I like the look of a decorative white wood fence and I hear one can be an energy-saving windbreak, but I do NOT want to paint fences. Vinyl fencing looks identical to freshly painted wood fencing and much better than wood fencing that needs to be painted. The only maintenance for vinyl is to occasionally spray it off with a hose. Often a heavy rain every month or two is enough to keep it clean and looking new. Vinyl fencing, like ones from Kroy Building Products or Genova Products, is made with PVC in a somewhat similar process to making plastic drain pipe.
Most manufacturers offer several colors in addition to white.
The color goes completely through the material so scratches are not apparent. A typical four or five-foot high picket or rail fence will disrupt the direct force of strong cold winter winds. In the summer, the gentle breezes tend to pass through. Another advantage of any type fence is security. Even if a fence is easy to climb over, thieves tend to avoid houses with fences.