Vinyl fencing is designed with flexibility in mind, adhering to the principle of "bend without breaking." This flexibility is essential for the fence to withstand high winds with minimal permanent damage. Proper installation is crucial to maintain this characteristic. If posts are installed too closely together, the panels fit too tightly, making the fence rigid and more susceptible to damage from high winds or errant objects.
A distinctive feature of vinyl fencing is its ability to pop apart under extreme stress, much like Legos, rather than cracking, breaking, or splitting like wood fences. This design allows for easy reassembly using existing, undamaged materials in most cases. To avoid issues, it is important to space the posts the full width of a panel apart, and avoid cutting panels to smaller sizes whenever possible.
Additionally, vinyl fencing, like wood, expands and contracts. Vinyl expands in hot weather, whereas wood swells when exposed to moisture. If panels are fitted too tightly between posts, there will be no room for this expansion, leading to warping or buckling. Ensuring each panel has a few millimeters of wiggle room during installation can prevent such problems.
Outdoor PVC/vinyl products are engineered to have some "give," which adds strength, resilience, and prevents brittleness. The fence should exhibit movement & deflection in the wind to maintain its durability and functionality.
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