Which is Better, Wood, Metal or Vinyl Fencing in Coastal Climates?

vinyl fences in coastal climatesThe biggest problem facing backyard fences in coastal climates is the coastal climate. Many homeowners ask us how vinyl compares to more traditional backyard fences, hoping to extend the life of their new fence beyond that of the fence they are replacing. We are happy to tell them that the wear and tear the climate causes to their wood, steel, and cast-iron fences does not affect our superior vinyl fencing.

The 3 causes of fence damage in coastal climates are:

  1. Brine
  2. Rain
  3. Heat

Brine

The beauty of the ocean has its benefits, but the weather and the view can spoil and be spoiled by outdoor products, like fencing. Brine, or salt water, is carried on the breeze, and splashed up on the shore, and can’t really be avoided by any fences in the area.

Wooden fences absorb the salt water, causing swelling, rotting and decomposition. Often these fences collapse and become overgrown by moss and other vegetation.

Metal fences, whether cast-iron or galvanized, coated, bare or painted, the brine can cause the metal to rust and fall apart.

Vinyl fences won’t rust, corrode, decompose, splinter, crack, peel. Vinyl stays strong, clean and beautiful, year after briny year.

Rain

Rain, like brine, can cause a lot of problems. Wooden fences need additional protection every 6 months or at least every year, to hold up to the constant barrage of falling rain. Eventually, wooden fences will succumb to the rain and begin to swell, warp, crack and decay. It can take a few years for the end to come, but the process begins the day your wooden fence is installed, and the fence becomes ugly, frail, brittle and unapproachable long before it fails entirely.

Steel and cast-iron react to rain the same way they react to brine, they corrode and require expensive ongoing maintenance to remain attractive and functional.

Vinyl, on the other hand, can stand up to heavy rainfall without corrosion, rusting, cracking or peeling. You will never have to treat your vinyl fence to protect it against adverse weather conditions, it’s a maintenance-free beauty that will long outlast your old metal or wooden fence.

Heat

Heat is the secret ingredient that can be added to either rain or brine to cause the most damage to wooden and metal fences. Heating rain or brine soaked wood is what causes swelling, warping and ultimately cracking. It creates the weaknesses that will eventually destroy wooden fences.

Steel and wrought iron, on the other hand, become untouchable in high spring and summer heat. Again, the combination of rain or brine and heat causes increased corrosion and erosion. The evaporation speeds up the oxidation and makes the whole process of wearing out your fence faster and more dramatic.

Our vinyl fence is made from a special formula, so it is stronger than regular PVC or vinyl. Our fences contain 12 parts of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) and other inhibitors. This ensures that our fences will not only stand up to the heat but prevent, yellowing, peeling and cracking. Our fences are so well made that they can stand up to the full heat of an Arizona summer (117 degrees or more) in direct sunlight, without becoming hot to the touch!

We guarantee that if you set up our vinyl fence in your yard, you will not have anything to fear from your coastal heat, brine or rain.