If you’re installing home fencing in a hurricane-prone area, it’s important to consider durability, strength, and wind resistance. Wood is a traditional choice with rustic appeal. Vinyl offers a sleek, modern look in a low-maintenance package. For pure strength, aluminum is best, though this fence doesn’t offer the utmost in privacy. Here are the details you’ll need to make an educated choice between these options for an area that’s exposed to hurricanes.
Wood Fencing
Wood fencing is a popular choice for a traditional look. It offers ample versatility when you’re constructing the fence yourself, and you can stain or paint the wood to coordinate with your home’s overall style. However, wood fences aren’t the most durable option, so there are some special considerations for homeowners in a hurricane-prone area.
Benefits
Wood fencing gives your home a natural, rustic look, which may complement your home’s overall style and ambience. Wood is fairly easy to repair, which means that you can put things back together as needed if it suffers from hurricane damage. Properly treated, wood fencing can be water-resistant. If you pair your wood slats with steel posts and add metal brackets, you get the best of all worlds. The steel and metal give you added stability while the wood provides a warm, welcoming look.
Weaknesses
Wood fencing requires a lot of care and maintenance. If you want to keep this installation hurricane-ready, you’ll need to clean, sand, and seal it often. Water-repellent coating is essential to protect otherwise vulnerable wood planks from the hazards of water exposure. Wood can sometimes be susceptible to pests or rot.
High winds and flying debris can damage wood fencing significantly, depending on the severity of the storm conditions. If the fencing gets damaged, you’ll need to invest in replacement planks.
What To Look For
Wood isn’t the strongest option for hurricane-prone areas. If you choose wood, you should definitely reinforce it with metal hardware and stable steel posts. You may also want to look for composite fencing. This is made from a blend of wood and plastic, which enhances durability and strength. Composite fencing is also more resistant to moisture, UV rays, and insects.
Vinyl Fencing
Vinyl fencing is a modern pick that resists bugs and moisture well, though it can succumb to wind if it’s not properly installed. Put in the time to install your fence properly upfront, and vinyl can serve you well into the future.
Benefits
Vinyl fencing, constructed from PVC, is an affordable choice that’s great for homeowners on a budget. It’s also a low-maintenance pick, which makes it affordable over the long run. A quick rinse is adequate to keep a vinyl fence clean and attractive. Vinyl is resistant to insect damage, moisture, and mildew. It doesn’t suffer from exposure to humidity and water, which makes vinyl popular in coastal areas.
Weaknesses
Vinyl fencing is a fairly weak option when it comes to withstanding wind and debris. It may get knocked over in hurricane weather, which means that it won’t provide any added protection for your home. Though it doesn’t rot or corrode, it gets brittle over time. High temperatures are especially problematic for vinyl. If you install vinyl fencing in a hot, sunny climate, it’s likely to crack over time.
What To Look For
Vinyl fencing is a versatile option that’s available in many different colors and styles. You can opt for a charming picket fence, a tall privacy fence, or many choices in between. You can’t repaint or refinish a vinyl fence the way you can wood, so choose carefully to coordinate with your landscaping and home. Have your vinyl fencing professionally installed with strong support posts to give it the best chance of withstanding hurricane weather.
Aluminum Fencing
Aluminum fencing can keep your property secure, though it’s not ideal for privacy. If you’re looking for a strong and durable option for a wet climate with hurricane threats, aluminum is one of the best options on the market. It can readily withstand strong winds and stands up to moisture with the right care. If your home works with the distinct appearance of an aluminum fence, this is a strong contender.
Benefits
Aluminum is extremely strong, making it an ideal choice for home and property protection in high winds. Aluminum fences can stand up to winds of up to 115 miles an hour, though the fence may succumb to prolonged winds. It’s water-resistant, so it doesn’t rot, warp, or corrode. Aluminum is lightweight and easily customizable, so you can install it quickly and efficiently across many different property types.
Weaknesses
Aluminum fencing requires some maintenance. Regular anti-corrosion treatments are important for this fencing to maintain its water-resistance. You should also lubricate moving parts regularly so they won’t rust. Aluminum fencing is not the best option for privacy. Unless you install additional slats behind the fence, you will typically be able to see through the fence.
What To Look For
When you’re installing aluminum fencing, you should use strong support posts and wind-resistant hardware. These details will help aluminum fences live up to their full potential. Look for a product that’s already been treated with an anti-corrosion coating, so you don’t have to apply this immediately after your initial installation.
How To Choose the Right Fence for Your Hurricane-Zone Home
Wood, vinyl, and aluminum are all functional options for a hurricane-zone home as long as you install and maintain them properly. No fence is completely impervious to hurricane-force winds, but all can stand up to some level of hurricane weather. When you’re making your final choice, consider your budget, the look of your home and landscaping, and how much time and attention you can dedicate to fence care. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to which fence you should choose for your home, but there is an option suitable for every dwelling.
