If you’re planning a backyard renovation and you’re on the hunt for new garden fencing, you’ve come to the right place! There are a number of questions you may need to ask yourself while searching for the best fencing for your space, but one of the most common is composite or wood.
If you’re stuck on which material to go for, our guide can help! From durability to affordability and everything in between, these are all the factors you should consider when trying to choose which fencing material will be best for you.
Firstly, What Is Composite Fencing?
Whilst wooden fencing is a bit more self-explanatory, composite fencing is something you may not have heard of before. Composite is essentially a man-made material that combines recycled wood fibres and recycled plastic composites to create fencing panels. Composites are essentially all the best properties of wood and all the best properties of plastic combined to form one material.
Typically, they mimic the appearance of natural wood and can come in a range of colours like brown, ash and charcoal grey, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for a sleek and modern solution that is also incredibly durable.
Composite vs Wood: Which Is Better For You?
When it comes to what kind of material will be best for your garden fence, it really comes down to your unique needs. There are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind when you’re shopping for fencing materials – these include:
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Is it private?
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Is it durable?
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Does it match your aesthetic?
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Is it long-lasting?
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Does it fit in your budget?
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Is it weatherproof?
When it comes down to it, the fencing material you choose is entirely up to you, but some key considerations may influence your decision.
The first is wooden fencing. Whilst it may be a great low-cost option, you do need to consider that it isn’t as long-lasting as its composite counterparts, and it will require regular maintenance, including sealing and staining, which are additional costs to keep in mind.
Wooden fencing may also be susceptible to rotting – especially if you live in a particularly wet area, so you may find yourself needing to replace wood fencing more regularly.
Composite fencing, on the other hand, whilst a higher initial cost, requires very little maintenance and is also resistant to moisture, scratches and fading, so you won’t have to worry about replacing your composite fencing as regularly (if at all).
The Benefits
When looking into composite fencing vs wood, you’ll want to familiarise yourself with the benefits. Listed below are some of the benefits of both materials.
The Benefits Of Composite Garden Fencing
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Low maintenance: Composite fencing is low maintenance and doesn’t require regular staining, painting or sealing. Once it’s up and installed, it’s good to go!
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Weather-resistant: Composite fencing can withstand high winds, storms and heavy rain. Composite fencing won’t rot or warp even when exposed to wet weather conditions.
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Durable: Composite fencing is incredibly durable and long-lasting, so you won’t have to worry about replacing your fencing for many, many years.
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Eco-friendly: Our Lockinex composite fencing range is made from 100% recycled materials, so you can feel good about your fencing choice when you choose us.
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Multiple colours: Composite fencing is available in a range of colours “straight off the rack”. At Lockinex, we have composite fencing in Light Ash, Charcoal and Coffee Brown so that you can find exactly what you’re looking for.
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Increased value: Because it lasts for decades (and it looks great), composite fencing can really increase the value of your property for potential new buyers.
The Benefits Of Wood Garden Fencing
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Low initial cost: Wooden fencing is generally cheaper initially than composite fencing – it’s important to remember, though, that with the maintenance it requires and possible replacements, it may end up more expensive in the long run.
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Quick installation: if you need a fencing solution quickly, wooden fencing is a good option as it’s lightweight, easy to cut and quite simple to install.
Potential Drawbacks
When it comes to wooden fencing, in particular, there are a number of potential drawbacks that you may want to think about before making your final decision.
These issues include:
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Regular maintenance: Wood fencing requires much more regular maintenance than composite fencing, which can end up being incredibly time-consuming and costly.
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Rotting & Pests: Wood absorbs moisture, making it far more susceptible to rotting and pest problems than composite fencing. Not only can this cause massive structural problems, but it also isn’t nice to look at.
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Limited lifespan: wooden fencing doesn’t last nearly as long as its composite counterparts. Depending on how well it’s maintained, you’re generally looking at a lifespan of between 10 and 20 years, whereas composite fencing can last more than 50 years with ease.
So, Which Is Best?
Choosing what material to use for your garden fencing is entirely up to you, but if you’re looking for something durable, long-lasting, weather-resistant and cheap to maintain, composite fencing beats wooden fencing every single time.
Whilst both are great for enhancing the security of your home and ensuring privacy, composite fencing still reigns supreme with its low maintenance, sleek look and incredibly long lifespan.
If you want to chat through your options or you’re looking for some additional advice, contact us today to find out more.