Choosing the right material for your fence or border isn’t easy. Wooden fences look great, but if left untreated they don’t last. Brick walls aren’t cheap and hedges require patience, a considerable amount of maintenance and cooperation from neighbours.
But there is an alternative; composite fencing. An increasingly popular option for home and land owners, composite fencing is often subject to a number of misconceptions, which we will set straight in the post below. Without further ado…
The Truth Behind Common Composite Fencing Misconceptions
1. Composite fencing is expensive
Due to a number of factors, including the Covid pandemic, the price of softwood lumber increased by 113% in 2021, while C16 and C24 lumber prices increased by 60-70%. This pricing increase has slowed, but it is still creeping up. In general, building material prices increased by another 0.8% in May 2024. So while the initial outlay of buying composite fencing is higher than that of wooden posts and panels, the difference in cost between composite and wood is minimal and getting smaller. If you factor in lifespan and the cost of protecting and maintaining wooden fences, composite fencing actually works out cheaper in the long run.
2. Composite fencing fades
While it is true that composite fencing can change colour over time, it takes years for any noticeable change and even then the fading will be minimal. In comparison to wood fencing, which will completely lose its colour in the space of a year unless painted or stained (and that will need to be reapplied regularly to stave off rot), composite is far superior for colourfastness.
3. Composite fencing isn’t very strong
No fencing material will last forever. But when you compare the durability of wood fencing with composite, the composite always comes out on top. Wood is a beautiful and versatile material but years of wind, rain and temperature fluctuations will weaken and degrade it. Bison composite fencing comes with a 20 year guarantee and the chances are that it will last much longer than that. Provided it is installed correctly, your composite fencing may even be the last fence you need buy.
4. Composite fencing doesn’t look as good
Although this boils down to personal taste, composite fencing is now available in a range of colours, styles and finishes. While it will never look just like wood, if you’d prefer a uniform look with little variation, a composite fence may be the ideal choice for your garden.
Composite fencing isn’t for everyone. But if you’re looking for a low-maintenance fencing solution that will last you for decades, it’s certainly worth considering.
If you’d like to find out more about composite fencing solutions for your home, head on over to our gardening and landscaping pages.
