Updated: July 17, 2023 | Originally Posted: January 27, 2020
Many homeowners who choose vinyl for their fencing needs because of the easy maintenance are dismayed when they notice vinyl fence discoloration. There are several advantages to vinyl fencing over wood or chain link fencing, but that does not mean this option is zero maintenance.
This article will touch on some of the advantages of vinyl fencing for Colorado homeowners wanting a low-maintenance way to protect their boundaries and will also discuss the causes and cures for the most common frustration from homeowners - vinyl fence discoloration.
Advantages of Choosing Vinyl Fencing for Your Colorado Home
Besides the obvious aesthetic value of vinyl fencing, there are many other advantages to installing a vinyl fence in your yard.
First, vinyl has a long life span.
Compared with wooden fences, a vinyl fence is easier to maintain and lasts much longer. Even the best wood fence will only last around 20 years. Meanwhile, a vinyl fence could last a lifetime if properly installed. Because synthetic materials make up a vinyl fence, it won't decay or rot. This makes the fence extremely durable.
Even better, vinyl fences are weather-resistant. Wood fences are porous, so they soak up rainwater and begin to rot. Just one of Colorado Springs's famous hail storms will wreak havoc on and require repairing most wood privacy fences.
A vinyl fence isn't porous, so rotting isn't a problem. Also, vinyl doesn't rust like a chain-link fence, and it's resistant to insects and pests.
But with all these advantages, there are still disadvantages to consider, including vinyl fence discoloration.
What Causes Vinyl Fence Discoloration?
Typically, vinyl fence discoloration can be attributed to one of three factors - time, the elements, and staining from mildew and other elements.
Time
Time is the cause of discoloration for some older vinyl fences that were manufactured with poor-quality vinyl. The good news is that today's vinyl manufacturing industry has worked hard on improving vinyl products, making them much more resistant to discoloration.
The Elements
Colorado is home to the most sunny days of any state in the U.S. While the boast of 300 days of sunshine is great for our moods and outdoor activities, the resulting UV rays can cause vinyl fence discoloration on older fences and, in some cases, can even cause the panels to become brittle and break.
However, as vinyl manufacturers worked to increase the quality of vinyl fence paneling to prevent fading over time, they have also discovered new ways to keep vinyl from being susceptible to damaging UV rays. Much like adding sunscreen to your skincare process, by adding titanium dioxide to the manufacturing process for vinyl fence panels, UV rays are unable to penetrate the paneling.
Staining From Mildew
Anything left outside and exposed to the elements can fall victim to dirt and staining. While dirt will wash off, mildew is more challenging to eliminate and may leave a permanent reminder of how your sprinklers were misaligned one summer. And no surprise, the risk of discoloration is higher with white vinyl fencing than with their darker counterparts.
What can you do about vinyl fence discoloration? Keep reading to find out.
How Can You Resolve Vinyl Fence Discoloration?
The steps needed to cure vinyl fence discoloration depend on why the vinyl lost its color in the first place.
For fences that have fallen victim to the age-old culprits of time and sun exposure, there are limited options for getting your color back. The easiest of these options is simply painting your fence. Of course, color matching can be problematic (even if you have a white vinyl fence), and painting requires additional upkeep from year to year.
Related: Painting a Wooden Fence - A Guide for Southern Colorado
However, if you have mildew, mold or hard water stains on your vinyl fence, there are many more options available to resolve the discoloration. With most of these methods, you should start by hosing your fence down to remove excess dirt and debris.
Next, wipe down your fence using a solution of either vinegar and water or bleach and water. In our experience, this formula does better at cleaning the fence than removing stains, but that is not to say that a good scrubbing cannot effectively remove mildew and mold from your fence.
Many homeowners find that a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is the answer to scuff marks and stains on vinyl, but before you use this in the middle of your fence, test on a small, less conspicuous area to ensure that the chemicals in the eraser do not remove the sheen or additional color from your fence.
For hard water stains, you can use a vinyl-safe rust-removal product. While we do not have a specific product we recommend, your local hardware store should have plenty of options in stock. In most cases, this will effectively restore your fence to its original color.
Once you have cleaned the fence, be sure to apply a sealant to prevent the stains from recurring.
Don't Let Vinyl Fence Discoloration Mar Your Outdoor Oasis, Call Blicks Fencing Today!
If the discoloration in your vinyl fence is more than you can live with, or if your fence has other repairs, such as holes or chips, the time may have come to replace rather than repair. Blicks Fencing has been helping Southern Colorado homeowners with fence repairs and replacement for decades. Contact us today for your free estimate!
