I want to build a privacy fence in the back yard ~ 90×30 feet. Wood takes a lot of maintenance. And from what I can tell vinyl tends to get brittle and falls apart. So I’m thinking that composite deck boards may be the way to go for a fence you don’t have to mess with every year.
Have any of you looked into or used composite deck boards for fencing?
That’s gonna be a mighty heavy fence!!
There are composite fences available and made out of thinner materials
Like this…
A higher quality stain, sherwin williams, may make for less maintenance.
I wouldn’t use deckboards, but no reason you couldn’t use composite trim boards, just have to pay for it.
I can’t believe what my front porch cost when I redid it with composite. If you can afford it, go for it.
I want to build a privacy fence in the back yard ~ 90×30 feet. Wood takes a lot of maintenance. And from what I can tell vinyl tends to get brittle and falls apart. So I’m thinking that composite deck boards may be the way to go for a fence you don’t have to mess with every year.
Have any of you looked into or used composite deck boards for fencing?
You will answer your own question after you find out the costs by using the composite.
Then don’t forget to engineer the added support strength that will be needed with the added weight.
Ya know but as they say, if you can afford it then go for it!
THere are other vinyl products that can be had that have aluminum reinforcing inside them that may be a better solution.
We used it for a rail/fence around our patio.
“After two years, the composite started to crack and sag”
The bases cracked and the 2×4’s sagged in a very short time. Last summer it all went into the dumpster and now have metal.
Unless they’ve improved form 12 years ago, I would stay away from composite.
Don’t do it.
Composite decking needs the closely spaced joists of a deck for 2 reasons, to prevent sagging and to limit warping due to thermal expansion. If you put it on a fence with only 2 cross members between panels you’ll have a mess.
Also the weight will be absolutely massive and I’d be worried that in a wind your posts will snap like twigs.
Read the manufacturers guide for each product. They have very specific application and construction techniques and I think most will specifically say don’t use it in this manner.
Grouse
I have also been looking for something that will be less maintenance for a fence. I don’t think composite would be a good fit. I have been playing with the idea of trimming out pull barn siding. But I need to do some more research.
I put a plastic/vinyl fence up 10 years ago in the back yard to keep the 2 dogs corralled. Have had no problems yet. The other thing is it looks the same on both sides so the neighbors didn’t mind looking at it.The only thing I have had to do is pressure wash it twice. I have about 210 feet total.
Wow, thanks for all the feedback. I had no idea composites had that many problems. Ya gotta luv these innerwebs 
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