PVC Fencing?

[NevadaSmith]

rmonio,
Something that is lacking in these posts.... make sure you get the heavy gauge fencing if you are doing horses. The stuff they sell at Home Depot is thin and will crack. Look for .160 wall thickness vs. .100 thickness. Most places do not advertise the thickness...but you can tell by the price.

NevadaSmith

 

[BB_TX]

If you really want horse fence, some of them also sell true 2"x 6" rail. The standard rail is 1-1/2" x 5-1/2". But the larger rail is also considerably more expensive. I have not bought any yet, but I got several quotes a couple years ago. The standard rail was quoted at $3.75 - $4.25 per foot including delivery. No tax since they were out of state. The large rail was more like $8.00/ft. A quote for 4 rail fence (2x6) was about $10/ft.
There are several of the fences that have been in my area for several years. All seem to be holding up well. Have only seen one rail on one fence down. It was a half rail at one end of a fence. But I have not noticed horses behind any of them.

 

[rmonio]

I get the impression that the PVC fencing is pretty heavy and with all posts concreted that there is enough strength inherently in the fence. My questions to the group are:
1) how does it hold up in the cold?
2) is 4-rail stronger than 3-rail?
3) how is hot-wire (electric) wired to the plastic? Is it mounted outside the rails (to the inside)? And if so, what is the typical mounting technique?

I think the pricing that Gardner gives is very reasonable and I'm still checking with other vendors locally to see what they offer. My only real worry in this is not being able to talk to someone locally who can give me pointers on install, have him look over my perimeter layout and give me recommendations, etc. I don't want an installer to do the work - we'll do it ourselves - and Gardner has a local facility so bringing it home shouldn't be an issue.

If anyone from MN reads TBN and has PVC fencing, I'd be happy to talk them about it!

Thanks!

-Bob

 

[bearhawk]

We are looking at building our fence with This.

The posts need to be set firm, but can be up to 12' apart.

Jim

 

[Foxpoint]

I highly recommend the flex fencing. It's advertised as maintenance free. Hoever, it does require periodic re-tensioning which is simple with two 1/2 drive ratchets and a 3 foot length of pipe. We put up a system with the 5.25 inch top rail with four vinyl coated wires to keep the costs down.

 

[rmonio]

Okay - final comment here...

I've talked to several vendors and installers. Gardner is by far the cheapest (best I've seen is $4.50 a foot). Most of the local firms/installers want $10 a foot and a god's price for installation. Since the range is so incredible, I contacted John Lyons (the horse fellow from RFD) who recommends Gardner. The feedback was very positive. I guess at this point I'm wondering what is the general consensus from everyone on Gardner (I've asked Eddie directly for his comments). One local firm has Gardner listed as a serious flake, major issues, etc... but I don't think John Lyons would want to recommend someone like Gardner if they weren't decent.

Please help and chime in where you can. Thanks again!

-Bob

 

[rmonio]

Well, we finally got the fencing in and will be doing the final railing this next weekend. 1350 feet of fence - 155 posts, concrete, rails, etc. I expect to put in the brick pillars next year in the front and then mate the adjoining fence to the pillars - so it will stay finished 2 posts short at the driveway. This is a start - but it's been a great project for our family and we're really pleased with how it all turned out. The Gardner PVC has gone well, too. Here's some pictures!

-Bob

 

[rmonio]

Another Shot - this time going down the road to the South.

 

[rmonio]

Another Shot - this time looking to the North and the corner.

 

[rmonio]

Another Shot - looking down from the Hill to the East.