Composite Material For Fencing?

[Mosey_2003]

I'd like to put in new fencing this fall, have a large pasture (20+ acres) that I want to do. I'm planning on a 150' line of PVC in the front where it's visible behind the garage/next to the barn and then a paddock behind that and then do down the one outer line. I've been wondering, is that composite stuff they're using for decks now any good for fencing? I assume it's more expensive than wood, but if I got 4x4's to use as post I'm thinking it wouldn't rot, which would be the main point I'm getting at. Planning on doing posts and electric braid along the perimeter, and the same inside but with a rail on top. Thoughts? Experiences? Am I plain nuts? :lol:

[Catersun]

I want to know this about the use of composite as well.

[Mosey_2003]

nobody? :(

[poltroon]

What about this:

http://www.ltlumber.com/

This stuff looks very pretty, and I note also that it has a Class A fire rating.

[Kimberlee]

We are looking at building a deck, and were told the 4"x4" posts would be regular treated wood as the composite decking is just the decking planks. So, maybe available elsewhere, but Home Depot does not seem to know about composite 4"x4" posts.

[Tom King]

I think it would sag too much over a short time. Even for decks it's better to have the joists closer than 16".... although that link that Poltroon posted has stuff for fences that I haven't seen before and looks promising. I'll bet they are far away from giving it to you though.

[Catersun]

One of those lifetime lumber suppliers is about 3 hours from me.. I'm going to give them a call... My curiosity is piqued. I'll report back what I find out.

[BasqueMom]

We got some samples of the LTL Lumber--were thinking about adding to our web site but
it was very pricey and didn't think with today's economy there would be much interest.

Be interesting to see what you all think about it....

[Mosey_2003]

Ah well, it was a nice thought. Anything better than 4x4 treated posts then? I thought about the pvc-covered wood, but I'm afraid moisture would get in since I'd have to put insulators on them for the electric... Just wanna make sure I do the best I can when I do it so it lasts the longest and stays safe.

[Guilherme]

We've got to replace a two story porch on the house. We looked at the "composite" products and compared them to treated wood. The price for the composits is roughly twice that of treated wood. This means we'll be using wood as it's likely that the porch will outlive me. :)

The composit material is generally secured with screws vice nails (at least in the materials guides I've seen). They don't seem to suffer from water intrusion in a deck installation so I don't think they'd suffer much in a fence installation. But I'd ask the manufacturer to be sure.

If you live near a factory what are the odds of getting "seconds?" This might be make them cost effective as a fence material.

G.

[Southernboy]

The composites are not made to bend very far. Deck boards on 16" or 24" centers will bend a very short distance compared to your fence on 7' or 8' spacing. Some composites will just snap.

Pressure-treated products will last much longer when you realize that the treatment only goes into the wood a very short distance. Whenever you break the "egg shell of treatment" you need to seal it back up.

If you concrete your posts in, try to dome the concrete so rain water will run away from your posts and not collect around it.

[Mosey_2003]

The composit material is generally secured with screws vice nails (at least in the materials guides I've seen). They don't seem to suffer from water intrusion in a deck installation so I don't think they'd suffer much in a fence installation. But I'd ask the manufacturer to be sure.


Here I was talking about maybe using the PVC-covered wood, not the composite, but thanks! So if I did go that route, would screws make a difference?