Fence
Depot is proud to bring you Merchants Metals's Premium vinyl materials!
Quality
Appearance
Safety
Performance
Installation
Ownership
Glossary
of Fence Terminology
Quality
What
is Merchants Metals Vinyl made of?
Merchants Metals’s exclusive vinyl is formulated from raw materials including polyvinyl
chloride (PVC), UV inhibitors and impact modifiers. Merchants Metals uses only premium
ingredients to insure superior performance.
How
is Merchants Metals Vinyl manufactured?
Merchants Metals’s products are manufactured using a state-of-the-art process called
co extrusion, which concentrates UV inhibitors on the exterior layer where they
can combat the sun's harmful rays.
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Appearance
What
are the available colors?
Merchants Metals’s products are manufactured in 2 colors: white and tan. Other colors
may be available through special order.
Do
I have to use the post caps shown in your photos?
No. There are 4 different caps available, so you can choose a specific style or
mix and match as you like.
Does
the vinyl fence material look like wood?
Stylistically, our vinyl resembles standard wood profiles, but it does not have
a wood grain finish.
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Safety
Is
vinyl safe and durable for everyday use?
Yes! Fence-depot.com cares about its customers. We have selected Merchants Metals’s
products because they are safe, even for the youngest members of your family.
All of our vinyl has a smooth surface. There are no nails, sharp edges, or splinters.
Not only do our products hold up to regular property maintenance, but they're
also made to bounce back on impact because they're reinforced with steel or aluminum
inserts. It is wise, however, to be careful when using mowers, trimmers, or clippers
along your fence line.
Does
the line of Merchants Metals products meet safety and building codes?
Most of our products meet or exceed local, state and national building codes.
We recommend that you contact your local area building department to verify your
particular codes due to the fact that building codes tend to vary from region
to region.
Is
Merchants Metals Vinyl environmentally safe? Does it contain lead?
Merchants Metals’s products are safe and non-toxic. They do not contain lead
or require the heavy metals and dangerous chemicals needed to treat and maintain
wood. All of Merchants Metals’s products are environmentally safe, and because lumber
isn't used, trees are left standing. There aren't any chemicals used that might
contaminate your yard, and our vinyl doesn't break down when exposed to soil,
groundwater or the elements of nature.
Is
Merchants Metals fence material safe for horses?
Yes. Merchants Metals’s smooth vinyl surface discourages horses from chewing, leaning
and rubbing against the fence to scratch themselves.
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Performance
Is
it strong?
Fence-Depot.com
is proud to bring you Merchants Metals’s vinyl products which have 5 times the tensile
strength and 4 times the flexibility of wood. Merchants Metals has improved it’s
performance by making it’s systems even sturdier by adding cross-braces in
gates, reinforced ribs in rails, and has increased the stability of it’s
railing system with maintenance-free metal inserts.
Is
it heavy?
No.
Merchants Metals’s vinyl weighs only about 1.1 pounds per linear foot, which is
much lighter than the typical wood used in home projects. Vinyl is proven to be
stronger, last longer and is easier to work with than wood. That lightweight,
highly durable performance is particularly useful in deck projects, where the
benefits are passed on to both builders and owners.
Will
it burn?
This
premium vinyl has a high flash point of 900°F, so it doesn't ignite easily.
If fire is held to it, it will burn. But as soon as the flame is removed, the
vinyl will self-extinguish.
Will
it turn yellow?
No. Yellowing in vinyl products is due to the sun's ultraviolet rays. Merchants Metals’s
products contain an industry leading 10 parts per 100 of titanium dioxide (TiO2),
which is an extremely effective UV inhibitor. This amount of TiO2 is more than
enough to prevent breakdown from the sun's ultraviolet rays.
Will
it crack?
All
materials expand and contract with hot and cold temperatures. But impact modifiers
act as an added safety measure, adding flexibility to our vinyl so that it'll
give instead of crack or splinter like wood. Our products are designed to operate
under normal home or horse owner conditions, and will only crack under extreme
circumstances.
How
can it be cleaned?
All of our Merchants Metals fence, deck, railing systems, and garden accessories are
designed to be maintenance-free, and usually only require the occasional rinse
with a garden hose. If more serious cleaning is necessary, a soft bristled brush
with detergent or even a mild bleach solution will do the trick. Cleaning products
should always be tested on a hidden section of your product before using on exposed
areas.
Will
it mildew?
Merchants Metals
vinyl has a smooth, non-porous surface, which makes it difficult for mildew to
grow. If conditions are humid enough, mildew can appear. If it does, it can be
easily removed with water and/or a mild bleach solution.
Can
I paint it?
Yes.
Epoxy-based paint is the only paint that will adhere properly to a vinyl surface,
but it also damages the surface and therefore voids the Merchants Metals lifetime warranty,
so we don't recommend it. Merchants Metals’s products are designed to look like
they're always freshly painted, so the only reason to paint them would be to change
color.
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Installation
How
is a Merchants Metals fence installed?
Basically, Merchants Metals’s fences are installed just like wood fences. Most components
are precut and routed from the factory. First, posts are secured to the ground
with concrete footings. Then rails are inserted into posts and finally pickets
into rails. A properly installed Merchants Metals fence is a strong, durable, lifetime
fence. The fence professionals at fence-depot.com are always available to assist
you with any other questions which you might have. We only sell products which
have proven themselves in field tested situations. We have professional technicians
on hand to assist you.
Ownership
Do
Merchants Metals products come with a warranty?
Yes, a lifetime warranty.
Is
Merchants Metals Vinyl more expensive than wood?
Initially, vinyl products cost more than wood (unless you're buying premium wood,
then they're about the same cost). When you consider the costs incurred in regular
staining, painting, or maintenance of a wood fence system, vinyl is the most sensible
and economical purchase. It is a one time investment that will perform for a lifetime!
Vinyl products have never been a more attractive purchase. The knowledgeable folks
at fence-depot.com can give you a free estimate for material and installation
costs.
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Glossary
of Vinyl Fence Terminology
What
is Polyvinyl Chloride? (PVC)
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): PVC is the main component in the manufacturing process
of Merchants Metals products. There are many chemical forms of vinyl. Some formulations
are flexible. Others are termed "rigid." Merchants Metals Vinyl is formulated
out of this rigid dry-blend compound developed for high output extrusion. Merchants Metals’s
exclusive formula is blended for outdoor toughness and high quality
What
is Titanium Dioxide? (TiO2)
Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) is a chemical additive that acts as a sunscreen for Merchants Metals
Vinyl. Merchants Metals Vinyl contains 10 parts per 100 of TiO2. Because Merchants Metals Vinyl
is manufactured using CO extrusion, the majority of TiO2 is concentrated on the
outer layer where it is exposed to the sun. This ingredient is critical to the
longevity of Merchants Metals Vinyl Products.
What
are Impact modifiers?
Merchants Metals utilizes impact modifiers as an important ingredient for all of its
vinyl products. These impact modifiers add just enough flexibility to Merchants Metals’s
vinyl so that its fence systems will flex under most impacts. Many fence styles
are reinforced with rust resistant steel inserts to assure strength and stability.
Merchants Metals fences are designed to look like new, even after years of use.
What
is Coextrusion?
Co extrusion is the manufacturing process that Merchants Metals Vinyl Products uses to
molecularly bond the ingredients into two layers. These layers are fused through
extreme heat and pressure and cannot be physically separated. Co extrusion allows
Merchants Metals Vinyl Products to have the ability to control the placement of the majority
of the UV inhibitor TiO2 to the outside where it is exposed to the sun. Merchants Metals
is proud to be a coextruded manufacturer that uses only premium ingredients. When
you purchase a Merchants Metals system of any kind, you can have solace in knowing that
you have purchased the best vinyl system available on today’s market. These
vinyl systems won’t decay, blister, rust, or suffer from insect damage. Fence-depot.com
is proud to bring you the leader in today’s vinyl market.
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Please
feel free to call one of our knowledgeable technicians if you have additional
questions.
