Black Vinyl Fence Products

A blogging friend of mine recently started an online fence supply company and I asked him to write a guest post. Keith Bloemendaal has been in the fencing and construction industry for years so he’s got lots of great experience that’s perfect for HCI.

New Vinyl Fence Products

Superior Fence Products, LLC, an online fence store for DIYers,  offers a wonderful, yet rare product in Black Ranch Rail Fence. This vinyl fence material is gaining in popularity among ranch owners that have to constantly paint and repair wood post and rail fences they have installed.

There are skeptics that believe it is not possible to have dark colored vinyl/pvc products without them fading or cracking because of heat. Our manufacturer has figured out how to solve that problem. In a letter written to me (because I was skeptical too) by a representative, they explain the process:

This group used a significantly different approach to formulating and creating a black vinyl material. First, they determined that PVC, which was used by the original company, was not the correct resin to be utilized in creating a dark colored vinyl because of PVC’s low heat distortion temperature. For example, PVC’s heat distortion temperature is below 160 degrees F. On a black surface, in direct sun, 180 degrees is common. As such, PVC based products in black do not have a very good chance of performing well in most environments without distortion and sagging problems. In evaluating other resin systems, CPVC was finally chosen as the best choice, since it’s heat distortion temperature is over 200 degrees F, which is well over the maximum temperature that will be reached on a black surface. This choice makes the product easier to work with in the field, and allows it to perform better after installation, i.e., eliminates sagging and distortion. The second area of formulation, which needed a new approach, was pigmentation.

Carbon black is the main pigment for black, but there are dozens, if not hundreds of carbon black pigments available around the world. In reviewing the weathering studies from some of the best pigment houses, we selected a high quality, exterior pigment that had performed very well in weathering studies. Then, we added another 40% over the recommended levels. And then, we added another UV inhibitor as an insurance policy. And last, but very important, was the evaluation of the auxiliary materials in the formulation. As with any plastic formulation, several additional materials need to be added to impart desirable physical properties, such as strength, rigidity, impact resistance, etc. With a dark color, it is very important to select materials, which do not chalk upon weathering. If the material chalks, materials in the formula migrate to the surface and accumulate, which tends to make a black product look gray. It looks like the color has faded, but actually there is a light, dusty chalk on the surface, which can usually be wiped off, but the effect on a dark color is not desirable.

In addition, the warranty says:

…vinyl fence, railing, accessories and gate products to be free from defective workmanship and materials and, when subject to normal use and service, against surface peeling, rot, ground insects, splitting, corrosion, flaking, rusting, blistering, abnormal weathering, abnormal distortion or abnormal discoloration.

And the lifetime warranty is for 30 years (non-transferable).

Our ranch rail products come in 2, 3, or 4 rail styles, and pricing starts at $8.45per foot on 2-Rail Black Ranch Rail fence.

Superior Fence Products also offers aluminum and white vinyl fence products, so feel free to browse their website for your next DIY fence project.

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1. Oops!: 5 Common Fence Mistakes To Avoid

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