22 Vinyl Fence Ideas for Residential Homes

Welcome to our guide to finding the best vinyl fence for your home!

Vinyl was first introduced into the agricultural industry in the 1980s as a low-cost, durable alternative to wooden fences for long lasting horse fencing. While sturdy, vinyl fences are much less likely to cause injury to horses who break through the fence.

While the agricultural models are incredibly sturdy, residential vinyl fences are less so, although they should still be suitable for corralling dogs, other pets, and even children.

When compared to all the other types of fences, vinyl is best for homeowners who like the look of wooden or wrought iron fences, but don’t have the time or inclination to do regular maintenance.

Maintenance is where vinyl really excels; they need only be cleaned with soap and water, they will not fade, and no primer or sealant is required. Homeowners never have to worry about rot or termites, so for many, vinyl is the best option.

The only caveat to this is that certain types of vinyl fences can have mildew problems, particularly if they are located near sprinklers. Mildew is easy to remove, as vinyl is non-porous, but should still be removed before the vinyl stains. To prevent this problem entirely, ensure that your fence is out of range of all of your sprinklers. (Source: Do It Yourself)

We’ve gone over a few benefits of vinyl fences, but you should still weigh the pros against the cons to determine if vinyl is right for you.

Pros:

1. Easy Maintenance – as described above, maintenance is as easy as a quick wash with soap and water.
2. Simple installation – vinyl fences are usually sold in pre-built panels, so they’re simple to assemble.
3. Wide variety – vinyl fences are available in a wide variety of colors, textures, heights, and designs. It’ll be easy to find the perfect style to complement your home.
4. Environmentally friendly – vinyl fences are made from recycled materials.
5. Non-toxic – destructive animals will have a hard time taking a bite out of a vinyl fence, but if they do manage to ingest some, the material is non-toxic.
6. Durable – vinyl fences are suitable for locations with extreme weather conditions, due to their flexibility. They’re also well-suited for seaside locations, where salt exposure is inevitable.

Cons:

1. Upfront cost – vinyl fences are costly to purchase and install, but over time, the lack of money spent on maintenance will make up for the increased upfront cost.
2. Additional costs – homeowners should be prepared to pay extra to get all the features they desire. Customizability comes with a price tag.
3. Quality – cheaper vinyl fences are not nearly as durable, and may warp in high winds.