One of the more common questions we receive here at Central Fence is “how long will my vinyl fence last me?” Well, there’s a simple answer and a complex answer to this question. The simple answer is, “20 to 30 years” and the complex answer is “it depends on the daily conditions of the area the fence is built in.” In this post, we’ll be exploring the life-cycle of a typical vinyl fence and attempting to reconcile the simple answer to this question with the complex one.
It depends on how often you clean it
Cleaning your vinyl fence isn’t as difficult as it might seem and the process is essential for keeping the years on your fence. A properly cleaned vinyl fence can last anywhere from five to seven years longer than one that is left to collect dirt and grim. Regularly cleaning your fence can also alert you to possible maintenance issues before they become serious problems.
When cleaning a vinyl fence, look for areas of significant wear-and-tear and consider taking extra care to mend those spots as quickly as possible.
It depends on the area of construction
Understandably, if you plant down a vinyl fence in an area full of weak trees, you’re going to be shaving off years from its life. Environments can make all the difference concerning fence life-spans, so consider your spot carefully and plan for the best possible spot to fence in.
Here are some examples of places to avoid putting a fence:
Swampy areas – Fences do better on solid ground.
Uneven landscapes – While possible to put a fence down, the conditions will reduce the lifespan of your fence.
Heavily forested areas – Weak trees are your fence’s #1 enemy.
It depends on the quality of the installation
We always recommend professional installation for this very reason. If your fence is installed poorly, it’ll have a much shorter lifespan than normal. Overlooked nuances of installation are often the culprit that costs the fence its precious years in this situation. Proper experience in fencing installation eliminates the risk of a missing component or mistake in construction that can so often lead to structural failure in the future.
Of course, we can’t give you an absolute lifespan on your fence – we can only provide an approximate one. However, we can guarantee that if you properly maintain your fence and invest in a professional fence installation, you will increase the longevity of your fence for sure.
