PVC & Vinyl Fencing - Frequently Asked Questions

Why is PVC fencing safer for enclosing horse paddocks?

Because a PVC is designed to flex, it takes a lot more force before it will break.

It also does not pose a risk to a horse that might result from it getting tangled up in a wire fence. If a horse hits a Polvin Fencing Systems PVC fence at speed, the rails are designed to pop out, therefore minimising the risk of injury to the animal. If a fence is subject to reasonable force, it is designed to flex and return to its original shape in normal circumstances. The feature is a direct result of the high grade of PVC used in our products.

Is vinyl fencing suitable for fencing paddocks for other types of domestic animals?

It is a safe, maintenance-free form of fencing for all sorts of domestic animals. Additionally, if you are in the business of breeding quality horses, cattle or even alpacas for sale, then the clean, uniform lines of our vinyl fencing around your property will speak volumes for the quality of your business.

Is PVC dangerous to horses which wind suck?

Horses which develop the wind sucking disorder typically will chew on almost anything, especially timber fences, because timber offers them taste and texture. PVC has neither taste nor texture so it can play a significant role in helping ensure that wind sucking does not start.

What makes Polvin Fencing Systems vinyl better?

Polvin has developed a formula to ensure its enduring quality and make it the best PVC fence available in the world. The quality of the ingredients are the best available and the proportions are computer controlled throughout the manufacturing process.

Polvin Fencing also meets or exceeds all the requirements of ASTM F 964, the standard set for PVC fencing by the American Society for Testing Materials, in co-operation with the PVC fencing Industry.

It is therefore with absolute confidence that PFS are proud to offer a 50 year warranty. (see warranty for further details).

The main ingredient used to combat UV degradation in PVC is Titanium Dioxide (Tio2). Whilst there is no American (ASTM)or Australian standard which controls the amount to be used, the American INDUSTRY standard is 10 PPH (parts per Hundred). Some American manufacturers use as little as 4 PPH.

Because Australia has much higher UV levels than the Northern Hemisphere, our Laboratory tests have shown that a level of 12 PPH is required to effectively combat our high levels of UV. This is the amount that we use.

When more Tio2 is added, it can cause the impact strength to drop. This is one of the reasons that overseas manufacturers use as little Tio2 as they can get away with. To overcome the drop in impact strength, far higher levels of impact modifier also needs to be added.

Adding more Tio2, and then also more impact modifier, increases the cost significantly, so the overseas manufacturers avoid doing this. Our philosophy is to make the best product possible, even if it costs a bit more, which is why our product is the only product guaranteed to withstand our harsh UV levels.

The Impact strength of our product is also more than 3 times better than the American ASTM standard. Couple this with the high levels of Tio2 we use, as well as other unique ingredients in our formulation, and we can confidently claim that our product is the best in the world for Australian conditions.

What makes Polvin Fencing Systems different from a timber or iron fence?

Polvin have eliminated the problems found with timber, wire or wrought iron. Our fence won’t rot, rust, splinter, discolour, warp or ever need painting. Iron or wire fencing can rust, and timber fencing can leach dangerous chemicals into the ground.

Our fences are also designed for a minimum of 50 years with virtually no maintenance, where timber is only good for 5 to 15 years and will constantly need painting or other chemical treatments.

Is it Australian Made?

Certainly! Polvin Compounds manufacture the PVC compound in Queensland and the Posts/Rails are extruded at Pro-Plas in Melbourne, Victoria. This enables us to control the quality of our product right through the manufacturing process.

The Polvin Fencing System is the only locally manufactured vinyl fence available in this country.

Is it Recycled Plastic?

Recycled Plastics are not used in Polvin Fencing Systems to ensure the quality is not compromised. All our fencing is made from 100% virgin PVC. We only use our own internally generated regrind. This keeps it out of the waste stream and helps protect the environment.

What is Vinyl?

All vinyl products are made from a combination of vinyl resin and various additives, which gives these products their particular properties.

Some of the additives commonly used in vinyl include the following.

· Stabilizers improve heat stability, minimizing the degradation of the vinyl during exposure to high temperatures in the extrusion process.

· Impact modifiers improve impact strength, or resistance of the profile to cracking or breaking.

· UV inhibitors protect the finished product from damaging rays of the sun. Titanium dioxide is the most common material used.

· Pigments provide consistent colour throughout the product and may screen or absorb UV radiation, which would otherwise cause rapid degradation of the product.

Is Vinyl Strong?

Polvin Fencing Systems vinyl has a higher tensile strength and 4 times the flexibility of timber. The use of quality impact modifiers ensure the fence is rugged enough for the application.

In addition to this we add reinforced ribs to the rails, which makes them strong enough to support an adult climbing on or over it. A horse leaning on it will also not break it. It is designed to flex and then return to it’s original shape.

Rails are easily replaced should breakage occur from severe direct impact, like from a vehicle for example.

Is it safe?

Polvin Fencing Systems products have smooth surfaces with no nails, sharp edges or splinters. Our specially designed rail notching system allows the rail to pop out of the post under severe impact, rather than breaking.

Therefore Polvin Fencing is much safer for horses and your family.

Vinyl has a tough surface, retains virtually no moisture and has no taste - therefore horses will be less inclined to suck or chew on a Polvin PVC fence.

What are the effects of Vinyl on the environment?

Vinyl products are safe, non toxic and will not support combustion. They will not break down and can be recycled after use. Compare this to timber which can have a severe environmental impact with loss of trees and resultant loss of habitat for our animals. Plus treated timber posts can leach dangerous chemicals into the surrounding soil.

Will it turn yellow?

A Polvin Fence will not turn yellow. We use a range of the highest quality ingredients to protect against the effects of UV rays, which is what causes PVC to discolour.Titanium dioxide (TI02) is one of the main ingredients and we use 20% more than the industry standard.However, a cheaply formulated PVC fence could turn yellow and go brittle.

All Polvin fences are warranted against unreasonable discolouration for a period of 50 years.

What colours are available?

Titanium dioxide is the main ultraviolet inhibitor. It is a white pigment which makes it difficult to offer dark colours which will retain their durability over time. Current technology will not guarantee darker colours lasting and therefore we do not offer them.

Polvin Fencing Systems offer 4 colours – White, Ivory, Spearmint and Sandstone.

Will it burn?

PVC has a very high flash point therefore categorised as being "self-extinguishing".

Does it chalk?

Light chalking is a normal occurrence of any pigmented surface and is normally washed away by rainfall and normal changes in weather.

However, Polvin Fencing is not comparable to cheap imported pvc garden furniture, which chalks and goes brittle after only a few years.

Our fencing is guaranteed against abnormal chalking, splitting, rotting or splintering for 50 years.

Will my fence mildew?

Mildew grows on porous materials and vinyl is a non-porous material. Mildew, will, however, attach to dirt if the vinyl is not occasionally cleaned. The vinyl is easily cleaned with a solution of mild household detergent and water.

Will it crack, chip, peel or rot?

During the life of the Polvin Fencing System, under normal circumstances, you should not expect to find surface cracking, peeling, chipping or rot. See Warranty for details.

How do you clean the fence?

As with all exterior products, the vinyl fence will become dirty when exposed to the elements.

A mild detergent and water is normally sufficient to clean your fence. For tough stains, baking soda, kerosene or brasso can be used.

Does it expand or contract with the weather?

Like any other material, it is normal for vinyl materials to expand and contract during temperature changes. This must be allowed for during the installation process.

Is it affected by lawn mowers and garden equipment?

Any PVC or timber product can be affected by direct contact with lawn and garden equipment. Use caution when operating any type of equipment near fence posts, especially commercial mowers, which are more aggressive.

Can I add electrified attachments?

Attachments like a hot wire for post and rail fencing can easily be attached to any Polvin vinyl fence.

As Polvin fence does not conduct electricity, any type of connector can be used, including metal.

Do you concrete the fence posts?

We recommend that you treat vinyl posts the same as you do timber posts. If it is standard procedure to concrete timber fence posts in your area then you should concrete vinyl posts.

How big should the posthole be?

A good rule of thumb is dig a hole twice the diameter of the post and pour cement to within 50mm of the top of the hole. The hole and concrete should extend below the frost line in your area.

Can I paint my fence and railing?

Vinyl can be painted with a variety of paints. However, we don’t recommend it and doing so would void your warranty.

What warranty is offered?

Polvin Fencing Systems fences are warranted against manufacturing defects, including against rotting, rusting, peeling, splintering, and abnormal discolouration for a period of 50 years. See warranty document for more specific information.

How does cost compare to timber?

Although your investment is slightly more initially, this is where your expense ends. The cost difference is quickly eliminated once the substantial cost of continuous maintenance of a timber or metal fence is considered.

Cost Comparison

Cost includes price of fence averaged over 20 years plus maintenance and repair costs. Cost is expressed as a percentage.