Choosing a fence is a distinctly personal choice. Individuals have very different needs when they decide to have a fence installed, along with materials from which to select. There are a variety of factors to be fully considered. Individuals should place serious thought into why they want or need a fence before erecting one.

Needs

The most common reason for installing a fence is to protect children and pets. The right fence contains youngsters and pets from getting into traffic. It provides safety and security against people entering the yard, along with predations from dangerous domesticated animals and wildlife.

A fence is an effective boundary marker for neighbors, passers-by and would-be intruders, while providing an increased level of privacy. Individuals may want additional curb appeal, to hide unattractive elements in the yard, or conceal valuable property. For those living near waterways or dangerous slopes, bluffs or cliffs, fencing aids in preventing accidents, injuries and even the potential of a fatality.,

Pricing

It’s essential that individuals know what their budget is for fencing. The cost of a fence will vary considerably, depending on the area being fenced, the gate design, labor costs, and the type of material chosen. Individuals will also need to weigh the cost against practicality and functionality.

Materials

Chain link is the cheapest and easiest to install. Wood is the next least expensive option, with pine being the cheapest. Exotic woods such as teak and redwood are available at premium costs. They’re followed by vinyl/PVC fencing, composite fencing, aluminum, brick and stone, and wrought iron.

Beauty vs Practical

Everyone wants a beautiful fence that will enhance property value. However, the most attractive fencing may not be the most practical for the property owner’s needs. There may also be restrictions on the type, height or material that can be used, depending on where the property owner lives.

There are many reasons to choose a PVC fence. The choice will depend on what an individual wants from their fence.

Low Maintenance

Property owners won’t be spending their time painting, staining or applying preservatives to a PVC fence. It’s unattractive to termites and boring insects, so individuals won’t have to worry about chemical applications. The material won’t rot or rust and it’s also easy to clean with soap and water. PVC fences that are washed every 6 to 12 months tend to last an average of 5 to 7 years longer than if it’s not cleaned.

Durability

Manufactured with 10 percent titanium oxide coating, it’s an effective UV inhibitor that protects against fading from the sun’s rays. PVC has a tensile strength of 5 times that of wood. With a solid foundation, PVC fencing can withstand winds of 110 mph and gusts of up to 130 mph before sustaining damage. It typically comes with a long warranty and can provide an average of 20 to 30 years of service before it ever needs to be replaced. PVC fencing is fire resistant. The material doesn’t ignite easily and tends to self-extinguish. PVC is temperature tolerant and well able to withstand the hot South Florida sun without cracking.

Attractive

The fencing is visually appealing with great aesthetic value in any location. It has multiple colors, styles, textures and can be customized in various ways. It’s offered in styles that emulate the look of real wood and stone.

Recyclable

One of the many benefits of PVC fencing is that it’s  now chemically recyclable thanks to a breakthrough process innovated at the University of Michigan. The fencing doesn’t need to be treated with preservatives or insect repellants.

Cost Effective

While property owners will have a greater initial outlay for PVC fencing, it pays for itself over the long-term, making it a cost effective solution.

Water is one of the most damaging elements any fence will face, particularly wooden fences. While a sprinkler system won’t affect other fencing materials as radically, water will still result in damage that requires repairs and extra maintenance.

It’s just one of the reasons that irrigation systems should always be installed by a professional and never near fencing. They have the knowledge needed to adjust irrigation heads so water isn’t deposited on fences and other undesirable areas. Even if the heads in your irrigation are adjusted correctly, you may not be as fortunate if the system is your neighbor’s.

Rotting

Wood is a porous material that allows water to penetrate the surface. Even with stain, paint ot wood protectants, any tiny untreated spot will allow moisture to enter. That moisture will cause the wood to rot – at an accelerated rate than normal. It shortens the lifespan of the fence and disrupts its functionality.

Shifting

The amount of water applied through sprinkles doesn’t seem like much, but over time it can cause shifting of fence poles and the surrounding soil. This is especially true if it rains soon after the lawn has been watered.

Discoloration

Even fencing constructed from the most modern materials can experience discoloration from sprinklers. Minerals in water supplies, such as iron or calcium, can build up with repeated drenching from sprinklers.

Biologics

Algae, mold and mildew are all biological agents that can affect a fence. They flourish in South Florida’s subtropical environment. Watering a fence simply adds additional moisture that biologics need to grow and multiply.

Maintenance and Money

The rotting, shifting, discoloration, and growth of biologics all combine, resulting in additional time and money in maintenance costs for property owners. It’s a situation that also disrupts the overall form, functionality and appearance of the fencing. It’s not just the fence that will require extra maintenance. Nearby flower beds can sustain damage from water runoff of the fence.

There are many early signs that a fence is being damaged, but they’re often overlooked by property owners since it happens slowly over time. It’s a good idea to inspect fences regularly for multiple types of damage. If left unaddressed, it can result in a significant amount of money to repair and sections of the fence may need to be replaced.

Mold, Mildew, Algae

All of those substances are biologics that easily begin to grow on fencing in the warm and humid South Florida climate. Vinyl fencing can also provide a surface upon which mold and algae can grow.

Rot

This is a particular problem with wooden fences. It’s not always visible as actively wet wood. It often presents as gray or white spores. Another sign of rot is a board that gives when pressed upon.

Leaning and Bending

Fence posts that are leaning or bending sideways from an upright position is a sign of a problem. Wooden fence posts may be rotting under the surface or the soil may have shifted around wood or metal posts. Posts are set and sealed in concrete, but moisture can seep into the smallest of cracks in the concrete.

Cracks

Cracks can occur in the bottom of posts, especially in fencing constructed of wood. Even when wood is treated with chemicals to mitigate the problem, wood dries out and puts pressure on the fibers that can result in cracking.

Insects

Termites are the bane of wooden fences. Property owners can detect an infestation by visible termite mazes, bloated wood or a bad odor. Boring insects of all types will leave telltale holes in the wood. Composite materials are unattractive to insects – unless the fencing material develops a crack or damage where the insects can enter. They won’t destroy modern materials, but they will make a fence a base of operations.

Rust and Corrosion

The two problems primarily affect wrought iron. However, rust and corrosion can impact the hardware used to join fencing materials of all types.