In the modern era, innovative fencing materials like WPC are taking over traditional wooden fencing for the right reasons. WPC fencing is rust-resistant and requires little or no maintenance at all. Fencing protects your garden, and it also impacts the appearance of the garden. Hence, updating your old fencing with new WPC fencing can improve your garden in many ways.
This buyer’s guide will cover all the essentials about WPC fencing. It also highlights some key aspects to consider when selecting fencing material.
What is WPC fencing?
Traditional fencing is made from hard or softwoods. In comparison, WPC fencing is made from a blend of recycled plastic with waste wood powder. The wood components of WPC fencing provide a natural and authentic wooden look to the fence, while the plastic imparts incredible stability to offer a reliable and longer-lasting fencing solution.
The composition is not the only difference between traditional fencing panels and WPC fencing panels. The strength and stability of WPC panels allow them to stand in place for years and withstand harsh conditions, which ordinary wood panels can’t.
Things to consider while buying WPC fencing
1. Eco-friendly
If you are an environmentalist or eco-conscious person and want to contribute to making the environment a safer place, then WPC fencing is an excellent solution for you.
WPC is made of recycled products and does not harm human well-being in any way. Moreover, its longevity outperforms any other fencing material, which means fewer trees are needed to be cut down for replacements. Unlike other fencing materials, WPC is fully eco-friendly and recyclable.
2. Security and privacy
Security and protection of your family and property is the most important function of a fence. Besides, fencing also takes care of your privacy by becoming a barrier between you and the external environment. It forms a safe space for you to live freely without worrying about outsiders. That’s why whatever fencing you choose must be powerful enough to keep you secure for a long time. WPC fencing is the advanced type that has enough strength to stay strong between you and the outside world.
3. Finish
If you prefer your fencing to have a natural look, then WPC is the material to go with. WPC fencing is available in different textures, patterns, and finishes. It gives a natural-looking finish, plus, it offers multiple color options from stone grey to coffee and more which allows you to create your desired look. But to get a woody appearance, you must choose redwood or teak to blend in your fencing with the surrounding.
4. Low maintenance
Besides all other benefits, WPC fence boards require very little maintenance. It does not require additional maintenance, such as painting or staining. Moreover, to clean it, you only need a broom, soft brush, soap water, and warm water. Use a broom to remove debris and dust and clean your WPC fence with a soft brush and soapy water, and lastly, use warm water to keep your fence clean and to look new.
WPC fencing requires to be cleaned only once or twice a year to protect its appearance. As it is immune to cracking, splintering, and extreme weather conditions, you won’t have to worry about fixing or replacing the fence.
Benefits of installing WPC fencing
WPC fencing offers unlimited benefits. Let’s have a look at some of the major benefits of WPC fencing:
1. Longer lasting
WPC panels last significantly longer than standard wooden fence panels. They won’t let you down because this material is UV and all-weather resistant; that’s why it lasts longer than any other ordinary fence product.
2. Rot and mould resistance
The plastic component of WPC fencing makes it resistant to rot and mould. It is not affected by sunlight, moisture, and water. While wood fences do not repel splintering and cracking or mould and rot rapidly.
3. Easy installation
WPC fence panels are lightweight and easy to store, which makes their installation quick and straightforward.
4. Splinter proof
The lightweight honeycomb structure of WPC fence panels keeps them from splintering, so you can enjoy the same authentic look for years.
Disadvantages of WPC fencing
Undoubtedly, WPC fencing offers unlimited benefits, but still, it has one minor drawback, its initial price. But, the unlimited features of WPC fencing outclass this drawback.
WPC fencing can be a little more expensive than regular softwood options, and if you are not willing to pay more, softwood is your best bet. But, do remember in mind that the service life of a product plays a key role in its long-term cost-effectiveness.
Therefore, it is worth paying that little extra on the initial costs of WPC fencing if it works longer than traditional wood. Occasionally, you may find yourself replacing a wooden fence while a new WPC fence saves you from these hassles.
How to install WPC fencing?
Installing WPC fencing is straightforward and easier than wooden fences because of its lighter weight.
- Firstly, clean the installation site by removing any stones, debris, or hazardous material. To fix the fence, the post digs the holes to 25% of the post height. Keep a maximum distance of 2m between the fence posts to ensure they can support the fence panels.
- Ensure every fence post is at an equal level before using postcrete. Fence posts must have a minimum of 25% of their height concreted into place.
- When installing the first fence panel board, make sure it is 100% level before fixing it to posts. Secure the top and bottom of each WPC fence panel to the posts behind.
- When adding more panels ensure each WPC panel is 100% level before fixing and each fence panel sits on top of the previously fitted panel.
- Once you get the desired fence height (no more than 2.25m or ten boards), place the cap on top of the post. These tops are available in various different colors to match your fence.
- There is another method to install the WPC fencing that is by slotting panels into the fence posts. Cut up to four channels per post using the grooves as a guide. Then simply slide the fence panel into the grooves.
- The fence panels need to be cut into 2-meter lengths when using this method. The fence posts must be no further apart than 2 meters.
- That’s all; there is no need to paint or finish the WPC fencing. Now you can sit back and simply admire your new fencing.
Types of WPC fencing
When it comes to installing WPC fencing, there are two main types; WPC fencing panels and WPC fence kits, which are full kits that slot together.
WPC fence panels
WPC fence panels are available in 1 ft tall sections, which slide into the gap between the fence posts. So, you can just purchase as many panels as you need to get the desired height. WPC fence panels are excellent if you want to update already installed traditional panels; they are slightly more expensive but are much easier to install and last a long time.
WPC fence kits
WPC fence kits are expensive, but they are a better option. A small number are available, which generally come with steel or aluminum posts and slots in panels designed especially for the posts. WPC fencing kits come as modules that can be replaced easily, so if you want to add decorative panels or part panels.
Because of high popularity, they are expensive, and this is its only drawback which is somewhat mitigated by easier installation.
Final words
WPC fencing is a reliable solution for privacy and protection. It is easy to install, effortless to maintain and offers many other useful features.
