FAQs

Architectural Fence Care & Maintenance

DURAFENCE boards are made from a wood plastic composite (WPC) and are virtually maintenance free, needing only periodic cleaning to keep your fence looking great. As we supply the aluminium components either anodised or powdercoated they require little maintenance other than the occasional wipe to keep clean.

Mould and Mildew

WPC boards has an antifungal agent added as part of the formulation. Mould or mildew will however, develop on any hard surface if foreign matter is allowed to build up. If this occurs we recommend that you wash down your fence using a mild solution of warm water and bleach, 30 Seconds Outdoor Cleaner or 30 Seconds Spray & Walk Away. Make sure that you follow the manufacturer's recommendations for use and always test the solution on a non prominent area of your deck or fence first. You can use a pressure washer but do not position the nozzle any closer than 300mm to the board surface as this may mark the surface of the board. WPC is a wood plastic composite. WPC is a combination of 60% wood fibre, 35% PE recycled plastic and 5% additives.

Scratching

The surface of WPC will conceal minor scratches. Larger scratches can be removed by lightly sanding the face of the board or using a good wire brush. Please note that heavy sanding of your deck or fence will mark the surface, although this will fade as it weathers.

Staining

The best method of preventing staining is to clean the area immediately a spill occurs, before it soaks into the cellulose fibre. The WPC  composite surface will stain if oil, grease, wine, plant matter or rust is allowed to remain on the surface and penetrate the fibres. A strong solution of detergent and hot water, applied immediately after the spill has occurred, will remove most stains. Always test your cleaning solution in an out-of-the-way part of your fence to make sure that the solution will not bleach the colour out of your deck or fence.

Painting or Staining

WPC does not require any painting or staining over the life of the product. If you want to change the colour of the boards we recommend that you take a sample or an off cut of WPC to your paint supplier and test the suggested surface coating before purchasing and before applying to all the boards to ensure that a suitable bond between the board and the finishing coat is achieved. The paint will not penetrate the surface of the material like traditional wood. Always wait until the surface weathers before painting to provide more cellulose exposure for the paint to adhere to.

PVC Fence Care & Maintenance

Why Durafence PVC fencing?

PVC fencing has become increasing popular the world over. Unlike timber or metal, PVC will not crack, rust, fade or rot and is backed by a lifetime warranty. No other fencing product carries such warranty. With its green image, longevity, maintenance free properties and versatility PVC has become the number one fencing choice for home privacy, garden landscaping, pool areas, schools, farms and parks including golf and cricket venues.
 

How strong is PVC?

PVC has five times the tensile strength of wood and four times the flexibility. Our PVC fence components are engineered with impact modifiers and UV protectants to make our vinyl products strong and guaranteed against fading, cracking, blistering or discolouring even in the toughest weather conditions.

Will PVC break in cold/hot weather?

As with most plastics, PVC will become less flexible in colder weather conditions. However, unless subjected to unusual impact, it will not break. It is normal for materials to expand and contract during temperature changes. Our PVC products have been engineered to accommodate normal temperature swings and changing climactic conditions.

Why can't I get PVC fence or railing in dark colours?

Titanium dioxide is the main ultraviolet inhibitor. It is a white pigment. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain a dark colour while having this significant amount of white pigment. Dark colours also absorb heat and fade.

Is PVC safe for children and animals?

PVC products have smooth surfaces with no nails, sharp edges or splinters. You, your children, pets and animals are all safer. PVC has a tough surface, retains virtually no moisture, has no taste, and is non-porous.
This also makes ideal around vegetable gardens as PVC is non toxic.

Does it chalk?

Light chalking is a normal occurrence of any pigmented surface. Washed away by rainfall and normal changes in weather, this process helps to keep your fence looking like new. In effect, it could be described as virtually maintenance-free.

Will PVC burn?

PVC has a high flash point of 900°F and does not readily ignite. It is therefore categorized as being "self-extinguishing".

Will a weed eater scratch or hurt a PVC fence?

PVC fencing holds up to routine property maintenance, including the use of most types of weed eaters.

What is the warranty and what does it cover?

The warranty covers rotting, peeling, cracking, chipping and discolouration backed by our 15 year Warranty.

How do I clean PVC?

Use of a non-abrasive liquid cleaning agent is normally sufficient. However, for more stubborn stains, a product similar to Soft Scrub may be helpful.
Most Graffiti can be removed, first try using a non abrasive scoring pad with a liquid cleaner if the graffitti is new. Other options are methylated spirits , mineral turpentine or hairspray which has proved to be effective.
Marker pen ink can be removed with the above but you are left with a light ghosting. This will burn off over time with UV light or for quick removal Harpic wash & shine gel is effective.

Can I paint it?

There should be no reason to paint PVC. If you decide to paint it, an epoxy-based paint needs to be used in order to adhere to the smooth PVC surfaces. As with any painted product, it would have to be repainted in time. Any painting of your vinyl product voids its warranty.

How do you install PVC products?

Similar to most fencing, PVC fences are installed with concrete around each pos. See our installation video under installation tab.

Can I install PVC fencing on a concrete surface?

Yes. A steel plate and sleeve (sold separately) are attached to the concrete by dynabolts. The vinyl post slides over the sleeve and attached securely. A matching vinyl cap covers the plate.

Is PVC recyclable
Yes with help of the 3R group all our off cuts from jobs are sent to Marley NZ to be recycled with their own extensive recycling programme.