What Are The Pros And Cons Of Composite Fencing? - Ecoscape

When you’re planning to install a fence in your garden there are plenty of options to choose from in terms of the material you use. There are traditional materials such as timber and iron, or more modern ones like composite and vinyl.

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Although all of these materials have upsides and downsides, composite fencing has great advantages over all of them.

In this article, we’re going to explore the many benefits of composite fencing as well as some of its downsides to get you up to speed on this amazing product.

What Is Composite Fencing Made Of?

Composite fencing is made from a combination of recycled plastic and reclaimed wood fibres. The composite material in our synthetic wood panels is 95% recycled and the wood that we use is FSC-certified.

Composite materials are created through a process called co-extrusion. During this process, the composite material is melted down and then passed through a die to mould it into the shape of our modular composite fence panels.

The unique composition of composite fencing materials has so many advantages over other fencing materials such as vinyl fencing and wood fencing. This is why composite fencing has become so popular in recent years.

The Pros Of Composite Fencing

There are many reasons to install a composite fence in your garden. Some of them are fairly obvious but there are a few benefits to composite fencing that may surprise you. So, let’s take a look at the pros of composite fences.

Longevity & durability

Due to the plastic component in composite fencing materials, composite fence panels are very water-resistant. Unlike standard wooden fence panels, water can’t penetrate the core of composite fencing panels. This means that rot is unable to form.

As they’re rot-resistant, composite fence panels don’t need to be repaired and last much longer than wood fence panels. On average, composite fencing will last for between 25 to 30 years.

All of the composite fence panels in our range come with a 20-year warranty to give you peace of mind that your composite fencing will be around for a very long time.

The fact that composite fencing doesn’t need to be repaired and won’t need to be replaced for a long time will save you money in the long term. This makes it a more cost-effective option than a traditional wood fence.

Low-maintenance

Composite fences are also incredibly low-maintenance and require very little care over the course of their service lives. If you have another fencing material such as wood you will have to spend a lot of time sealing, treating, staining, and painting it.

This is not only time-consuming but also costs quite a lot of money as the products used to do this are fairly expensive.

Composite fencing doesn’t require any of these things and only needs to be cleaned occasionally to keep it looking its best.

The plastic content in composite fencing materials also means that it’s inedible to insects which makes it naturally insect-repellant. This means that you don’t need to use any chemicals to protect it from insects.

Once your composite fence has been installed you don’t need to worry about caring for it. The quality of the material means it will essentially look after itself.

Easy installation

Installing composite fences is very easy and doesn’t take much time. Due to the honeycomb structure of the panels, they’re really light which means they’re easy to carry around and install.

Unlike wood fence panels, our composite fencing panels come in small modules that simplify and speed up the installation process.

This means that they can simply slot in between existing concrete fence posts at your property. Or, you can install some of our composite fence posts and have a full composite fencing system.

Installing wooden or vinyl fences is a big job that often requires the help of several people to complete. This is largely due to the fact that the panels come as one unit and are hard to manoeuvre.

If you’re looking for fencing panels that are quick and easy to install then composite fencing is definitely the best choice for you.

Environmentally-friendly

When compared to other fencing materials, composite fencing is very environmentally-friendly. The fact that it’s made with reclaimed wood and recycled plastic means that no new trees are felled to create it, and less plastic ends up in landfills.

There are also no toxins released into the environment during its production. This is not the case for other synthetic materials such as vinyl fences.

When vinyl fences are produced there are many harmful toxins released which contribute to land, air and water pollution.

Unlike real wood, composite fencing doesn’t need to be replaced often which makes it a more sustainable option.

As it requires very little maintenance, you don’t need to use sealants, stainers, or paints. These products are often harmful to the environment and can leak into the water table.

In the current climate, we all think more and more about the products we use and how they impact the environment. Choosing composite fencing from Ecoscape is one way that you can reduce your carbon footprint and help contribute toward a more sustainable future.

Aesthetics

One of the main reasons that some people still prefer to use wood as a fencing material is that they like its traditional appearance. As composite fencing is a synthetic material it’s often assumed that it doesn’t look as good as wooden fencing.

However, contemporary composite fencing sports a natural wood finish and composite fences are often indistinguishable from wooden ones.

Composite fencing is also very versatile and there are many different colours and styles available. Our range of composite fencing boards comes in 5 different colours including silver birch, spiced oak, and walnut.

This means it’s easy to find a colour that will suit your home. As we’ve already discussed, there’s no need to paint composite fencing materials as the colour of the boards or panels will be added during the manufacturing process.

The Cons Of Composite Fencing

As with any other fencing material, there are also some slight downsides to using composite fencing. It’s important for you to know as much as possible about a material before you decide to use it in your garden.

However, the cons of composite fencing are far outweighed by its many positives. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the downsides of composite fencing.

Cost

Composite fencing is still more expensive than other popular types of fencing materials such as wood. Generally, wood still tends to be the cheapest of all materials in terms of upfront costs.

However, although the initial price may be higher, composite fencing is less expensive over the course of its service life than wood. This is mostly due to the fact that it requires very little maintenance which reduces its overall costs.

The amazing longevity of composite fencing also means that it will cost you less in repairs and replacements during its lifespan.

Our range of composite fencing boards starts at £15.31 per board making it a very affordable option for most budgets.

Fading over time

Although composite fencing is resistant to UV light and fading the darker coloured boards can still be prone to fading over time. How much the boards fade depends largely on the quality of the product, and it shouldn’t be much of an issue with our boards.

If your composite fencing boards do fade significantly over time then they may need to be replaced. This is because composite materials are non-porous and so adjusting the colour with paint is quite difficult.

If you’re very concerned about fading then it may be best to choose composite fencing in a light colour. This will make it less likely to fade over time, and if it does fade the results will be less noticeable.

Variable durability

Depending on the supplier and manufacturer that you use the longevity and durability of your composite fencing may vary. Suppliers and manufacturers who create poor-quality products should be avoided as it’s likely that their products won’t last as long as they should.

Our composite fence boards come with a 20-year warranty which should assure you of the quality of our products. They’re manufactured to be as durable and long-lasting as possible, and we’re confident that they’ll be with you for a very long time.

Expansion and contraction

Composite fencing is less susceptible to changing shape and size during temperature fluctuations than other materials. However, it will still contract and expand during changes in the weather.

In higher temperatures, it will undergo the process of thermal expansion and in lower temperatures, it will experience shrinkage. Unlike wooden fencing, these changes should not cause the boards to warp or crack.

As long as the boards have been installed in the correct way then contractions and expansions shouldn’t cause any issues for your fence.

FAQs

Is composite the best material for fencing?

There are many different types of materials that can be used for fencing which all have certain pros and cons. Apart from composite, the other most popular materials are vinyl, wrought iron, and wood.

Vinyl fences are similar to composite fences in that they require little maintenance but they are much less environmentally friendly. Iron fences have good longevity but require quite a lot of maintenance and aren’t very aesthetically pleasing.

Overall, when compared with other materials, composite is the best one to use for fencing.

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Is composite fencing resistant to wind?

Composite is a very strong and durable material, and composite fence boards can withstand windy conditions. They’re sturdy but also have some flexibility to allow them to bend slightly in high winds without breaking.

Being weather resistant is one of the ways in which composite fencing is so long-lasting, and it is much less susceptible to being damaged by high winds than wooden fencing.

Is composite fencing the longest-lasting material?

Although composite is very long-lasting and a composite fence will usually last between 25 and 30 years, aluminium fencing tends to last longer. If an aluminium fence is properly maintained it can last for over 50 years.

However, as it’s a metal it is prone to rust and an aluminium fence will require far more maintenance than a composite one. This will increase the costs over the course of its lifespan and may reduce its longevity if it’s not properly maintained.

Can I drill into my composite fencing boards?

It’s fine to drill into composite boards if you’d like to use nails or screws to attach something to them, it can somehow interfere with the structural integrity if it’s not done correctly. It’s always best to pre-drill the holes before you attach the nails or screws as this will reduce the risk of the boards cracking or splitting.

Explore Ecoscape’s Amazing Range Of Composite Fencing Today

Now that you’ve seen all of the incredible benefits of composite fencing it’s time to browse our range and choose the right boards for you. Our fencing boards come in a wide range of colours and are really easy to install.

They’re scratch-resistant, fade-resistant, water-resistant, and highly durable. They’re also very affordable and won’t need to be replaced for a long time. So, there’s nothing stopping you from revitalising your own garden with composite fencing today.

If you’ve been weighing up the options of which material to use for a new fence then you’ve probably noticed that composite fencing appears to be more expensive than other materials.

One of the main reasons for this is that the manufacturing process is more labour intensive than it is for other materials like wooden fencing.

However, the upfront costs don’t tell the whole story.

So, is composite fencing actually worth the costs?

In this guide, we’ll take a look at the average costs of a composite fence and examine the many reasons why it is definitely worth it.

How Much Does Composite Fencing Cost?

Cost of materials

The costs of composite fencing depend on the supplier and manufacturer that you use. However, on average a composite fence panel will cost you around £120. This is the price for a standard panel that would be 6 ft tall, 6 ft wide, and 21 mm thick.

The cost will be higher if you also buy any additions to the composite fence panels such as finishing profiles, post bases, and post caps. A composite fence post usually costs around £35 and a post base is usually around £13.

For a composite fencing finishing profile, you would expect to pay around £12, and a post cap should be around £35. In general, composite fence panels with convex or concave tops are more expensive than panels without them.

Our composite fencing boards cost just £15.31 per panel which makes them one of the most affordable options on the market.

Cost of installation

If you hire a contractor to install composite fencing at your property then you’ll also need to factor this into the overall upfront costs. Composite fences usually cost around £28 per metre to install which will also include concreting the post bases.

The installation costs will be higher if the contractor needs to carry out any significant groundwork such as removing existing tarmac or concrete, or any existing timber fencing.

For smaller jobs where the contractor will only be installing a small number of composite panels, the labour costs may have a minimum day rate. For instance, the price may be increased to around £130 per metre.

The costs to install composite fencing will be much lower if you have existing concrete posts that the composite panels can be slotted between. If you don’t have any existing fence posts then installing new ones will lead to extra costs.

Before installing a composite fence you should contact the contracting company and ask for a quote so that you have an idea of the costs before you begin.

Factors affecting the cost

There are a number of variables that could make your composite fencing more expensive.

• The height of your fence – if your composite fence needs to be taller than a normal garden fence then the cost of the materials and installation will be increased.
• The number of panels – your composite fencing costs will increase or decrease depending on the number of composite fence panels you require.
• Composite fence location – if the intended location of your composite fence is hard to access then the installation process will take longer and the costs will increase.
• Wooden fence removal – if you have a wooden fence that needs to be removed by the composite fence installers then this will increase the overall installation costs.
• Composite fence accessories – if you want to add things to your composite fencing such as garden gates then you will need to factor this into the overall costs.

Why Is Composite Fencing Worth The Upfront Costs?

Low-maintenance

One of the main benefits of composite fencing which makes it well worth the upfront costs is its lack of maintenance needs. Unlike traditional wooden fencing, composite fences don’t need to be treated, sealed, stained, or painted.

The plastic content in composite fence panels makes them very water-resistant which means they’re naturally resistant to rot and mould. This eliminates the need for any added protection.

This means that you will save money over the course of your fence’s lifespan and also won’t need to worry about the hassle of regular maintenance.

Longevity and durability

Composite fencing is very resistant to fading and scratching. It’s also unlikely to be damaged during strong winds and other extreme weather conditions.

This means that composite fences last much longer than wood fences, and are also less likely to need repairs over the course of their service life.

A timber fence may need to be replaced after around 10 years but a composite fence shouldn’t have to be replaced for between 25 to 30 years. This will save you money in the long term as you won’t need to pay for repairs or replacements.

All of our composite fencing boards come with a 20-year guarantee so you can be confident that your new fence will be around for many years to come.

Eco-friendliness

Composite fencing boards and panels are made with recycled materials. This is a mixture of reclaimed wood and recycled plastics.

Due to this, composite fencing is much more eco-friendly than wooden fencing as no trees need to be cut down to make it. It also means that less plastic ends up in landfills.

Wood fencing is also less eco-friendly because it must be maintained using treatments, stains, and paints. These often contain toxins and are harmful to the environment.

None of these chemicals is required for the maintenance of composite fencing which makes it a far more environmentally friendly choice.

Aesthetics

A composite fence can also be very aesthetically pleasing and can revitalise your outdoor space. Whereas a wood fence will likely fade, rot, and crack over time, a composite fence will retain its appearance for the whole of its lifespan.

Our range of composite fencing boards comes in five contemporary colours, including graphite, walnut, and spiced oak. You can choose from darker or lighter colours to find something that will perfectly complement your home and garden.

Easy installation

A composite fence is much easier to install than a wood fence and is something that you should be able to do yourself. Unlike wooden fencing panels, composite panels are very light and are easy to manoeuvre.

Our composite boards come in small modules that simply need to be stacked on top of each other to reach the desired height of your new fence. This eliminates the need to pay for a professional contractor to install the fence for you.

If you buy wooden fencing you’ll most likely have to hire professional fence installers or enlist outside help to install it.

FAQs

Is composite fencing better than vinyl fencing?

In some ways, vinyl fencing is similar to composite fencing. It also requires very little maintenance and is long-lasting. However, it doesn’t tend to be as aesthetically pleasing and is far less eco-friendly than composite fencing.

For these reasons, a composite fence is usually a better choice than a vinyl fence.

Which type of fencing is the cheapest to have installed?

On average, UPVC fencing has the lowest installation costs in the UK. This is partly because they can be installed using UPVC posts which are easy to install and this decreases the labour costs.

However, composite fencing is easy to install yourself and so you may not have to pay any costs of installation if you choose a composite fence instead of a UPVC one.

Will a composite fence add value to my property?

Installing a composite fence will add value to your property. Its pleasing aesthetics will increase the curb appeal of your home and make it a more attractive prospect to potential buyers.

It will also give buyers confidence as they will be aware that composite fences will save them money in the long term, and won’t need to be replaced for a very long time.

Do fence posts need to be set in concrete?

Fence posts don’t need to be set in concrete but doing so will create a strong foundation for your fence. If you’re using wood fence posts then setting them in concrete will actually cause them to rot more quickly. If you’re using composite fence posts then this won’t be an issue.

Browse Ecoscape’s Range Of Composite Fencing Boards Today

If you’re ready to install your new composite fence then explore our exciting range of composite fencing boards today. They’re resistant to scratching, staining, fading and much more.

They’re also easy to install yourself and are an affordable option for any budget. The versatility of the colours in our range means that you’re certain to find a look that’s right for you.

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