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Landscape Design

fiberglass fence - thoughts?

17 years ago

My 10 year old builder installed 6 foot wooden privacy fence fell down last week in a typical springtime Texas storm. We need to replace it, but my husband doesn't want to get another wooden one because of the lifelong maintenance involved. (He would rather just have a tall hedgerow of shrubs). The problem is that we live in a city on the corner of a fairly busy street that gets a lot of auto and foot traffic, and we also have 3 kids and pets, so I strongly feel that we need something solid as a barrier. It seemed like my only options, then, were wood or vinyl, but I don't care for the white or beige color of a vinyl fence.

While researching on the Web, though, I discovered that they now make fence out of fiberglass. In the pictures, it looks like wood, and it comes in various shades, including a brown wood-like stain. There is supposedly no maintenance ever, and they last for many, many years. For these reasons, it seems like my problem could be solved. But, what do you all think about a fiberglass fence? Is it cheesy and cheap looking? Does anyone have any experience with this material? I live in Texas, so the elements really take a toll on things outdoors, though the company that makes it, Fiberfence, is local, so, I would assume that they have taken this into consideration.

Any thoughts from a design perspective on this fence or what other material could meet my needs would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

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Comments (5)

rhodium
17 years ago
Vinyl siding looks like wood, but it doesn't have the same warmth radiating from it. Likewise vinyl (fiberglass?) fencing lacks the same feeling of warmth and real protection.

Another option is to use steel fence post set into concrete. Attach wood rails to the steel posts with brackets and complete the fence, as normal.
bahia
17 years ago
Fiberglass will end up looking beat up from the sun eventually, and can also crack and fade. The suggestion to rebuild your existing fence with steel fence posts and bolt them is a good one. There is also the option of vinyl fencing, and precast concrete fence panels and posts, probably the most weather and termite resistant choice.
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suzanneseely_yahoo_com
15 years ago
I don't see anyone on this blog that really knows about fiberglass fence. It absolutely does not crack, peel or do anything. It will last a lifetime and has a lifetime warranty. It is 3 times the tensile strength of steel. Vinyl is not fiberglass. Vinyl if a plastic. Fiberfence which is the only fiberglass fencing in the world is 3 times the tensile strength of steel. It is weather proof and its great looking! You just need to look at a few of the installs. I recommend contacting Fiberfence.com and ask for some addresses to look at the fence. You will see its far above anything else on the market. I purchased one 7 years ago and it looks the same and has held up through all our weather. Its just great. No worries.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.fiberfence.com
Embothrium
15 years ago
Or you could put in chain link and plant climbers (vines) on it.
annzgw
15 years ago
Thanks for the link suzanne. It's something I'll reference in the future!

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