What type of fence needs the least maintenance?

This is the question we are setting out to answer in this article. If you are reading this article, then you have probably determined that they would like to look into replacing the old worn-out fence. That fence is probably an eyesore, a liability, and it costing you time and money to repair.

You’d probably like to replace your existing fence with one that requires minimal to no maintenance and is not the subject of countless emails, conversations, and phone calls. If this sounds like the right solution for you, we have two recommendations regarding materials. The first being vinyl and the second being aluminum.

Vinyl:

 There are a few variables we need to consider here, no matter what material you are considering, and those are labor, site layout and budget. You’ll also need to account for things like latches and gates. A vinyl fence will be less expensive than an aluminum fence. We consulted with our estimator at Premium Fence Company, and 100 ft of 6 ft adobe privacy fence would cost $7000 – $8000, supplied and installed by Premium Fence Company. Both aluminum and vinyl fences require next to no maintenance. So you won’t need to worry about staining and resealing with either product. Both products also last a lifetime.

As with aluminum, the only maintenance your vinyl fence will require is a cleaning a couple of times a year. If we are talking about strength, aluminum is undeniably stronger, aluminum can dent, but it cannot crack. High-quality vinyl will not crack, but lower-quality products can crack if the impact is sufficient. Even so, these components can be easily replaced.  Of course, vinyl does not come in dark colors as the pigments required would ultimately fail under UV exposure. This limits colors to light or neutral color options. Aluminum can be powder coated, a durable baked-on finish that withstands the elements and the test of time.

A vinyl fence requires little to no maintenance; you are only required to clean it at your discretion. We recommend you use a simple bleach and water solution to clean your vinyl fence. The formula is 25% bleach to 75% water. You’ll need to apply this with a high-pressure washer or a brush. Council can easily pay someone such as a caretaker to do this once or twice a year. You can also use any household cleaning product that doesn’t exclude use on vinyl. If you are using bleach, one bottle should take you through the year. That will cost about $25-$30. You’ll most likely only need to clean your vinyl fence two times a year.

The bleach would cost you a maximum of $625 – $1200 over 25 years. This leaves us with a straightforward breakdown if we consider both initial and long-term costs.

Initial Cost: $7000 – $8000

Long Term Cost: $625 – $1200

Total Cost: $7625 – $9200

Installation requirements for Vinyl Fencing:

The installation process for vinyl needs to be carried out carefully as installation will affect its durability. With vinyl fences, the emphasis is on the pre-planning so the assembly of the product goes smoothly and a sharp look is achieved. If a mistake is made in fabrication when routering – that piece is usually not redeemable and is not used in the installation. Vinyl remains a very versatile option for different terrains and is best done by a qualified contractor like Premium Fence Company.

Premium Aluminum Fencing

An aluminum fence would cost more upfront. We consulted with our estimator at Premium Fence Company again, and 100 ft of 6 ft privacy fence would cost $14,000 – 15,000, which is supplied and installed by Premium Fence Company. An aluminum fence requires little to no maintenance; you are only required to clean it at your discretion. We recommend your caretaker use car wash soap to clean your, and that will run you about $20-$300 a year. You’ll most likely only need to clean your twice a year. The only materials you’ll need to clean your are a microfiber rag and a hose.

The soap would cost you a maximum of $705 over the course of 25 years. This leaves us with a straightforward breakdown if we are considering both initial and long-term costs.

Initial Cost:  $14,500 – $15,000

Long-Term Cost: $750

Total Cost: $14,750 – $15,750

Installation requirements for Aluminum Fencing: 

Aluminum fence panels come premade; this will make installation much faster on average. Yes, there are still cases where boards need to be manipulated and/or resized to meet the requirements of a project, but most of the time, the process is seamless. Each piece is designed to work as part of the whole system. This makes an installer’s job much easier and faster. The tools for aluminum fence installation are common hand and power tools every tradesperson carries. Consider a modular fence design similar to LEGO. Our new 6’ privacy system actually comes in pcs. The picket panels are premade.

Cedar Fence Cedar Cambridge Flowthrough

Western Red Cedar boasts centuries of proven performance in the sun, rain, heat, and cold. It has a beautiful straight grain, uniform, and vibrant colours that are striking and full of character. Cedar is naturally resistant to warpage, rotting, and decay and is also insect resistant.

Initial Cost: $7500 – $8000

Long-Term Cost: $ Staining Stain every 5 years at $1800 each time.

Total Cost: $16,500 for 25 years.

Installation Requirements for Cedar Fencing

The installation process for cedar needs to be carried out carefully as installation will affect its durability. With cedar fences, the emphasis is on the design of the fence so it will last long in the BC climate. Cedar remains a very versatile option for different terrains and is best done by a qualified contractor with custom handbuilt fence designs like Premium Fence Company.

Conclusion:

These are your answers to the question, “What type of  fence needs the least maintenance?” We hope you found this post comparing the cost, maintenance, and installation requirements for vinyl, aluminum and cedar fencing helpful. We are open to any questions, comments, or concerns that you may have.

Feel free to email us at clientcare@premiumfence.ca, and a member of our support team will be happy to assist you. We pride ourselves on having the best customer service in the industry. We care about our clients and are genuinely grateful for their business. Most of our customer service team has installed fencing before so they can coach you through the process.