Replies

1. 
   JDRHI | Apr 30, 2003 03:29pm | #1

   My own opinions aside, I wanted to give you a heads up. This has the potential of getting uglier than any vinyl siding thread in the past. Good luck and keep your head low!

   J. D. Reynolds

   Home Improvements

   "DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"

2. 
   rjw | Apr 30, 2003 03:39pm | #2

   The little I've seen of it it is pretty flimsy; don't expect it to have much resistence to any pushes or bumps.

   _______________________

   10 .... I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful.

   11 For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have--Jesus Christ.

   1 Corinthians 3:10-11

1. 
   GregGibson | Apr 30, 2003 04:15pm | #3

   What I've seen locally looks, well, alright.  I'm pretty sure the posts can actually be used as sleeves to slip over a PT 4 x 4.  Be very careful of your spacing, and keep it on the tight side.  I've seen the three-plank style fences around here where the posts pull apart a little after a couple of years and the planks all fall out.

   Mildew seems to be a problem here in the humid south.  I think it'll take a good wash down with bleach once or twice a year.

   Good luck.  Greg.

3. 
   GUNN308 | Apr 30, 2003 06:04pm | #4

   I questioned it till I saw it used in Busch gardens for the clydesdales, have done 3 jobs since, 4x4 pt posts in the ground and 6x6 vinyl over install rails in cold leave room for expansion in hot make em tight.

4. 
   CesarNicolau | Apr 30, 2003 06:14pm | #5

   Forever is a mighty long time...

   A properly installed and maintained wood fence can last 20 or more years and will age gracefully and develop a natural patina. Vinyl manufacturing is highly polluting and as styles change you may find that your plastic fence may end up in the landfill way before forever ever arrives...

   Wealth is

   not created, it's

   consolidated.

5. 
   Planeman | Apr 30, 2003 06:42pm | #6

   I built a large decorative gate, 10' wide and 6' high with the vinyl fence materal 5 years ago and it looks as good today as the day I built it. I mounted it on a framework used for chain link fencing. It is flimsier than wood, but I used some exterior plywood cut to slip inside the rails at the joints for the fasteners to bite into, sealed the ends and I very happy with it. I think the materal has improved greatly over the past few years in durability and strength. If you intend your fence to be anything more than decorative, check it out carefully. I am very happy after 5 years, I just hose it off and it looks great. Good luck

   Experienced, but still dangerous!
6. 
   frontiercc | Apr 30, 2003 08:41pm | #7

   I'm no contractor, but I do some occasional landscaping and lawn service in addition to my regular gig.  I will point out that one of the lawns I mow has a vinyl fence around the pool.  Picket style.  If I get too close with the trimmer and touch the bottom of one of the pickets, the trimmer tears them up bad.  little pieces and chips of vinyl fly.  Wouldn't really be a problem with 3-rail, except around the posts.  String trimmers will destroy the vinyl.    This fence in question is a lowe's special, I don't know if the higher quality (and more $$) vinyl is any better or not.  But It sure doesn't seem very durable to me. 

   I understand trimmers are hard on wood too.  but wood doesn't splinter and go flying everywhere in my experience.  The vinyl just seems so brittle. 

7. 
   CAGIV | Apr 30, 2003 08:46pm | #8

   2 years ago, I ripped one out for a friends parents, it up for 4 years, it was yellowed and some of it was warped from constant sun.  I don't know what the exact manufactuer was so maybe "newer" ones are different or have taken care of these problems.

   guess there's always next year right?

1. 
   JackLindsey | May 01, 2003 09:47am | #9

   Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts. You have provided some good information.

   Jack