Vinyl fence installation
Vinyl is the fence of choice in a lot of newer Idaho Falls and Ammon neighborhoods. Here's what makes one last on open, windy lots.
Drive through almost any subdivision built in Bonneville County in the last twenty years and you'll see white and tan vinyl fences on every block. Homeowners pick vinyl because it never needs paint or stain and it won't rot. The catch is that a solid vinyl panel behaves like a sail, and the open ground of the Snake River Plain gives the wind plenty of room to build up speed.
What vinyl styles are available?
| Style | Typical use | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Solid privacy (5 to 6 ft) | Backyards, screening neighbors and busy streets | Highest wind load; ask about post stiffeners |
| Semi-privacy / lattice top | Backyards where some airflow is fine | Slightly less load, softer look |
| Picket (3 to 4 ft) | Front yards and gardens | Front-yard height is limited by city rules |
| Two- or three-rail ranch | Acreage frontage, driveways, horse areas | Not a containment fence for dogs without wire mesh |
How should vinyl be installed here?
- Posts below frost. The City of Idaho Falls uses a 30-inch frost depth for footings. Post holes for a fence should be planned with that in mind so posts don't heave.
- Reinforced posts. Aluminum or steel inserts, or concrete-filled posts, at gates, corners and on long exposed runs.
- Room to move. Vinyl expands in summer heat and shrinks in deep cold. Rails need a little play in the post routing so they don't pop out or crack.
- Gate frames. Vinyl gates should have a metal frame or insert. A hollow vinyl gate sags quickly.
- Quality material. Thicker profiles and UV-stabilized vinyl handle sun and cold better than thin, bargain panels.
Does vinyl crack in the cold?
Vinyl gets stiffer as the temperature drops, so a snowblower, a thrown ball or a hard kick in January can crack a panel that would have flexed in July. The good news is that damaged panels, rails and caps can usually be swapped one at a time if the style is still made. Keep a note of your fence manufacturer and color.
HOA approval
Many subdivisions in Idaho Falls, Ammon and Iona list approved fence colors, heights and styles in their covenants. Get the HOA's approval before you sign a contract, and give the contractor a copy of the rules.
What affects the price?
- Total length, height and style
- Number and width of gates
- Post reinforcement on exposed runs
- Removing an old fence and hauling it off
- Slopes, rocky digging and access to the yard
Every fence is priced after the contractor walks the line, checks the ground, counts gates and corners, and talks through what you want. We don't quote prices. A figure given over the phone before anyone has seen your lot is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Is vinyl a good choice for windy lots in Idaho Falls?
It can be, if it's installed for the wind: reinforced posts, solid footings and a metal-framed gate. Semi-privacy styles also cut down the load.
Can one broken vinyl panel be replaced?
Usually, yes, as long as the same style and color are still available. That's why it helps to know who made your fence.
Related services
More background: Idaho Falls fence guide.
Panels blown out by the wind, or a bare backyard waiting for a fence?
Call now and a local fence contractor will come look at the job and quote it directly.