Choosing the Right Fence for Winter
Here in the Midwest, seasons are, in a word, unpredictable. The most erratic is winter, which just so happens to be creeping up on us. The day you’d hoped would be calm and dry could consist of you shoveling 6 inches of snow in 12 mph winds. With so many other things on your mind, the last thing you want to worry about is whether or not your fence will survive the season. Regardless of whether this is your first fence, your first time in North Dakota, the first time you switched houses, or your first time replacing an existing fence, PVC deserves some consideration. Properly installed, these fences can withstand many of the harsh effects of winter while retaining their aesthetic appeal.
What makes vinyl winter-proof?
Well, let’s consider wood fencing. Over time, with constant exposure to the element, wood absorbs fluids: moisture, rain, dew, sprinkler water, etc. The dip in temperature will later expand the fluids into ice, causing splits and cracks in your panels’ shape. Preventing this requires staining (best applied by an experienced contractor) which in turn costs money and will have to be redone every few years (which costs more money).
With vinyl, however, those issues are nonexistent. Here at American Security and Gate Company, we work with credible manufacturers, like Ply Gem, to gain our wide inventory. Our vinyl fences are built to withstand temperature-related physical damage. Even though vinyl tends to become more flexible when the temperature falls below zero, it requires an exceptional degree of physical force to actually break.
American Fence Company uses state-of-the-art equipment to transform PVC stock into high-quality fence parts. Check out the above video for a demonstration of how we carve slots into fence panels.
High-quality vinyl to protect against the sun
When it comes to low-quality vinyl, snow’s ability to reflect up to 90% of UV radiation can lead to fence discoloration. That’s why American Security and Gate Company uses modern premium vinyl, which contains an element known as titanium dioxide (TIO2), a chemical sunscreen that is extremely resistant to fades, discoloration, and yellowing. Over time, your fence should merely experience a slight reduction in its natural sheen.
Quick and easy cleanup
Snow is nice when it first falls, but shortly after, that beautiful snow turns to ugly brown slush. When ice and snow melt, all of the dirt – not to mention the extra stuff mixed in – starts running toward the ground, leaving unappealing residue on your panels. Most of the time, water mixed with mild soap works for removing debris. For the sake of your fence’s longevity, clean off the snow in the winter. Use a soft broom to dust the snow off the panels and shovel snow out from around your fence posts. If snowbanks become too much, they can push against the posts, damaging or messing up the adjustments. When using a snowblower, turn the chute so that snow’s blown away from your fence.
Damaged Vinyl
Of course, the possibility of fence damage in winter is always there. No matter what type of fence you have, blizzards generate winds of such force and periodically it’s strong enough to bend and break posts and shatter rails. Whether you need repairs or total replacement of demolished panels, look no further than American Security and Gate Company. We require thorough education of our installation team, teaching them not only fence construction but also fence repair and maintenance, making us the leading contractor in the Midwest. Naturally, our staff’s well-versed in installing vinyl fences of all styles: privacy, semi-privacy, picket, and more.
Winters tend to be inconsistent. You are never sure when you’ll enjoy a calm winter day or be victim to a crazy blizzard. Consider installing an attractive vinyl fence and select a reputable fence contractor to handle everything from installation to repairs and maintenance.