What is a wood-polymer composite, its properties, advantages and disadvantages. The choice of materials for the installation of the fence, the technology of installation of the WPC fence. A WPC fence is a composite fence in the form of boards that combines the best qualities of synthetic and wood products. A long-lasting hedge with an attractive appearance and unique properties, it is very popular with private home owners. We will talk about the nuances of building a structure of this type in this article.
Features of a fence made of wood-polymer composite
Wood-polymer composite (WPC) is made from natural sawdust with the addition of polymer construction filler. Some manufacturers add straw or flax. To obtain special properties, stabilizers, fire retardants, etc. are introduced into the composition. In fact, this is natural wood, only more durable thanks to synthetic inclusions.
The properties of the material depend on the percentage of natural components, which can be 50-80 percent. An equal content of polymers and wood is considered optimal. The more synthetic components, the more the material resembles plastic. If there is too much sawdust, then the material will resemble MDF in structure and properties.
For the construction of the fence, it is recommended to use lightweight WPC fence boards. Other types are heavier, require reinforcement of supports and are expensive, but they can also be used for the construction of fences.
The design of a WPC fence does not differ from similar structures - the boards are attached vertically or horizontally to supports or longitudinal beams. Outwardly, the fence is very difficult to distinguish from wooden buildings; it looks prestigious and expensive.
With the help of WPC, they enclose summer cottages, mansions, playgrounds, distinguishing them favorably among similar buildings. They are also installed in cases where a solid massive fence is not required. For example, inside a suburban or cottage village.
WPC boards with any type of pattern and surface treatment are suitable for fences. The following patterns are popular among users:
- Brushing - one side is treated with special brushes, resulting in a rough surface.
- Embossing - the image is applied using a press.
- Embrassing - the drawing is created mechanically.
- KDP fence boards are often produced curly.
Products are sold section by section or disassembled. In most cases, the boards at the ends have special ribs and grooves that facilitate and speed up the installation of the fence.
All WPC fences are divided into 2 types: monolithic, sections of which are made solid, and openwork, made in the form of lattices or with slotted decor. The first option is used to protect the territory from prying eyes, snow, wind, etc. and ensures confidentiality. Often this is a capital high structure of a simple design. But if desired, it can be made aesthetically pleasing. The second option is more presentable. Openwork structures are built to decorate a front garden or gazebo, usually light and low.
The most popular are the following types of fences made of wood-polymer composite:
- Classical … The boards are fastened to the longitudinal beams vertically at a sufficiently large distance.
- Deaf … Elements are placed horizontally. Due to the presence of special ridges and grooves, the fence is rigid and does not require an internal frame.
- Chess … The boards are attached to the horizontal lines on both sides. This design closes the area from prying eyes and lets in fresh air.
- Network … To create a structure, you will need very narrow samples. They are intertwined to create a decorative mesh.
- Country … Two boards are fixed to the support profiles. In the resulting rectangle, two more strips are placed crosswise. The partition looks very nice next to wooden buildings.
- Katri + … 4 or more elements intersect in a rectangle.
- Fence … Narrow boards are located at a short distance from each other. The ends are flat, without grooves. Planks can be located on one or both sides of the fence.
The method of installing the fence depends on many factors - the size of the fence, the type of soil, the weight of the workpieces, etc. The concreting of pillars is considered a universal fixing method. Often, a foundation is poured under the hedge and the racks are screwed to it with anchor bolts.
Advantages and disadvantages of a WPC fence
The boards made using a special technology have unique properties. Users highlight the following advantages of the fence:
- The fence does not emit fumes harmful to humans. There are no lead additions in its composition.
- No foundation is required for construction, but a foundation is often made as decoration.
- It is not subject to decay, does not grow moldy.
- The fence has an extended service life - up to 20 years.
- The hedge tolerates temperature fluctuations well and retains its properties in frost and heat. It does not dry out, does not crack.
- The material does not fade in the sun, is not afraid of moisture. The fence does not require painting. Small scratches are masked with a pencil.
- The product does not burn.
- The fence has sound insulating properties.
- Installation is easy, no construction experience is required.
- There is a large selection of boards on the market. You can buy products in various colors, textures and sizes.
- To remove dirt, it is enough to rinse the fence with water from a hose.
- The material is well processed. He is sawed, planed, nailed.
Such designs have several disadvantages:
- The boards are scratched with sharp objects. They can be damaged by applying mechanical stress.
- The material changes its dimensions with changes in humidity and temperature, which can lead to deformation of individual elements.
- WPC fences are more expensive than wood or metal fences.
- Hollow boards must be closed from the ends with plugs so that insects do not get into them.
WPC fence installation technology
Installation of WPC fences is carried out in several stages, which are performed in a specific sequence. The operating procedure is shown below.
Fence installation materials and tools
The choice of elements for the fence depends on its functional purpose. The basic requirements for blanks are given below.
On the construction market, several types of WPC boards are sold, which are designed for various operating conditions. In order to choose the right blanks, we recommend paying attention to the following points:
- WPC products have different densities and are able to withstand heavy loads. For fencing, it is recommended to buy low density or hollow WPC fence boards. The rest are more expensive.
- Choose products with special ridges and grooves for docking with each other. In this case, the installation time will be reduced to a minimum.
- If the workpieces are installed horizontally, an internal frame is not required, they are attached directly to the supports.
When buying, pay attention to product labeling. It must match the appearance of the product. The sample of marking is WPC I-DZ-4-AB-BT brown.
Let's decipher the designation:
- And - finished products from WPC.
- D3 - in total there are four types of boards (D1, D2, DZ, D4) and one type of lags (L1).
- 4 - the length of the board in meters.
- AB - type of processing of side A, "B" means - without processing.
- BT - type of processing of side B, "T" means embossing. The letter "W" may be present - grinding.
- At the end of the alphanumeric designation, the color is indicated - brown.
Supports of various designs are used to hold the fence. Many factors affect the choice of racks, but the main one is the bearing capacity. Typically, the fence is supplied with posts 120x120 mm, capable of withstanding significant loads. Instead, pipes with a diameter of at least 90 mm and a wall thickness of 3 mm or rectangular profiles are used. Pipes must be coated with anti-corrosion coating.
The length of the supports is determined from the calculation of the underground and aboveground parts. It is necessary to dig 1/3 of the pipe length into the ground. For example, with a fence height of 2 m, the pipe height will be 2.7 m. If the fence is not high, you can use screw piles that are screwed into the ground.
Determination of the number of racks is made depending on the distance between them. The maximum step is 3 m, the minimum is 0, 5. When calculating, take into account the dimensions of the wicket and gate.
Horizontal and auxiliary elements are beams made of WPC or metal profiles, which are fixed between the posts. Distinguish between horizontal "railing" and "balusters". The first samples are designed to increase the rigidity of the fence and to fix the boards. They are often reinforced with reinforcement. Usually sold in standard lengths, but any size can be ordered. They have a cross section of 90x45 mm.
Balusters are made with a section of 50x50 mm. With their help, additional stiffeners are created in the horizontal and vertical planes. Often installed vertically between supports located far from each other.
In addition to the main elements, the kit includes parts that have a decorative purpose or perform protective functions:
- Support profiles … Used for fixing boards. They are put on pillars and are decorative. The main boards or horizontal beams are fixed to them.
- Caps or plugs for supports … They are mounted on poles and finish off the top of the product. The details not only decorate the structure, but also cover the cavities of the racks from atmospheric precipitation.
- Framing … Used when placing boards horizontally. Attaches to the top board.
- Bolts, screws, corners … Similar and other elements are necessary to fix the elements of the fence.
For a quick and high-quality assembly of a WPC fence with your own hands, you will need the following tools:
- Drill - for making holes for bolt connections.
- Welding machine - needed if the horizontal beams will be welded to the supports.
- Screwdriver - for screwing in self-tapping screws.
- Roulette, plumb line - for placing fence elements in the vertical and horizontal plane.
- A shovel or drill - for making holes for supports. If the soil is hard or stony, use an electric or gas auger.
- Concrete mixer - for preparing concrete.
Installation of supports for a fence made of wood-polymer composite
WPC boards are quite heavy, so the posts should be fastened securely. The most common options for fixing the racks are:
- Concreting in the ground is considered an economical and fast way.
- Making a foundation with brick or stone pillars. The design has a beautiful appearance and is capable of withstanding heavy loads, but requires additional investment.
Let's consider each case in detail.
Concreting of the supports is carried out in the following sequence:
- Clear vegetation from the strip under the fence. Align the surface in one plane.
- Mark the fence, indicating the location of the gate and wicket. Drive pegs into the corners of the fence.
- Pull the cord between the marks and secure.
- Determine the position of the posts. They should be at the same distance from each other with a step of 2-2, 5 m. Select the openings so that after cutting the boards there is a minimum of waste.
- Using the marks, dig holes 1/3 of the height of the pillar plus a depression on a sand and gravel pad.
- Pour sand and gravel on the bottom of the holes with a layer of 10-15 cm and tamp everything thoroughly.
- If the posts are metal, cover them with an anti-corrosion primer.
- Install the supports in the corner holes, set them vertically.
- Prepare a standard concrete grout and fill the racks. After filling the pits, pierce it several times with fittings so that excess air comes out.
- Pull the cord over the posts, set it horizontally and secure. It will serve as a base for vertical pillars.
- Secure the rest of the pipes in the same way. Further work can be continued after the solution has solidified.
The construction of the foundation and brick pillars will take a long time, but the fence will turn out to be beautiful and reliable.
Perform the work in the following sequence:
- Level the surface under the fence as in the previous case.
- Dig a hole around the perimeter of the fence 40-50 cm deep and 60-70 cm wide.
- Assemble the formwork for the foundation 25-30 cm wide in the pit.
- Weld a foundation mesh from a bar and place it in the ditch. Reinforcement is necessary due to the heavy weight of the brick wall.
- In places where the pillars are erected, also weld the rods. At a height of 20-30 cm and 150-160 cm from the foundation, weld the embedded sheets to the rods, to which the horizontal lines will be attached.
- Prepare concrete and fill the hole. Build pillars out of bricks, laying them around the rods. After the solution has solidified, you can proceed to the installation of the remaining elements of the fence.
Fastening horizontal beams and boards
The beams are fastened in two ways - bolted and welded. The first option is usually used if the products come with a section and are made of WPC. For this, holes are made in the supports and horizontals in place, into which the bolts are installed.
The second option is used when using standard metal profiles. In this case, you need to know how to handle the welding.
During fastening, periodically check the position of the working surfaces of the contour lines, which should be located in the same vertical plane.
Filling the space between the posts starts from the goal. Individual elements are fixed with bolts, special brackets or clamps - it all depends on the fasteners supplied in the kit. After fixing all the elements, the fence is decorated with decorative special elements.
How to make a fence from WPC - watch the video:
Manufacturers offer users a simple design that allows them to assemble a WPC fence with their own hands. But to make the building look presentable, you need to make the most of your efforts and care.
