Frequently Asked Questions
questions & answers
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With the superior protection capabilities of our DUPONT non-chalking TiO2, DFS Vinyl Product™ is chalk resistant. All vinyl fencing will chalk sooner or later, but with the superior protection capabilities of TiO2 this will be kept to a bare minimum. Chalking is the deterioration of the vinyl surface which exposes the TiO2 particles to the surface. The white powder can be wiped off from the surface for exceptional beauty over a full lifetime. Not all vinyl products contain enough or any TiO2. An example of this “more affordable” product is a dark green lawn chair which turns very faded light green, goes soft and droopy, this is a good example.
Vinyl becomes less flexible in colder weather conditions. However, unless subjected to unusual impact, it will not break or crack. Our components are designed to accommodate temperature swings. The impact inhibitors we use to prevent breaking, and also helps the components withstand cold weather conditions. Any product will break when enough force is applied. However, all of our PVC profiles are formulated using only the highest quality impact modifiers in precisely engineered amounts to ensure the greatest impact resistance available. Not all vinyl fencing contains impact modifiers. They are essential for long term performance of the product but they do cost money. One easy way to offer a “more affordable” product is to cut back on the amount of “expensive” impact modifiers included within the product.
DFS Vinyl Product™ uses a superior durable grade and high content (10 parts per 100 parts) of non-chalking TiO2 (titanium dioxide) and a UV inhibitor that protects the fence from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays. As long as your fence is kept clean, with a periodic wash from a garden hose, it will not turn yellow.
NO. Impact modifiers, although essential for long term performance of the product, cost money. One easy way to sell a “more affordable” vinyl fence is to cut back on the amount of the costly impact modifiers included within the product.
DFS Vinyl Product™ and railing are engineered to withstand surface cracking, chipping, peeling and rot for their full service life. Our fence products come with a limited lifetime warranty.
DFS Vinyl Product™ will contract and expand according to the temperature. This is normal and expected. The contractor/installer will allow for expansion and contraction during the installation process.
DFS Vinyl Products™ are designed to withstand normal wind loads. The amount of load is dependent on the style of fence and proper installation.
DFS Vinyl Products™ has a Limited Lifetime Warranty that is not prorated and is fully transferable. For more details, visit our warranty section.
The initial cost of a vinyl fence when compared to wood is slightly higher for the material costs. However with the ever-increasing cost of wood this difference is becoming very minor. Vinyl’s long-term, low maintenance and durability more than makes up for that cost difference. When all the varied cost factors are taken into account over the life of your fence, vinyl becomes the best investment. No splinters, no tree sap, no inconsistencies, no knot holes, no slivers or nails. Unlike wood, our quality PVC products keep their good looks year after year with just an occasional rinse with a garden hose. That’s the real beauty. Imagine the freedom of an almost maintenance-free fence. No painting, no treating, no sealing… just sit and enjoying.
DFS Vinyl Products™ has a Limited Lifetime Warranty that is not prorated and is fully transferable. Detailed warranty information is available in the warranty section of the website.
DFS Vinyl Product™ is used everywhere–townhouse communities, golf courses, ranches, farms, parking lots, gardens, yards and many other residential, commercial and industrial applications.
Unlike some treated wood fencing, vinyl is an environmentally safe material with no toxins to pollute the sky or seep into the ground. Vinyl fencing has a smooth non-porous surface with no nails, sharp edges or splinters. Your children and animals are actually safer when compared to wood fences. Our PVC products are lead free. They will not breakdown and release harmful chemicals into the ground and do not require toxic chemicals (stains, waterproofing, paint, paint thinner) for regular upkeep like treated lumber can. No trees are used in the manufacture of PVC. Because of the exceptional long life of PVC, several times the amount of wood that is needed to manufacture the same fence in wood can be saved over the lifetime of the fence. If the vinyl ever needs to be taken down it can be recycled into other products.
Most paint, including graffiti, can be removed from vinyl fencing with a little elbow grease using ordinary detergent and water. In some cases, you may need to use a pressure washer, and for really tough cases, you may need a paint thinner or dry cleaning fluid. If some spots still resist these methods and cleaners, you can use 400 grit sandpaper to remove them.
Under normal circumstances a simple rinse with a garden hose will be sufficient. For more stubborn stains however, a cleaner containing a mild cleaning solution is recommended. See Care & Maintenance section on website for more details.
Our posts come routered and the components are pre-cut for standard installation. Rails are inserted into the routed holes in the posts. The heavier wall post and rail configuration, along with the notched rails and Top Rail Tie, contribute to greater resistance to rail pull-out and stronger fastening for better performance. Our full height fences use a post and collar style of installation. Installation of the shorter fences the PVC posts are cemented into the ground. Post caps are attached after the fence is installed. See the Installation section for more details. Fences are best installed at least 2″ above ground level to reduce the effect of frost heaves.
All of our vinyl products are engineered to retain their beauty and good looks throughout their lifetime. The only reason to use paints on our vinyl products would be to change the color of the product. Talk with your contractor if a different colour is required. While we do not recommend painting, there are paints that are available for PVC. Painting or treating the product does void the lifetime warranty.
Yes. Gates can be made to match all styles of DFS Vinyl Products™. Standard sizes are available but we can always do custom orders to fit your needs.
Crude Oil, Natural Gas and Salt are the main raw materials used in the production of Poly Vinyl Chloride. PVC resin is the main ingredient in a vinyl fence profile compound. Resin manufacturers offer multiple grades designed for different applications. DFS Vinyl Products™ uses only high quality resin manufactured. To create a product that has aesthetic appeal, impact resistance and long term weatherability, controlled quantities of specialized components are added. DFS Vinyl Products™ closely monitors the supply of additives used ensuring extruded product integrity and performance.
TiO2 (Titanium Dioxide), UV inhibitors and impact modifiers are all expensive additives used in our vinyl products. Some more “economical” manufacturers use a chalking grade of TiO2. DFS Vinyl Products™ only uses the more expensive non-chalking grade of Titanium Dioxide. This guarantees your fence will retain its lustrous look.
Ask whether the manufacturer uses co-extrusion (bonding two layers) or mono-extrusion (one-layer). Although co-extrusion does not exclude high quality, mono-extruders are likely to make a longer lasting fence. DFS Vinyl Products™ are manufactured using mono-extrusion which ensures you high quality additives throughout the entire PVC thickness and not limited to a single layer. We use 100% virgin vinyl for our products.
Mono-extrusion: A single extruder is used to form the desired shape, and the characteristics are uniformly dispersed throughout the overall thickness of the profile. Using Mono-extrusion eliminates the use of recycled material and layering seen in co-extrusion. Mono-extrusion allows for all the additives to be throughout the entire thickness of the PVC and not limited to a specific layer.
Co-Extrusion: Co-Extrusion uses two layers of PVC, the Cap-Stock, and the Substrate Layer. The cap stock is limited to UV protection and the substrate layer has the impact modifiers. There is a distinct line that can be seen showing the two layers. Typically the inner layer will be a darker colour because of the different material used in the layering of the PVC.