PVC verses Wood Fencing

[Applebear]

I am in the process of refinancing my home and looking to put up a nice big fence. I have been looking forward to this for my dogs and can't wait to have a way to go out with them off leash for some yard fun.

I was originally looking at pvc/vinyl [6 ft privacy], but after talking to a couple contractors they both said they didn't think it was very good and poor quality, and recommended wood [weather treated and stained]. I talked to a friend who said she has had a convo with her dog crowd and they all said they love pvc and have no problems.

Looking around the neighborhood, I see a few of these fences [various types and sizes] and though they don't look the sturdiest, I have no real evidence to confirm it's reality. I am wondering what everyone has here and/or what they would recommend.

It's not going to be any time soon I will have this chance again, so I want to try to pick the best [within reason] I can.

 

[Barb04]

I have cedar fencing which is supposed to last 20 years but with the heat down here in Tennessee, it dries quickly. I replace boards as they split. It's only been 6+ years.

My friend as a 3 rail post pvc fence with wire fencing behind so her dogs don't go out. They have to clean it every year since dirt & mold stick to the pvc.

If I had to do it over, I'd go with treated wood instead of cedar. I do like the look of pvc solid fencing. I think there are different qualities available.

When I lived in the northeast, I always had chain link fencing. I love it in black; it's just fades into the background.

 

[Greenmagick]

I admit I am not a huge fan of the look of PVC. We have both pressure treated and cedar fencing...cedar being sturdier and lasting longer for sure. Now, it CAN be scratched up and chewed by really persistent dogs (my husky mix did cause us to have to replace a couple boards) but other than that, its awesome still 10 years later.

One caveat also, make sure your source is good. Many of the big box stores may have cheaper prices but the actual wood may be cheaper, thinner, or more warped to start as well.

 

[Kat09Tails]

PVC scratches and gouges and looks like crap if you have a dog who likes to work the fence or have kids who may occasionally hit the fence with something.

On the plus side it is harder to scale for most dogs than a traditional wood fence and you're less likely to run into the dog who freaks out at the gaps in the fence (because there are none).

I've never noticed a strength difference between either of them when properly installed. I've seen both worked by wind and heat. I'll let you know in another ten years how pvc hardware does with salt water damage.

 

[Beanie]

We built my privacy fence out of treated lumber after talking to my neighbour, who has a PVC privacy fence. The PVC isn't very sturdy in his experience, and the prep work to put it up was pretty much identical to what we had to do for the wood fence. The only part that went any faster was the part where we put the rails and boards up - he basically just had to set his panel in.

Our boards we set next to each other so the gaps between boards are very very small. So far Auggie has not decided to stare through them and make faces (bark) at other people or dogs the way he does at my parents where the boards aren't placed so tightly together.

 

[Applebear]

Thanks for the replies. Think from what I'm reading, I'll stick with the treated wood and stain. I don't really see my dogs messing with the fence much, but I think in the long run, I'll be happier with the wood.

I considered chain link for awhile, but I really want the privacy [and it sounds like a pain and just as pricey to make a chain link private as just getting wood]. Plus it'll discourage kids from thinking they need a closer look...I supervise my dogs, but I've had some walk right up to my dogs [while I'm RIGHT there] and tease them...I don't really like having to tell them to move along when they should have the common sense in first place.

 

[Shai]

We had a 6ft treated wood privacy fence at a previous house. It worked well, just make sure to get and keep some extra boards so if a couple snap or warp in the first year or two due to some flaw that wasn't readily apparent it'll be easy to pull the problem board and replace with a matching one.