Fences today use a huge amount of materials. Most often on personal plots you can find a wooden picket fence, metal mesh fences and structures made of profiled sheets, complemented by brick pillars.
Most recently, another option appeared on the market, which made it possible to significantly diversify the design of protective structures - this is a wood-polymer composite. A WPC fence is endowed with all the positive characteristics of products made of natural wood and plastic, while it does not require constant protective treatments and stains.
What are WPC fences?
Wood-polymer composite is a material whose main components are wood fibers and polymers (polyethylene, polypropylene and PVC). A thick mixture is made from these components, which is given a certain shape under the influence of high pressure. The finished product can be in the form of a board, a profile, or more complex elements from which various types of fencing structures are assembled.
WPC fence canbe made in a classic design (in the form of vertically arranged boards), in the form of a blind barrier (when the boards are installed between two columns in a horizontal position) or consist of a large number of narrow elements that are placed in a cross direction and diagonally.
The finished design may resemble a product made of plastic or MDF, but in both the first and second versions, the fence has fairly high technical characteristics.
Good Features
Due to the fact that synthetic binders are present in the composition of the raw material, the material acquires a number of positive qualities that are completely not inherent in wood. Namely:
1. WPC fence is not subject to rotting and colonization by mold and fungi.
2. The material is resistant to moisture, UV and sudden changes in temperature.
3. All elements of the fence are finished and do not need additional processing.
4. During operation, the fence does not need to be periodically painted, just wipe it with a damp cloth.
5. Due to the low weight and ease of processing of the composite, such structures are very quickly and easily installed.
6. A rich range of colors and a variety of textures allow you to choose a fence for any style of site design and take into account all the taste preferences of the owner.
Flaws
Fences made of any materials have their drawbacks, and the fence made of WPC is no exception. Consumer reviews speak only of two negative sidesItems:
• susceptibility to mechanical damage;
• changing the dimensions of the boards during their operation.
Indeed, such a fence can be easily scratched or damaged by any sharp object. However, such defects can be easily eliminated with the help of special restoration pencils.
Prolonged exposure to moisture and the sun can lead to slight deformation of structural elements, which is why the manufacturer took into account the presence of special gaps that ensure the free installation of all planks.
Installation
Anyone can assemble a WPC fence. Its construction is so simple that it does not require special skills to build a fence.
Standard kit includes 5 main parts:
• supporting pillars that perform a load-bearing function;
• plugs for supports;
• basic slabs or boards;
• fasteners for fixing parts;
• various decorative items.
The installation process begins with the installation of metal pipes-racks, on which a composite support column is put on top. The elements are connected by horizontal profiles, to which the main boards and decorative inserts are fixed. Thus, the entire fence from the WPC is assembled. The manufacturer attaches the photo installation instructions to the materials, so all the master needs to build such a fence is attentiveness and accuracy.
