Chain link fences are commonly used for security fencing and excellent for withstanding high winds. With their large gaps, the winds pass right through. They are also very strong, so they are less likely to sag or become fragile.
A typical steel or aluminum fence allows wind to blow right through it, with little damage to the fence. These fences offer classic beauty and great endurance in a windstorm. But they offer little in terms of privacy. Steel and aluminum fences work best as decorative and security fences.
Vinyl Fences
Like other privacy fences, a vinyl fence will take the brunt of the wind head-on. However, unlike wood vinyl has some 'give' which allows it to bend slightly without breaking or collapsing. Vinyl is typically cheaper than wood and is also more durable and low-maintenance.
Chain-Link Fences
A chain-link fence is one of the best types of fence for storms. Because wind passes through a chain-link fence effortlessly, it is easily the sturdiest fence in the face of a hurricane. They are also one of the cheaper fencing options on the market.
Reinforce Fences
Use reinforcements for vinyl, composite, and other fences. If you live in an area with high wind warnings, consider reinforcing your posts with wood, metal, or concrete. We provide unique fencing options as each post is dug deeply into the ground and secured with concrete.
Home hardening
Installing heavy-duty doors, window shutters, and caulking around windows and doors can help reduce damage. Be sure to trim trees and be mindful of outdoor objects that can cause damage during a severe wind storm.
For strong fences you need strong posts with good foundations. Concrete posts are the best choice, timber posts can become misaligned in strong winds. However deep-set concrete foundations will make timber posts stronger and provide protection from rot.
The most hurricane-resistant fences use schedule 40 steel posts set 36 inches deep and no more than 7 feet apart. All connections are wood screwed or use ring shank nails. The most popular backyard fences for residential homes are actually among the most vulnerable to high winds: wood fences with vertical planks.
Our commercial grade vinyl privacy fence wind certified up to 130 MPH and considered to be the strongest vinyl privacy fence manufactured. This video shows how our heavy duty Rainier vinyl privacy fence stands up to a 130 MPH wind certification test.
All-Weather-Resistant
Excess moisture is no match for a vinyl fence. Neither is golf ball-sized hail, slushy snow, or fast-falling sleet. Unlike its wood, iron, and chainlink counterparts, vinyl is nearly impervious to every element that winter can bring. As a homeowner, this gives you incredible peace of mind.
Vinyl is also very flexible. So when there are high, damaging winds the fence can bend and sway without breaking. Seaside properties and very wet landscapes are great places for this type of fence as well. Vinyl also serves very well for fencing in animals like horses, who tend to chew into the fences surrounding them.
Even a high-quality, well-maintained wood fence will likely not outlive a vinyl fence. Vinyl fences can last decades with proper care. Without maintenance, a wood fence may last only five years. With excellent upkeep, wood fences will last about 15 to 20 years.
Windproof fence panels that let the wind pass through. It is known that the best fence panels for windy areas are the ones that let the winds pass through. This means that the fence panels need to have gaps left between the boards, in order to release the wind pressure from the panels.
Installing storm shutters over all exposed windows and other glass surfaces is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your home. You should cover all windows, French doors, sliding glass doors, and skylights. There are many types of manufactured storm shutters available.
For South Florida & Central Florida homes, PVC or vinyl fences are oftentimes the best solution to many problems, first and foremost privacy and security, but also, as a resilient barrier in the face of extreme Florida weather patterns such as tropical storms or even hurricanes.
A windbreak (also called a wind fence or wind shelter) can reduce windspeeds by over 50% of the incoming windspeed over large areas, and over 80% over localized areas.
Implement the following weatherproofing tips to keep your fence in place and free of damage. Apply Sealant: The number one strategy used to protect a wood fence against damage is to apply sealant. A silicone or acrylic sealant protects the fence against extreme temperatures, UV rays, and water damage.
Tropical storm and hurricane-force winds that clock in above the 70 mph mark have the power to destroy roofs and topple power lines.
There are certain architectural features that can help your home survive a hurricane and other extreme weather conditions. Round houses or properties with square structures reduce the wind pressure on any one side, while a 30-degree roof slope offers the best wind deflection.
Building a Wood- or Steel-Frame Home to Resist 100 mph Winds
According to a report by FEMA, new wood-frame houses constructed according to building codes perform well structurally, in winds up to 150 mph, while a steel homes can withstand winds up to 170 mph.
A wind fence slows the wind in one place by deflecting it to another. The best windbreaks produce a zone behind the windbreak which will have wind of about a quarter of the speed. For a 50ft (15.24m) high windbreak this zone will extend about 250ft (76m) downwind.
Cons of Cedar Fences
Cedar also scratches more easily than most woods, so marking on cedar fencing may be difficult to remove with sanding or refinishing. Continual exposure to sunlight will cause cedar fence panels to fade. Cedar needs to be treated with a clear, protective finish on the fence panels.