Many are switching to vinyl fencing because it's more durable and requires less maintenance that wooden fencing. And technology has improved the characteristics of the vinyl to prevent a loss of color or discoloration that was prevalent early on.
If you're concerned about the environment, vinyl is a great, safe material and does not need some of the toxins required to treat wood fencing. Those toxins have been known to pollute the air and ground.
Be aware that not all fence manufacturers are the same. Make sure your vinyl fencing has a good wall thickness to it. A thinner vinyl fence may not last as long or may require frequent repairs and maintenance. Also, it's not possible to paint the surface of vinyl fencing, so make sure you start out with a color that will not go out of style and will work with the aesthetics of your home. But because the color of the vinyl is so deeply embedded, you won't need to paint it for the life of the product.
A final drawback is that vinyl fencing can cost more than wood. However, considering the fence material doesn't need to be painted and it is more durable than wood, it could be a better investment and might even save you money in the long run.
Make sure there is a manufacturers warranty on the vinyl fence that your fencing contractor installs. And also find out what type of labor or installation warranty the contractor has.
If you're in the market to have vinyl fencing installed, save yourself the time of searching through the yellow pages. Post your project, for free, on ConstructionDeal.com. We'll match you with local Fencing Contractors and they'll contact you. It's important to get more than one bid on the project and we let you choose how many fencing contractors will be contacting you!