How Much Should A Vinyl Fence Sway?
If your vinyl fence is swaying, it should not be a large concern as long as it is not wobbling. Usually, this is due to winds or heavy rain. When heavy winds hit your vinyl fence, it may slightly sway. But if the entire posts wobbles, this could be due to many things, including improper installation, thinner or low-quality vinyl fence materials, or just extreme wind conditions. If you are wondering whether a vinyl fence should sway, there should be some give, but not enough to where your fence is completely unstable.
The Difference Between A Wobbling And Swaying Vinyl Fence
When people claim that vinyl fences sway, they may mean wobbling or vice versa. If a fence is installed correctly, it should never wobble. However, a fence may look like it is swaying if it is high-quality vinyl and flexes when wind, rain, or snow forecasts are in the mix. The flexing may appear as if it is swaying. But if you notice that your entire fence is wobbling, there may be additional issues that are causing your fence to appear unstable.
The Difference Between Wobbling And Flexing
As you may have read, it is natural for a vinyl fence to flex. This is due to the lightweight PVC material. The positive about using this material is that it is not prone to rusting, like chain link fences, or rotting, like wood fences. However, since this material is light, wind can move it. If you choose to use thicker vinyl fence planks, it will be able to maintain rigidity in a solid gust of wind. Even if this is true, your fence's thickness does not matter. It will still flex eventually. This is normal for a vinyl fence if you see it flex or sway. But, if you see extreme wobbling, this is a cause for concern.
Why Does A Vinyl Fence Wobble?
A fence may wobble if the installation is not done as the instruction manual with your vinyl fence dictates. Some common installation issues include not adding concrete to your post hole, not adding enough concrete to the hole, or a post that is completely broken.
If you have high winds in your area, the National Weather Service usually defines them as winds from 40 to 57 MPH. The fencing options from Durable, are made in the US and with high-quality vinyl. If you have a privacy fence less than 6 feet tall, depending on the installation method, it can handle wind up to 130 MPH, otherwise known as a category four hurricane. Therefore, you should not be experiencing any wobbling with your fence. If it does, you should check the installation method.
Vinyl Fence Wobbling, Swaying, and Flexing Vinyl Fences
There are many methods to install your vinyl fence, including concrete or the no-dig method. While contractors may agree or disagree on the best method, using post stiffeners to strengthen your fence is necessary if you live in an area frequently hit by hurricanes. While post stiffeners may be expensive, they will add to the structural integrity of your fence. View the fence selection below if you want a durable fence that will stand up to strong winds. If you need strong post stiffeners, visit our friends at Vinyl Fence Fittings for aluminum line post inserts.