Composite Fencing – the growth of a new generation of fencing product
Each year, new products are introduced at FENCETECH. Timing, cost, demand, and practicality are some of the factors that impact the potential success of new offerings. Some will fail to take hold. However, some products establish a foothold because they are viable solutions that fulfill a market need. The best new products typically have some historical precedence or key attribute that fill the niche that they serve. PVC fencing, manufactured ornamental steel and aluminum systems, and simulated rock walls are all game-changing products that at some point were “new-to-market.” They addressed a growing demand for low-maintenance products. In privacy fencing, plastic-based products that simulated traditional wood designs have established themselves as the best alternatives overall given their anticipated longevity and low maintenance requirements. Vinyl fencing in particular has grown aggressively to claim significant market share for privacy fencing.
It’s natural that newer products build on the successes of their predecessors, and then add refinements to address previous limitations. In our industry, wood fencing traditionally addressed the needs for privacy, and containment or exclusion, but as consumers increasingly find their time consumed with priorities other than maintaining a fence, the demand has amplified a low-maintenance requirement. Synthetic products such as PVC were developed as the next generation of privacy fencing. Over the years, vinyl and similar fencing performed well as a solution for the market needs. However, many products have inherent limitations that do not make them a complete solution. This is true for vinyl fencing. Although vinyl offers low maintenance and expense, the product has challenges in terms of durability and aesthetics. As a relatively lightweight product, production and transportation costs are lower but less material also increases the risk of degradation or damage in comparison to other more durable products. There is also something to be said about the impact of subjectivity. Buyers don’t just purchase based on price or performance. Decisions are heavily affected by the consumer’s individual sensibilities. What appeals to some may not appeal to all.
Why Trex fence over wood or vinyl?
Why Trex fence over wood or vinyl?
Wood and vinyl fence products have dominated the fence market for a long time. Traditional wood fences have been used since the early 19th century and have been the most cost efficient fence on the market. Vinyl fences became very popular in the mid 90’s when a poly vinyl chloride product was innovated for a low-maintenance, semi-durable, inexpensive, and neighbor friendly design. The fence industry is now noticing another change in the fence market with the next generation of fencing towards wood composite fences. Wood composite fences cost more than wood or vinyl because of the virtues composite fencing has to offer. See the comparison chart below that can be found on http://www.trexfencing.com/comparison.
Take the strength and the look of a wood fence with the low-maintenance of a vinyl fence and what do you create? A wood composite fence. These two reasons are why composite fencing is the next generation in the fence market. Consumers are tired of the synthetic fence look that does not provide a wood appeal. Consumers are also tired of destroying our national forests to build wood products.
Some composite fence manufactures such as Fiberon, Timbertech, Moisture Shield, or Nature Composites have tried to mimic a traditional style wood fence by providing wood composite fence pickets. These composite fence pickets are relatively expensive and still do not provide the best solution for a fully composite fence because of the composite quality, warping, bending, and unnatural feel of a wood fence. Usually these composite fence products like the pickets are composite but usually the rail’s core and interior framed wall of the posts are wood with a composite wrap or the rail’s and posts are metal. For a comparison chart and additional product information on composite fences go tohttp://www.compositefencing.net/composite-fencing-comparison/. Keep in mind that composite fences are combined with wood and plastic for two purposes: plastic shields wood from moisture and insect damage and wood protects plastic ultra violet damage. With having all composite fence materials will not cause the fence to corrode, warp, rot, and splinter unlike the other composite fence products that could happen because of the pure wood and metal pieces within the fence products.
Trex Fencing provides a solution for a fully upscale composite fence without any wood not combined with plastic. The only two pieces on a Trex fence that are not wood composites are the aluminum bottom rail that provides weight support for a section of fence and the nylon glass fence brackets (refer to websitehttp://www.trexfencing.com/technical-resources for exploded view of the fence in color or see picture below). Also unlike other most composite fences on the market, Trex fencing has been engineered, proven, and tested. Trex fencing has thousands of lineal footage installed throughout the United States and Canada. Trex fencing is also considered a “Green” product because of the 96% recycled content that qualifies for LEED® Certification (http://www.trex.com/trex/groups/content/@mktg/documents/document/trexmd_001644.pdf).
Just like the great poet Robert Frost said, “Good fences makes good neighbors.” Truly this statement correct because having a “Good” fence along a shared property line provides privacy, low-maintenance for property line owners, and reduces trespassing.
For more details and how to order Trex fencing from CFC Distributors go to www.FenceSellers.com.
Fence & Deck Supply and FDS Distributors Leads the Way
Here is an article that I stumbled upon that reminds me how far trex has come. It’s hard to imagine that in such a short time Trex composite materials have become a preferred building material among contractors. Fence & Deck Supply in Utah has been a driving force in the success of Trex building products across the state. Today we service markets across the United States. As the largest supplier of Trex Seclusions fencing, FDS has adapted to the changing demands from contractors and homeowners.
Our national partner, FDS Fence Distributors, now offers Trex Fencing by the job. This allows for the homeowner or contractor to buy only what they need when they want it. Reducing the amount of overhead that a fence contractor needs to have allows them to be more flexible in their business operations. As a leading pioneer in the capabilities and demands of Trex Fencing , FDS Fence Distributors can provide you not only with the product but the expertise needed to successfully complete your project.
Fence & Deck Supply is centrally located in the state of Utah and is quickly expanding to meet the demand of our customers. Fence & Deck Supply is a Trex authorized supplier. We are proud to say that we don’t follow the competition, we lead the way. If you are in Utah, call our Fence & Deck Supply locations. If you are outside of Utah and are interested in Trex fencing products, feel free to contact us at 877-700-8739.
| Trex Easy Care Decking Voted Number One By American Homestyle & Gardening Magazine Readers |
| WINCHESTER, VA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–December 1, 1999–What is the most popular home product of 1999? Trex(R) Easy Care Decking(R), according to American Homestyle & Gardening Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards. In the July/August 1999 issue, the magazine invited readers to vote for their favorite home products in a two-page color spread that featured 53 products nominated in a variety of categories. Trex decking was voted as the number one favorite with more than 4,000 votes. Trex decking and the runners-up are featured in the December/January 2000 issue of American Homestyle & Gardening.Manufactured by Trex Company of Winchester, VA, Trex decking answers the needs of busy homeowners seeking an attractive outdoor living space without the continuous care required by wood-surfaced decks. Trex decking never needs stains or sealants to keep its long-lasting good looks and will not rot, crack or split due to moisture, sunlight or insects. And, because Trex decking is completely splinter-free, families can go barefoot without a care! Homeowners will also be pleased to know that Trex decking is the only decking lumber of its kind to be code-listed by the nation’s three major building code agencies. “We are very pleased and honored that the readers of American Homestyle & Gardening recognize the numerous benefits of Trex decking,” said Andy Ferrari, Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing. From a style standpoint, Ferrari said the company encourages homeowners and their contractors to “think outside the rectangle” when planning to build a deck. “With Trex decking, the design possibilities are endless,” he said. “Trex finishes off beautifully with regular woodworking tools and curved shapes can be created easily. And, the homeowner is not limited to a rectangular deck. We’ve seen some incredible Trex decks that are completely round, octagonal or that incorporate curves and angles not possible with other decking lumber.” Trex decking is made primarily from recycled plastic grocery bags, reclaimed pallet wrap and waste wood. The company reminds consumers to bring their plastic grocery sacks back to the supermarket recycling bin, because they are truly making an impact. In fact, Trex Company used more than 90 million pounds of reclaimed plastic last year along with equal amounts of waste wood fiber to manufacture Trex decking. Due to the product’s growing popularity, Trex Company unveiled a brand new, state-of-the-art production facility in Fernley, Nevada this past summer to complement its original plant in Winchester, Virginia. Trex decking has a proven track record in the harshest environments in North America. It has been used for miles of boardwalk along the seashores in New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island and along Lake Ontario in Toronto, Canada; for the Presidential Trail at Mt. Rushmore and for walkways throughout the Florida Everglades. |
Eco Friendly Product
What do you get when you combine school children, plastic bags, and math? You get a Trex Product! Matoaca Middle School in Chesterfield, Virginia and Trex building products have teamed up for the second year. Students collect and count plastic shopping bags, newspaper bags, dry cleaning bags and food bags. After counting the bags, students graph the data for use in math and science class activities. Trex processes the plastic bags into alternative decking and patio materials.
Trex Seclusions fencing and decking products are serious about the commitment to the environment. Back that with Trex’s unmatched 25-year limited fade and stain warranty and all your left to worry about is if your house will last as long as your deck. This is why Fence & Deck Supply is proud to be Utah’s Trex Fencing supplier.
Form and Function – Trex
There are two purposes for a fence: form and function. If you only want a fence to do its job (keep people, animals, and other stuff out of your yard) then you may as well go with a chain link fence around your front yard. While this may be the most economical way to go, it doesn’t accomplish the second purpose of a fence: the form.
Most people want their fence to not only provide security for their yard and home, but also to make it look good. Your fence is the first thing that people notice about your home, even before your home itself. Why not make it look really good instead of focusing on the industrial chain link look? Consider some of my favorite options for having a fence that not only provides excellent security and strength, but also packages your home in an attractive fence.
Trex Posts with Ornamental Panels
This is my favorite look. By adding the Trex Posts (particularly in Saddle or Woodland Brown) it will make your iron fence more robust and add a new layer of depth to your yard. Plus, after all your landscaping and yard work do you really want to distract from your yard with a privacy fence?
Trex Composite Fencing
So maybe you want to cover up your yard or are not comfortable with having everyone see your house. Trex Composite Fencing alone provides the best look for a yard. I recommend using a two toned look with Saddle Posts, Top and Bottom Rail and Woodland Brown Pickets (seen below). This adds a new dimension to your fence line while not increasing the cost for materials at all.
Not set on either of these designs? Also look into Bufftech Faux Rock Fencing for an attractive option.
Trex Advantages – MoneyPit.com
I came across an article on themoneypit.com referencing Trex Seclusions wood composite fencing. The article talked about the Trex Company and its advancement in the composite world. Trex Seclusions wood composite fencing is more than a fence; more durable than vinyl and even most other dog-ear composites. It read, “The perfect fence should do more than just define a border. It should promise privacy and be welcoming at the same time. It should raise property value while being low-maintenance… But most of all, the perfect fence should be an extension of your home.”
How true is this? Most homeowners will take the cheap way out and install a chain link, wood, or vinyl fence, and not take into consideration the loss of value, the amount of maintenance, or money needed later on to maintain the wood fence or cheap vinyl fence they just paid for. Wood has to be stained every other year and vinyl is so brittle, errant rocks leave holes, kids punch or kick out panels, and lawn mowers and weed whackers break posts.
There is a great quote I love to reference when making a big dollar purchase. It says:The bitter taste of poor quality lingers far longer than the initial sweetness of a cheap price. Before ever hearing this quote, I would tend to lean to the “value” item I was purchasing, rather than taking into consideration how soon I was going to have to replace it compared to the name brand item that initially cost more. When replacing a fence or building a new one, you need to understand that a wood fence usually lasts 10-12 years with perfect maintenance. Vinyl again is so brittle that constant maintenance is needed to fix holes, panels, and posts that get damaged. Trex Seclusions wood composite fencing is durable like wood, and has the benefit of vinyl with its low-maintenance. With Trex Seclusions’ 25 year warranty and world renowned company backing that warranty; it’s hard to imagine ever having to do anything more than the occasional washing.
http://www.moneypit.com/product-reviews/trex-seclusions-privacy-fencing-information-and-benefits
Recommendations for Trex Graffiti Removal
As a graffiti remover you may use mineral spirits or a prepared graffiti remover. I found that the graffiti remover was quicker and performed a little better. I used a product called Klean-Strip Graffiti Remover. It is a spray can product available at Home Depot, Lowes or Walmart for around $8 per can. There are other products available at various paint stores that should perform as well.
When using the Klean strip, I found that spraying it on the graffiti and then waiting about 5 minutes works best. The product says to leave on about 30 minutes, but prolonged contact removes the pigment in the trex as well. So after 5 minutes, use a plastic scraper or a piece of heavy cardboard to scrape off the loosened paint. Follow up with a wet sponge to clean the rest. Depending on the paint, some trace color will remain in the porous surface.
To help eliminate the problem of the trace colors remaining, I recommend using a sealer to provide a sacrificial layer. This fills the pores and helps to prevent color getting down into the pores. The graffiti remover will remove the sealer also so just reapply the sealer after cleaning.
The product we have tested is Sealcrete Waterproofing Sealer which can be found at Jones Paint for around $14-$15 per gallon, depending on volume purchased. Coverage is approx 175sq ft per gallon. A 2nd coat would get around 260 sq ft per gallon.
Fence Market Rebound
Rebound in the fencing market is predicted for the next few years until 2016 and what are the top fences that consumers will be seeking? Consumers will be requesting high-value fencing materials like ornamental, plastic, and composite fence. Yes, composite fences like Trex fencing (www.TrexFencingFDS.com) which is the leading composite fence system on the market produced by Trex Company Incorporated.
What is a Trex composite fence? Composite fence materials are made from reclaimed wood fibers and plastic materials. These two ingredients provide the best fence product in the fence market. Composite fences acquire the best of a wood fence with strength and appearance (natural feel) and the best of vinyl fence with the low-maintenance aspect. A Trex composite fence is very durable, wood-like, low-maintenance: no painting or staining, engineered, proven, tested, and backed by a 25-year residential warranty.
Read the report on the US Fencing Market below published by www.Reportlinker.com.
NEW YORK, July 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:
US demand to rise 7.1% annually through 2016
Demand for fencing in the US is forecast to expand 7.1 percent per year to $8.3 billion in 2016, totaling 835 million linear feet. Growth will be driven by an expected rebound in building construction from a depressed 2011 base. In addition, advances will be supported by rising use of high-value fencing materials, such as ornamental metal and plastic and composite lumber. Consumers will opt for these materials because of their favorable aesthetic qualities and performance properties.
Residential fencing market to outpace nonresidential
The residential market accounted for the largest share of fencing demand in 2011 and will remain the market leader in 2016. Demand for fencing in residential building construction applications is forecast to increase at an above-average pace through 2016, fueled by a rebound in housing completions. Further growth will be supported by the large residential replacement segment, which will benefit from a recovery in improvement and repair spending. Nonresidential fencing demand will see strong gains through 2016. Increasing nonresidential building construction — particularly in the office and commercial segment — will stimulate demand. Fences are often installed around nonresidential structures to provide security barriers and to demarcate property lines. Fencing demand in the non building and agricultural markets will rise modestly through 2016. Gains will be moderated by the prevalence of low-cost materials, such as wood and metal wire, in these markets.
Plastic, composite fencing to be fastest growing
Among fencing materials, plastic and composite lumber is forecast to see the most rapid growth in demand through 2016. Plastic and composite materials often resembles natural wood, but has minimal maintenance needs and has a longer lifespan than wood fencing. Plastic and composite lumber is also seen as being a “green” material because it is often made from recycled materials, such as reclaimed plastics and wood scraps. In 2011, metal fencing accounted for the largest share of the fencing market in both dollar value and linear feet. Chain link fencing is often used to mark boundaries and secure properties, while ornamental metal fencing is erected around houses and businesses to form an aesthetically pleasing barrier. Demand for metal fencing will increase in line with the industry average through 2016, with ornamental fencing fortifying gains. In addition to the rebound in housing activity, some business owners will opt for ornamental fencing to serve as an aesthetically pleasing alternative to chain link and wire fencing. Wood fencing demand will advance at a below-average pace through 2016. This material is most often utilized in the residential market because of its low cost and favorable aesthetics. However, demand for wood fencing will be checked by competition from plastic and composite fencing. Concrete and other fencing materials will see solid gains through 2016. Demand for concrete fences will be supported by strong interest in concrete and other materials for use in privacy fences. Moreover, concrete fencing offers a high degree of protection from damages caused by impacts and explosives.
Study coverage
Details on these and other key findings are contained in the upcoming Fencing. It presents historical demand data (2001, 2006 and 2011) plus forecasts for 2016 and 2021 by material, market and US region. In addition, the study assesses market environment factors, examines the industry structure, evaluates company market share, and profiles 36 competitors in the US industry.
To order this report:
Building Material Industry: US Fencing Market
Check our Industry Analysis and Insights
Contact Nicolas: nicolasbombourg@reportlinker.com
SOURCE Reportlinker
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-fencing-market-164408526.html
To request more information about Trex composite fencing please contact Trex Company Inc. national fence distributor below.
Trex Fencing – FDS Fence Distributors
National Sales Team
Tel: 877-700-8739
Fax: 877-770-8739
Sales@TrexFencingFDS.com
www.TrexFencingFDS.com