long Does Vinyl Fence Last? (Explained)

Most Vinyl fences last About 20 years.  The material may begin to lose its color and form into unattractive formations. Chemical stains, an environmental factor often cause vinyl fences to absorb certain toxic chemicals.

Vinyl fence manufacturers claim Vinyl is very durable, but not as hardy as some other fencing materials. Some Metal or aluminum fences can last more than 25 years. While others may only last a few years before they begin to rust or corrode. Vinyl fencing can be made stronger by using thicker plastic.

Why Does Vinyl Fence Last Longer?

1) Strength – Vinyl fences are thick so they don’t break easily.

2) Durability – Vinyl is resistant to hurricanes, rust, salt water, and ice.

3) UV protection – The topcoat on vinyl provides an extra layer of sun protection.

4) Aesthetic appeal- Vinyl has the potential to last 20 years without looking ratty

5) Low maintenance- It doesn’t require much care! After heavy storms, it may be necessary to replace some panels or grates that have blown off during strong winds.

 How Long Does a Black Vinyl Fence Last?

Black vinyl fencing can last 10 years, and longer if it is cared for properly.

The color of your fence will fade over time and even though black does not rust like metal fences often do, the sun may wear down the color of your fence within a few years.

Fences should be regularly cleaned with a vinyl cleaner to help them stay looking fresh and new. 

How Long Does a Green Vinyl Fence Last?

Green Vinyl Fencing usually lasts about 15 years before it needs to be replaced. Most Colors of Vinyl fences will end up fading after several years in direct sunlight.

If you choose a darker color in order to avoid this problem, be aware that a dark color green or brown will absorb heat from the sun in warmer months.

How Long Does White Vinyl Fence last?

White vinyl fencing will usually fade after about 5 years of exposure to the sun. It is best to keep your white vinyl fence in the shade as often as possible.

You should also clean your vinyl fence as often as possible with only a vinyl cleaner. You should not use any other cleaners or bleach as they can damage the color of the fence.

How Long Does Vinyl Fence Last in Florida?

In Florida, vinyl fencing can last up to 15 years. The weather conditions in Florida do cause some rusting and fading.

It’s predicted to last 10 years without too much rusting, but after the 15th year, it’s expected that there will be some rusting. To prevent rusting, it’s important to stay on top of the painting and clean your vinyl fencing.

Please read Florida fence laws here.

How Often Does Vinyl Fence Need to be Replaced?

The life of vinyl fencing is determined by two factors: the type of posts used to support it and how well it’s cared for.

While most California homes use 4×4 or 6×6 beam posts in their fencing, these posts rot quickly in coastal regions where weather conditions are not well controlled (e.g., when they’re exposed to airwaves from the ocean).

For this reason, many fences built along the coast without proper installation will need replacement before 30 years have passed.

In most areas of the country, however, vinyl is expected to last between 15 and 30 years. This means that it’s often possible to recoup a good amount of the cost by reselling the home when replacement time comes.

It’s worth noting, however, that if you’re going to sell your home in less than five years, you’ll almost certainly come out ahead by paying for the replacement.

Does Vinyl Fencing Last Longer than Wood?

Vinyl has the capability to last significantly longer than wood. It can last anywhere between 15 and 30 years (30 is only if the fence is properly maintained).

Moneywise, vinyl will normally cost less than wood, but it still requires more upkeep. It’ll need to be cleaned, considered waterproofing, and even painted for color, So costs will vary.

Wood on the other hand does not require as much attention so long as one doesn’t want new or “better” looking boards on their border or siding.

Wood fencing will last between five to seven years. If you’re in a place that has harsh weather conditions, you might want to consider getting vinyl fencing, because it will last longer.

Which is Better: Vinyl or Wood?

Wood fencing lasts between 5 and 7 years and in some cases even less than that. Vinyl fencing lasts between 15 and 30 years, but it will cost more than wood because of its qualities.

For example, vinyl siding is waterproof, so you don’t need to pay for waterproofing or painting. You can leave your siding white or black until the color fades away.

Wood on the other hand is not as good in weather conditions as vinyl is, which means you’ll have to paint it every few years or clean it.

What are the Signs of Damage? 

If you’re not sure if your vinyl fence has been damaged, look for the following signs:

-The color is fading: vinyl doesn’t fade easily, so if your fence does, it might have been patched.

-There are discolored patches of vinyl: these are caused by water damage

-Small holes in the vinyl: small holes can be patched.

-Sagging in between panels: sagging in between panels can be fixed by realigning the panels.

-Deterioration at the bottom of posts: this is caused by rot, and the only way to fix it is through replacement.

-Paint or dirt on the boards: this means that the fence has been repaired or patched, and it’s a sign of damage.

-Chips or cracks in the boards: these can be patched, but you should look for them and replace the board as soon as possible.

-Rust around the posts or hardware: you can remove the rust by sanding.

-Leaks around the posts:  this is caused by rot at the bottom of the posts. You can fix this with replacement.

-Bumps or bulges along with the panels:  the bump is caused by dirt or debris, while the bulge is caused by moisture. You can fix either problem with cleaning.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s possible that your fence has been damaged. It’s important to fix the problem right away because otherwise, it could lead to bigger problems down the road.

Read More:

• Can weed eater damage your vinyl fence ?
• How much wind can a vinyl fence handle ?

What are the Factors that can Shorten the Life Expectancy of your Vinyl Fence?

The factors that can shorten the life expectancy of your vinyl fence include:

1. Sun and ultraviolet rays – UV rays will break down the plastic, causing it to become brittle and eventually crack and chip off.

2. Soil – Constant grounding on the soil will cause the vinyl to weaken and eventually break, as constant contact with the dirt breaks down the material.

3. Salt and chloride – These chemicals from snow or salty water from the ocean, from traffic from cars, or from construction, can also make a play a part in breaking down vinyl. Chloride is about 95% chlorine which gives off a toxic gas when it touches PVC.

4. Heat – Vinyl fencing can be damaged with too much heat because plastics are sensitive to heat and it can cause warping, melting, or discoloration.

5. Vinyl Fence Manufacturers – Make sure you pick a vinyl fence manufacturer who uses high-quality materials and has experience in installing vinyl fence panels. It is better to go with a name brand that stands behind their product rather than go with an anonymous no-name that might cost less but will not last as long!

6. The instruction manual that comes with your vinyl fence should specify how severe these conditions may be and whether there are special ways to protect the fencing from such damage.

There are certain procedures for the installation of fences by different manufacturers which can increase the life expectancy of your fencing material along with proper maintenance during and after it’s installed on your property.

7. Maintenance and yearly inspections should be part of your vinyl fence installation so you can catch and fix anything that is causing damage to the panels before it’s too late.

Check the posts, the rails, infill panels, and other parts for any signs of wear or damage that could potentially shorten the life span of your vinyl fencing material.

8. Don’t forget about normal wear and tear such as foot traffic on it such as kids playing near it or if you have dogs which might scratch at it. Repairing these scratches will increase the longevity of your vinyl fence!

9. When installing a new fence make sure there are no loose screws or nails in between vinyl fence panels otherwise this could cause blisters after installation because pressure builds up and eventually causes the vinyl fencing to split.

10. One of the most obvious ways for damage to occur is if your fence becomes attacked by animals such as rats, mice, bugs, or even termites.

We all know that’s something we don’t want! This can be avoided with proper maintenance and inspection of your vinyl fencing after it has been installed.

Conclusion

Vinyl fencing is great for many reasons. It’s durable, low maintenance, and can last a long time. But it does need to be maintained by the owner so that it will continue looking good over time.

The biggest contributors to vinyl damage are sun exposure or ultraviolet rays, soil contact, salt or chloride from snow or salty water from oceans, construction near your fence (or traffic), heat, and finally manufacturers of the material who sell high-quality products rather than cheap knockoffs with no warranty!.

These factors should all be considered when installing new fences outside on your property as well as what might happen if you plan on buying pre-made panels for an indoor installation.