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How to clean white vinyl fencing

Fence Cleaning and Maintenance

How To Clean Vinyl Fence:

Materials Needed:

* Water hose

* pail of soapy water or spray bottle of vinyl cleaning solution.

* Soft cloth rags

* Soft scrub brush (for tougher stains or dirt)

Level of Difficulty:

* 2 – Vinyl fencing is relatively easy to clean but can wish a tiny “elbow grease” or extra scrub for some tougher stains and dirty spots.

Recommended Time Frame for Cleaning a Vinyl Fence:

* For maximum results; you should clean your vinyl fence at least once every 3 – 6 months.

Cleaning:

A few reasons why you would need to clean your vinyl fence would be: dirt and/or grass from the ground accumulating on the fence due to cutting the grass, leaves or other debris after a storm and rarely; you will consideration a type of chalk build up make on parts of the vinyl fence. These reasons are not major and are in fact cleaned as explained below.

The majority of vinyl fences can be cleaned very in fact by just spraying the fence down with a water hose; however, if there are some tough stains that a water hose does not take care of, just follow the formula below and your fence will look brand new every time you clean it!

To get ready for cleaning a vinyl fence, you will want to conclude if you are going to use a pail of soapy water or a vinyl cleaning explication (can be purchased at your local hardware store) or a compound of both. If you are using a pail of soapy water, you will want to fill the pail with water to your desired estimate and mix an environmentally safe cleaning explication in the bucket. (Tip: If it is environmentally safe,… It is vinyl fence safe)

After you have your pail of soapy water, all you must do now is get your soft cloth rag wet via the water in the pail and wipe down the areas of the fence that need wiped down. If you are using a spray bottle of vinyl cleaning solution, just spray the areas of the fence that need cleaned and wipe with a dry soft cloth rag. When you are accomplished cleaning an area of the fence, rinse it off with a water hose and allow it to air dry….More at Fence Cleaning and Maintenance – Azek

Vinyl fence post caps are one of the most inexpensive ways to give that vinyl fence an updated look or sprucing up for a possible summer sale.  If you are like most who visit this site, you already have a vinyl fence surrounding your yard and you probably have spent a significant amount of money in building it.  Now you are either exploring possibilities of a different look to your posts or you may have the need to replace one or more of the caps from accidental damage.

Maybe you are just beginning the project of adding a vinyl fence to surround your property.  This is a great place to begin the planning phase of this project.  Below you will note some of the most important information for selecting the finishing touches to the job, the vinyl fence post caps.

So before you run out to the local fence company or big box improvement shop, consider these tips that will help you save money and time.

Know the size

Before you replace any of your vinyl fence post caps you need to know the correct size of the post holding them.  Most panels that you have installed will determine the post size.  3’ X 8’ and 4’ X 8’ panels are usually connected to a 4” X 4” post. Likewise the 6’ X 6’ panels have a 5” X 5” post used for them.

Usually if you know the fence post size you will not have any trouble in finding the correct size cap to do the job for you.  The caps will be marked “fits 4 X 4 post,” or “fits 5 X 5 post,” respectively and no other dimensions are needed.

Know the style

As with any product on the market, there are many styles for many different tastes.  Vinyl fence post caps are no different.  There are some more traditional styles pointed out below for your reference as well as even custom styles and functions.

• External pyramid- Most common type of cap that functions to force water running off of the top, protecting the actual post from damage or rot.
• Gothic- This statement of elegance is rendered in a spear or spade shape to sit atop each post.
• New England- A traditional style of post cap with a subtle hint of the pyramid but with more of a flat, plateau look.
• Ball top- A Very familiar look to unique vinyl fence post caps.
• Custom caps- From Horse head busts to more functional solar fence post caps providing ambient light to your fence area.

Know the price

Prices on vinyl fence post caps have a wide range of mark up for the PVC decorations.  Some quality online searching will get you the best price for the same product.

Take the Gothic style of vinyl fence post caps for example. Home depot offers them in a 4 pack is $40.  The same style and size compared online were found for as low as $4.50 each.  Saving $5.50 on each cap will without doubt afford you more fence post caps for your budget.

Vinyl privacy fences as we know add value to your property and your home. When decide to sell your home, a privacy fence is one of the most valuable selling points, which will afford you a premium to the asking price of the home. The design varieties give you plenty of options for creating a beautiful fence that will add to the curb appeal and overall value of the home and property.

Careful selections of the vinyl fence post caps are the finishing touch that will garner the most attention.  Do the job correctly the first time by knowing the right size, choosing a style and comparing the price that will give you the triple threat in completing this task for repairing or building a privacy fence.

Solar power has been a popular topic in the news over the last few years and I’m sure for years to come. Solar is one of those trendy topics that will eventually help us with power conservation and pollute the earth a little less while we gain our independence from the power grid.  Using solar fence post caps probably isn’t going to dramatically lessen our monthly utility bills but they do add an intriguing style to the fences and walkways of our homes.

What will these caps do for your landscape?

You will gain two benefits from using solar fence post caps on your privacy or decorative fencing. First, during the daylight hours the decorative options available will display a distinctive accent to the surroundings. And secondly, when night falls a magical light will materialize that casts an elusive glow downward producing a sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere of your home.

I stated there were two benefits but there is a third.  Lighting the surrounding fence line will also provide an added measure of security for your home as well.  It is documented that most burglars prefer to work in dark areas and using solar fence post caps aid in reducing the amount a dark area around your home.

How they work

In the sunlight, a small solar light panel is capturing the power from the sun which is charging an internal lithium ion battery.  This is included in almost all solar fence post caps on the market.  Then when the sun sets they automatically engage and emit a nice ambient glow for your surrounding fence, garden, or walkway.

Look for quality in the light portion of the cap

Solar fence post caps are sold in a variety of output and efficiency and they are usually commensurate with the cost and quality of the caps.  You will want solar caps that have a high brightness output. Find one that claims 10 to 13 times increase brightness than most others.

But more importantly superior charging is a key quality factor when choosing fence post caps as well as a resulting operating time of 8 to 10 hours of light from one solar charging day.  Of course this depends on what the current weather is producing.  Cloudy days aren’t going to charge the solar cells like a full sunny day would.  But you want a cap that has the capacity to provide as high of a prolonged illumination as possible.

Where are the best prices found?

While you can find many selections and styles of solar fence post caps at many local home improvement stores; be aware that there are sometimes large variances in cost of each cap. The best alternative is to shop at a reputable dealer online for quantity purchasing.

Take this example that we found comparing two copper solar fence post caps.  Both are designed to fit a 4 X 4 post.  They are different brands but similar in shape and quality but the price difference is significant.  The first is from Lowes , and the second comparison is found on Amazon.

Now the Amazon link is an affiliate link, so if you choose to buy from them; then we get a small commission.  The Lowes link is not affiliated with us.

Notice the substantial difference in price for a very similar product. That proves that shopping around online is the best method for maximizing your dollars.

Summing it all up

Solar fence post caps provide you with benefits that beautify, add radiance, and security to your current fence. They give us a moral sense of taking one step closer to becoming more energy independent. We have found that they fit over most wood, PVC, steel and aluminum posts through a range of selection types while shopping online is the most preferred option for purchasing.

Copper fence post caps are a popular choice of fence toppers for their weathered look after a period of time. If you like the tarnished results then these styles of fence post caps are for you. Once you have made the decision or are currently in the process of choosing copper as your cap design for your fence, there are a few important facts to consider before running out to your local improvement depot to purchase.

It is important to consider the styles, quality, costs and final look of the fence posts caps you choose before you jump into a choice that may not be what you had expected.  Here are some guiding points to help you along in your information gathering process.

Typical styles of copper caps

The most common kinds of copper fence post caps available are the pyramid, copper ball or globe, and a flat top or plateau style.  There are even some hybrid designs that incorporate solar fence post caps made from copper.  These tend to have a more ornate style about them.

Your choice of style depends greatly on personal preference and your budget considerations.  Obviously the solar models are more costly than the simpler styles like the pyramid and plateau type.  But your choice also doesn’t have to depend on cost, make sure that you consider these points regarding quality of the copper caps.

Quality of thickness is important

Most copper fence post caps are made of heavy-duty, 100% copper.  They will inherently have a rustic look to them, but also a high glossy finish when purchased.  Although, they should be dent free it is common to see some small dings on some products.

The most important consideration to be made when judging quality is the thickness of the copper itself.  Standard copper fence post caps sold at hardware and improvement stores are typically only .016 inches thick.  While comparing the ones sold online we found the normal thickness in pyramid and ball caps to be .031” and flat or plateau styles to average .027” in thickness.  This should indicate naturally that a thicker piece of copper will stand up to the elements and accidental damage better than the store bought pieces.

Cost comparing sources

Just comparing pyramid type of copper fence post caps we found that the Lowes pricing is almost $3.00 more than the average online shop.  While that doesn’t sound like a huge difference in price it will add up because you are most likely not going to just buy one cap.

From this example, if we purchased from an online store charging $8.00 per cap and the Lowes price is $12.00 we would save $3.00 per cap.  That would mean if we bought 20 caps from Lowes the cost would be $240 opposed to $160 from the online option.  That savings alone would afford the potential purchase of 10 more caps from the online store retailer.  The point of the matter is be price conscious when deciding where to purchase these caps.

The later appearance

The last thing you will want to consider when placing copper fence post caps on your fence or decking is what it will look like after a period of time exposed to the elements. When they are newly installed they will appear shiny because they are manufactured with a thin, clear coating designed to protect them before and during the installation, but as more exposure to the weather occurs the coating is broken down.  You can maintain the shine for longer periods by polishing with a cleaner or treating with a sealer.

Here is the scientific process of the breakdown.  Moist air tarnishes or oxidizes the copper as time goes by. The ultra-violet rays from the sun, pollution and other normal environmental weathering conditions are attributed to the process of this breakdown.

This natural conditioning of the copper fence posts results from an attack to the metal from airborne sulfur compounds that are acidic and progressively change the surface color of the cap.  Depending on your location and usual climate determines the end coloration.  These dependencies are determined by amounts of salt, moisture, and the amount and direction of sunlight exposure the cap takes on.

Copper fence post caps develop from its common salmon-like color through a series of umber browns and grays, until it reaches a bluish-green or grayish-green patina.  While they can vary in color from year to year after installation the will ultimately level out adjusting to the environment.

Summarizing these points

Copper fence post caps offer protection to your post from rotting and hiding unevenness as the first and foremost function.  Secondly, they offer your outdoor scenery a unique look with style and elegance.

Prior to rushing out to the hardware shop or big box retailer to fill your cart up with off the shelf pieces make sure to study the different styles and types available for your posts.  Also think about the quality that you require in comparison to the prices offered both online and off line.  And finally, is the end result after a few years of weathering the look that you want. If it is then copper fence post caps are the ideal way to finish off the fencing around your home or deck.

Metal fence post caps are an enduring and attractive accessory that aids to defining the appearance of any outdoor fence or deck. The installation of these types of finials marks a look that is hard to ignore and will sure to be the talk of your property.

Metal fence post caps are an investment in the lifespan of your fence, they help to protect wood posts from water damage, splintering, and weather rot.

Metal Styles

Preferred for their easy maintenance and wide design variety, metal fence post caps are one of the most popular choices to finish off the fence. Common rich color options include: Oil Rubbed Bronze, Dark Copper Vein, Titanium, Rust, and Real Patina.

Other styles offered included in the Precious Metals category are offered in Polished Copper, Polished Stainless, Polished Brass, Brushed Copper, Brushed Stainless, Pewter and Green Patina.

Installation

Installation of these decorative articles is a breeze with a little adhesive and complementing metal nail and screws that will weather in the same way and time as the cap itself.  But the most important idea to consider is the above style and color choice you make.  Sizing of the metal fence post caps are similar to most fence post caps, you only need to know the nominal and full size measurements before you purchase.

Cost Comparing

Obviously, metal fence post caps are a little more expensive than wood or solar fence post caps but that doesn’t mean that you should pay an exorbitant price for each topper.  Take the time to look around and compare what is offered online versus what can be purchased at the local fence shop or home improvement retailer.

Why Choose Metal Fence Post Caps

Pointed metal fence finials provide and added measure of security, which makes the fence harder to climb. Commonly the caps can be manufactured from the same material as the rest of the fence or another, ornate material such as copper.

There is nothing like the look fence post caps made from metal; in a variety of styles that range from classic unlit to customizable illumination; with lustrous, powder-coated and even hand-made finishes. The options for adding metal fence post caps are innumerable when considering the variety of styles, element resources, and costs available to you.