Common Questions

Quality

What is VinylGard Vinyl made of?

Our exclusive vinyl is formulated from raw materials including polyvinyl chloride (PVC), UV inhibitors and impact modifiers. Because we use only premium ingredients, you'll get superior performance.

How is VinylGard Vinyl manufactured?

Our products are manufactured using a state-of-the-art process called coextrusion, which concentrates UV inhibitors on the exterior layer where they can combat the sun's harmful rays.

Appearance

What are the available styles?

There are over 40 vinyl product designs from four categories: VinylGard® fence, deck and rail and Garden Essence® garden accessories. We offer a range of fence styles, from privacy to picket, ornamental to ranch, to give you the widest possible selection. There’s a choice of 2 decks, with our premium brand, Teck Deck®, featuring a two-piece design that delivers a seamless deck surface. You’ll find a number of rails that all deliver maintenance-free performance. And we also offer picnic tables, park benches, arbors and trellises for the yard. All fence styles have matching gates in standard configurations that can be hung as single or double drive gates.double drive gates.

What are the available colors?

Our products are manufactured in 3 colors: white, gray and tan. Our garden products are available in white only.

Why doesn't VinylGard Vinyl come in dark colors?

It's a scientific fact that dark colors fade and deteriorate faster than light colors, so a more complex vinyl formula is necessary to protect and preserve them. And because we don't feel the technology is in place to guarantee you with a lifetime product, we simply don't offer them.

Do I have to use the post caps shown in your photos?

No. We offer over a half a dozen post caps in all 3 colors, so you can choose a specific style or mix and match as you like.

Does it look like wood?

Stylistically, our vinyl resembles standard wood profiles, but it doesn't have a woodgrain finish.

Safety

Is it safe and durable for everyday use?

Our products are safe enough for even the youngest members of your family, because they have smooth surfaces with no nails, sharp edges or splinters. Not only do our products hold up to regular property maintenance, but they're also made to bounce back on impact because they're reinforced with steel or aluminum inserts. It is wise, however, to be careful when using mowers, weeders or clippers along your fence line.

Do VinylGard products meet safety and building codes?

Most of our products meet or exceed local, state and national building codes. Because building codes vary from region to region, you should contact your local VinylGard dealer for information on your community standards.

Is VinylGard Vinyl environmentally safe? Does it have lead in it?

Our vinyl is safe and non-toxic. It doesn't contain lead or require the heavy metals and dangerous chemicals needed to treat and maintain wood. It's environmentally safe, and because lumber isn't used (except for deck frames), trees are left standing. There aren't any chemicals used that might contaminate your yard, and our vinyl doesn't break down when exposed to soil, groundwater or the elements.

Is it safe for horses?

Yes. We've been serving the equine community since 1984, and our vinyl's smooth surface discourages horses from chewing, leaning and rubbing against the fence to scratch themselves.

Performance

Is it strong?

Our vinyl has 5 times the tensile strength and 4 times the flexibility of wood. We improve that performance and make our systems even sturdier by adding cross-braces in gates, reinforced ribs in rails, a sturdy rail system and maintenance-free metal inserts.

Is it heavy?

No. Our vinyl weighs only about 1.1 pounds per linear foot, which is much lighter than the typical wood used in home projects. But it's stronger, lasts longer and is easier to work with than wood. That lightweight, highly durable performance is particularly useful in dock projects, where the benefits are passed on to both builders and owners.

Will it burn?

Our vinyl has a high flash point of 900°F, so it doesn't ignite easily. If fire is held to it, it will burn. But as soon as the flame is removed, the vinyl will self-extinguish.

Will it turn yellow?

No. Yellowing in vinyl products is due to the sun's ultraviolet rays. Our products contain an industry leading 10 parts per 100 of titanium dioxide (TiO2), which is an extremely effective UV inhibitor. This amount of TiO2 is more than enough to prevent breakdown from the sun's ultraviolet rays.

Will it crack?

All materials expand and contract with hot and cold temperatures. But impact modifiers act as an added safety measure, adding flexibility to our vinyl so that it'll give instead of crack or splinter like wood. Our products are designed to operate under normal home or horse owner conditions, and will only crack under extreme circumstances.

How can it be cleaned?

Our vinyl is designed to be maintenance-free, and usually only requires the occasional rinse with a garden hose. But if more serious cleaning is necessary, a soft bristled brush with detergent or even a mild bleach solution will do the trick. Cleaning products should always be tested on a hidden section of your product before using on exposed areas.

Will it mildew?

Our vinyl has a smooth, non-porous surface, which makes it difficult for mildew to grow. But if conditions are humid enough, mildew can appear. If it does, it can be easily removed with water and/or a mild bleach solution.

Can I paint it?

Our products are designed to look like they're always freshly painted, so the only reason to paint them would be to change color. Epoxy-based paint is the only paint that will adhere properly to a vinyl surface, but it also damages the surface and therefore voids our lifetime warranty, so we don't recommend it.

Installation

How is a VinylGard fence installed?

Basically, our fences are installed just like wood fences. Most components are precut and routed from the factory. First, posts are secured to the ground with concrete footings. Then rails are inserted into posts and finally pickets into rails. A properly installed VinylGard fence is a strong, durable, lifetime fence.

How are vinyl decks installed?

We offer two styles of decks: Liberty Deck™ and Teck Deck®. Each installs differently but they all install over a standard deck substructure. Liberty Deck has channels where screws are fastened into the substructure. After installation, channel covers are snapped over the channels to hide the fasteners for a clean deck surface. Teck Deck is a patented two-piece design where the bottom piece is first attached to the substructure and then the top is rolled out and snapped into place. The completed deck surface is free of fasteners and joints. Our deck systems have finishing pieces to hide end cuts. The only tools required are standard woodworking tools and two inexpensive VinylGard deck spacers.

Ownership

Do VinylGard products come with a warranty?

Yes. In fact, no other manufacturer offers a Lifetime Warranty like ours, because it's non-prorated, covers materials (repair or replacement) for a lifetime.

Is VinylGard Vinyl more expensive than wood?

Initially, our products cost more than wood (unless you're buying premium wood, then they're about on par). But you'll never need to invest any more time or money into them because they come with our lifetime warranty. Wood, on the other hand, will need to be maintained for the rest of its life span, whether painting, staining, repairing or replacing. And with wood's cost increasing while its quality decreases (most of it's young growth lumber), vinyl products have never been a more attractive purchase. Your local VinylGard dealer can give you a free estimate for material and installation costs.

Glossary

What is Polyvinyl Chloride?

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): PVC is the main component in the manufacturing process of VinylGard products. There are many chemical forms of vinyl. Some formulations are flexible. Others are termed "rigid." VinylGard Vinyl is formulated out of this rigid dry-blend compound developed for high output extrusion. Our exclusive formula is blended for outdoor toughness and high quality

What is Titanium Dioxide?

Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) is a chemical additive that acts as a sunscreen for VinylGard Vinyl. VinylGard Vinyl contains 10 parts per 100 of TiO2. Because VinylGard Vinyl is manufactured using coextrusion, the majority of TiO2 is concentrated on the outer layer where it is exposed to the sun. This ingredient is critical to the long-term weatherability of VinylGard Vinyl Products.

What are Impact modifiers?

Impact modifiers are important ingredients for VinylGard Vinyl. We add just enough flexibility to our vinyl so that our fences will flex under most impacts. We reinforce many fence styles with rust resistant steel inserts to assure strength and stability. VinylGard fences are designed to look like new, even after years of use.

What is Coextrusion?

Coextrusion is the manufacturing process that VinylGard Vinyl Products uses to molecularly bond the ingredients into two layers. These layers are fused through extreme heat and pressure and cannot be physically separated. Coextrusion allows VinylGard Vinyl Products to have the ability to control the placement of the majority of the UV inhibitor TiO2 to the outside where it is exposed to the sun.

As a coextruded manufacturer that uses only premium ingredients, we assure you, you'll get the best quality possible and guarantee the vinyl won't decay, blister, rust or suffer insect damage.