Tag Archive for: Composite Fencing

Composite Fence Overview

Composite fencing looks and feels like a real wood fence, but it is not. It is generally made from recycled materials such as plastic and wood fibers.

What is Composite Fencing?

The “composite” in composite fencing refers to the process of binding two or more dissimilar materials together to create something new and generally stronger. In this case wood fibers and plastic. Years before there was composite fencing, composite lumber was used mostly in decks. Composite lumber can be a lot more expensive than wood, and it was a long time before the companies that made composite decks had a lot of requests for composite fences. It was easier for people to justify to themselves that the expense was worth it when it came to something that they used almost everyday for activities ranging from relaxing in the sun to hosting a family barbecue. Eventually the increasing demand for low-maintenance “green” materials had people looking to composite lumber for their fencing needs too.

Uses

Composite fencing has a wide variety of uses. It doesn’t rot or decay, so it is ideal for constructing a compost bin. You can also use it to build a privacy fence for your pool or hot tub. Before you purchase the materials, though, make sure it won’t stain if splashed with chlorinated water. If you are looking to fence in your yard to keep kids and pets in or unwanted visitors out, the strength and durability of composite fencing as opposed to vinyl fencing makes it the better choice.

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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.

 

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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 Fencing Market

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

More  Market Research Report

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

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The Introduction of Composite Fencing

The Introduction of Composite Fencing

In 1989, we started out as Cedar Fence Co. and as the name implies, we installed wood fencing almost exclusively. Other than chain link, at the time there were no other significant alternatives to wood in residential fencing in our market.

As we evolved, we began to provide the installation of decks and other outdoor structures. Gravitating towards deck building was an important move for our company because it later introduced us to composites.

Over the ensuing years, we found that composites have become the preferred decking material in Utah. Last year, our company was acknowledged as the largest purchaser of Trex decking materials in our region and today less than 5% of our decks are built in wood.

Additionally, since the introduction of Trex fencing in 2005, we have seen a shift to composite fencing. We have promoted the product heavily in our area and now build over half of all fences with Trex. The demand is still growing in favor of composite properties, particularly in the new housing market. We’ve found that the composite fence is especially attractive to consumers with larger homes – an interesting trend that relates well to the history of vinyl fencing as you will see in a moment.

Composites have proven to be versatile, attractive, combine well with our wood projects, and our marketplace has readily embraced them as the product of choice for many applications.

This excerpt is taken from a presentation in 2007 to the Composite Association in Baltimore Maryland. As presented by Rick Ashcraft, President of Fence & Deck Supply.

 

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Bufftech Benefits

People are always wondering how to save money; or at least pay for what they get. When it comes to their home, there is no substitute in this viewpoint. The rich do not get rich by paying more than what they get, nor do they get rich by buying on the spot. They know how to research and get exactly what they pay for; nothing less.

When it comes to fencing, people want to know they are getting a fence that will last; one that was built to stand the test of time. There are of course different levels of fence quality. With wood, there are several different woods that can be used to fence your property. Some are cheap and just offer a barrier like Douglas Fir. Some offer striations in the wood and accept stains well like cedar and redwood. Yes, the prices range widely depending on the quality of each wood from $10-15 per foot up to $20-30 per foot.

Plastic fences are no different. With vinyl there are several different qualities of the poly vinyl chloride. All companies will tell you that the vinyl they use is the best, but how can you tell for sure? Most have UV inhibitors to block fading, but that limits the color options you can choose. Some will tell you that their vinyl can withstand hurricane winds; not true. Vinyl can even get brittle in extreme cold temperatures.

SimtTek is the only plastic fence that has the Miami-Dade wind rating to withstand 110mph sustained winds and 130mph gusts. Bufftech will not get brittle in extreme cold temperatures and Bufftech offers colors to please every eye; light, medium, and dark. Bufftech has been installed in residential applications, commercial properties, as well as known places like the Ford Motor Proving Grounds in Michigan and the LDS Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.

If you are looking for that faux rock wall, simulated rock wall, or upscale look to your home or business property line, give Bufftech a look; you will be pleasantly surprised what plastic can look like. 

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Composite Fence Benefits

Fences made from composite materials are strong, durable, and they are mostly unaffected by moisture. Composite fencing is also low maintenance. Most of the time all you have to do is hose your fence down and let it dry. Stubborn areas can be taken care of with a pressure washer or cleaning fluids and a scrub brush.

The ease at which composite fencing can be put up is also appealing. The steps to install composite fencing is much the same as with wood fencing; there is usually no call for special tools, which are expensive and a lot of people view as a waste of money because they are only used for one project. Some manufactures make it so that traditional woodworking tools, such as routers and table saws, can be used for construction and customization. The ability to customize your fence and make it unique is much better than with vinyl fencing (another popular alternative to wood fencing).

There are environmental benefits to using composite fencing as well. The people who make composite decking and fencing were “green” before it became popular. Most composite fencing is made from 50 to 100 percent recycled materials. It keeps plastics like shrink wrap and grocery bags out of the landfills, and it creates a use for leftover wood pulp from paper mills that would normally go to waste. Another point in composite fencing’s favor is that it isn’t laced with chemicals like pressure treated wood is. These chemicals can sometimes leech into the surrounding area-especially if the structure or fence is several years old and decaying- and the sawdust from pressure treated wood can be hazardous to your health if ingested or inhaled.

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Trex Fencing Wind Load Testing

When Trex Seclusions® wood composite fencing was first brought into production in 2005, Trex® wanted to make sure that they had a more superior product to the common dog-eared composite fences that were being manufactured. In March of 2009, the Trex Company sent their fence product to York, PA to have it tested for its Miami-Dade wind load capacity.

The setup included a steel fixture to simulate an embedded rigid post. The bottom rail was a standard 2” from the ground. The panels tested were 6’ high by 8’ wide and the posts are 5” x 5”. The fence was assembled by the testing company Architectural Testing at their York, PA campus.

In the test, wind speeds started out at 75mph for 50 seconds, then reduced to zero for one minutes to check for recovery. Recovery is the distance the panel, pickets, posts, and rails move from having the wind blowing against it, to when the wind ceases. Winds speeds were then increased to 110mph for 35 seconds, then reduced to zero for one minute to determine recovery.

In the observations, there was neither separation of fence components nor any visible damage. The Trex Seclusions® fence withstood a maximum sustained wind of 110mph, which is equivalent to a “three-second gust” wind speed of 126mph.

In a separate test, the posts were used to see what kind of support the post could withstand. One end of the post was securely anchored to a horizontal test frame. The load was set 38” from the end of the post frame. The post was then loaded with weights until the post failed. The final load the post could withstand was an astonishing 1737lbs.

Trex is a very rigid and durable fence; one that will outlast the tests of time… and wind. You can learn more at www.trexfencing.com or call Fence and Deck Supply at 1-877-700-8739.

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Trex Fencing Creep Testing

When Trex Seclusions® wood composite fencing was first brought into production in 2005, Trex® wanted to make sure that they had a more superior product to the common dog-eared composite fences that were being manufactured. Between the months of March and June of 2006, the Trex Company sent their fence product to York, PA to have it tested for its “Creep Test”. In a creep test, a product is tested at a specific temperature for a specific length of time. There is also a specific amount of weight added to the product. With these three specifics in place, the product is viewed and any movement in the product, i.e. sag or warping, is recorded.

The two Trex® panels that were tested were both 6’ high by 8’wide Trex Seclusions wood composite fence panels. They were enclosed by an insulated box designed for high temperature conditions. The testing facility added windows to be able to view the dial indicators installed on both the top and bottom rails. The fence panels were then loaded with 100lbs attached to the middle of the rails. Any movements in the fence rails were then recorded.

Once the temperature reached its target of 125°F ± 5°F, the measurements were recorded. The testing lasted for a period of 90 days at the same temperature with the same amount of weight on it. The results were staggering. Most consumers in heat driven areas of the country (like Arizona, Texas, New Mexico and California) know that composite does not do well in high temperatures for long periods of time.

The final test specifics were: actual weight hung from panel – 103.54lbs and steady state temperature – 124.4°F. The top rail in this test only moved a minimal 0.0158 inches and the bottom rail moved a minimal 0.039 inches.

Other composite fences in this test would have sagged or warped in temperatures of 125° for 90 days. Also, with the added weight of 100lbs, one would assume that there would be more movement than what was witnessed. So, the next time you replace your fence and think that you have to settle for a cement, wood, or masonry fence, give CFC Distributors a call at 1-877-700-8739.

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Trex Composite Fence Sound Test

When Trex Seclusions® wood composite fencing was first brought into production in 2005, Trex® wanted to make sure that they had a more superior product to the common dog-eared composite fences that were being manufactured. In December 2006, the Trex Company sent their fence product to York, PA to have it tested for its sound barrier quality. In a sound barrier test, the product is placed inside well insulated walls using three layers of 5/8” gypsum board. The wall cavities are filled with R-13 fiberglass insulation. The perimeter and seams get sealed with acoustical sealant.

A total of five microphones are used and tested before placement behind the fence panel. After the fence panel is in place, the microphones are strategically placed behind the fence panel to catch sound from one end of the panel to the other. Because air temperature and relative humidity affect sound, those tests were also performed and monitored during sound testing.

The test company used a hertz range from 80 on the low end up to 5000 on the high end. By using a wide range of frequencies, this assists in the testing accuracy of its final score. Trex Seclusions® wood composite fencing can block up to 95% of direct sound.

Knowing this, the state of Utah and the Department of Transportation installed over 17,000 linear feet of Trex Seclusions® along a light rail project. In most areas the fencing is 12’ tall. Try doing that with any other wood composite fence product on the market today. In Florida, they are in the works to get Trex Seclusions® approved for their light rail project. In Colorado, there is a 40 mile project going on to fence the perimeter of an HOA. No matter your application, keep the noise out and install Trex Seclusions® wood composite fencing. Call Fence and Deck Supply s at 1-877-700-8739.

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Next Generation of Fencing Part 4

Market Adoption

Costs for composites are higher than wood or vinyl. The manufacturing process adds a labor and material acquisition element that does not exist with wood and, though pound-for-pound a composite product is more in line with the cost of vinyl, the significantly higher volume of material in a composite means higher cost. However, the cost benefit over time is clear once the lifetime of a fence is considered.

In a recent study by SBI Reports, forecasted demand for alternative fencing will continue to grow with composites growing the fastest. A case study for Highlands Ranch Metro District in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area was developed to evaluate various materials and design for appearance, life span, structural integrity, costs, and construction logistics. Several conclusions led to the selection of composite fencing as the best overall solution:

  • The posts are as durable as needed and more attractive than masonry.
  • The fence wall has a smaller footprint which was important to reduce utility conflicts.
  • Requirements for long-term maintenance – staining, post replacement, reduced impact from damage such as snow plowing and low-impact situations – are lower overall than other products compared.
  • The analysis indicates that while costs for installation of Trex (the selected brand of composite) are higher at the outset, virtually all of the costs are front-loaded. Comparatively, over the lifespan of fence, the outlay of a wood fence matches Trex at around 10 years and continues to rise while the costs of a Trex product remains constant over its 25-year warranted period. The overall longevity of the fence is anticipated to be 40+ years.

This type of analysis, although perhaps more thorough than an average consumer is likely to perform, creates a growing awareness of the benefits of composite fencing. Consumers expectations of better solutions for low-maintenance fencing will cause the market to continue growing.

The introduction of products creates challenges for fence contractors and their suppliers both in creating a successful sales strategy and becoming acclimated to building with the new product. The economic downturn over the last several years has been disruptive to the traditional business model of standing pat on a core competency. As their consumer base shrinks, the contractors that selectively expand their portfolio of products will have a competitive advantage over those that do not adapt. For the short term, the contractors that make an early entry into composite fencing will be able to differentiate themselves until composites become a more widely accepted commodity as vinyl fencing has become.

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