Which Should You Choose: A Wood or Composite Fence?

Wood fences have been around for hundreds of years and come in a variety of forms and colors when painted or stained. Because of their resilience to decay and insects, materials like cedar and redwood.

Other types of wood, however, are also used. Pressure-treated wood fences are frequently painted or stained to extend their life. Non-pressure-treated boards and fences should be treated with a preservative before being finished.

Composite or wood fences

While both composite and wood fences serve the same purpose, they are different in key respects. Wood fences had few rivals until recently, but composites are increasingly providing an enticing option. komposit staket boards are made up of a variety of elements that are fused together during the production process to create a material that is stronger than its individual components. These materials can then be pultruded with resins to make the final product. They provide an environmentally beneficial alternative to traditional fence.

Wood is less expensive to install than composite or vinyl, but it requires frequent care. A wood fence will need to be pressure cleaned once or twice a year. It should also be repainted or stained every two or three years. Meanwhile, cedar and redwood fences may be allowed to naturally weather. A transparent preservative should be applied every few years. Because of the greater upkeep required, the cost of wood fencing may eventually exceed the cost of other fence types.

Vinyl is another alternative that can be cleaned and lasts a long time. Vinyl staket, on the other hand, employ wood posts, which are prone to rot, cracking, and deterioration. Then there’s the chain-link fence, which doesn’t offer much in the way of seclusion.

When deciding between a composite vs. wood or vinyl fence, consider the variations in cost, upkeep, durability, and look. So, before you put up a fence on your property, consider the advantages and disadvantages of each material.

Things to think about before choosing a fence

However, before you buy supplies, check with your local building rules to see whether you need a permit to install a fence in your city, town, or township. Check with your Homeowners Association (HOA) to see if there are any limits on the sort of fence materials you may use if you live in a housing development or subdivision. For example, certain HOA Covenants, Conditions, and Limits (CC & Rs) may prohibit vinyl fences, and height restrictions may apply to your privacy fencing.

You’ll be able to decide which materials are ideal for your needs once you’ve obtained all of the necessary paperwork and (if appropriate) permissions. Composites are becoming more popular among developers, building/project managers, and property owners for residential developments. Pultrusion is a manufacturing technology that produces high-strength, long-lasting profiles that will outlive wood for many years.

Increasing Demand

More builders, engineers, and house builders are discovering the benefits of pultrusion and finding methods to include composites in residential building developments, according to a research by the European Pultrusion Technology Association (EPTA).

Pultruded items are increasingly being utilized in window and door systems, external trim, decking, pergolas, columns, and fencing, according to the research. All of these items can resist the hardship of being exposed to harsh weather conditions and animal damage. Exposure to the sun and elements such as wind, heavy rain, snow, dust, filth, and insects can cause wood fence to rot, distort, and be destroyed over time.

Advantages of Composite Fences

Composite fences are available in a variety of styles. Some fences contain solid planks rather than hollow ones. These are sometimes “capped” or “co-extruded” with a coating of PVC. Although many different components are typically necessary, construction is sometimes comparable to that of a wood fence. They all have recycled fibers, polymers, and binding agents as a common denominator.

Composite fence resembles wood more than vinyl fencing. It does not, however, require the same level of upkeep and gentle loving care as wood. Composites can be made in natural wood tones, but they’re also available in stained or painted wood colors for added curb appeal.

Composite fences, like vinyl, do not require staining or painting and are low maintenance, requiring just a garden hose and light soap for cleaning. Traditional fasteners are used to build composite fences, and no special brackets are required.

Composition of composite fence

Composite fence is environmentally friendly. Composite materials may be recycled up to 95 percent of the time, and some producers employ a practically waste-free manufacturing approach. Toxic additives are not used in composite materials. Pressure-treated wood, on the other hand, is commonly used for vertical fence posts and horizontal fence rails, which are frequently loaded with chemicals to make them insect-resistant. Pultruded profiles may be recycled at the end of their life cycle, which saves on chemicals.

The destruction of entire ecosystems used to produce wood products is a serious concern with climate change. Deforestation can be reduced by using pultruded goods. Planting new trees will not be enough to heal the damage that has been done to animals and natural environments. As a result, continuing to create things with wood is not financially viable.

Composites are the ideal long-term investment. While wood is initially less expensive to install, it has a shorter lifespan. Maintenance, repair, and replacement costs may pile up and may build up over time.

The following is a list of the benefits:

• Sustainable
• Low maintenance
• Weather-resistant
• Pest-resistant
• High tensile strength
• Easy to install

One disadvantage is that composite fences are more expensive than comparable wood solutions. Maintain in mind that wood fences require a lot more upkeep and additional charges like wood treatments, cleaning chemicals, and sealers to keep them in excellent working order.

Conclusion 

When evaluating the entire cost of ownership, the composite option may be more cost effective. Many traditional wood items used in residential and commercial premises may be replaced with composite fences. This opens the door for pultruded profiles in an era of ever-increasing material prices.