Veranda™ Premium Fence Frequently Asked Questions
Product Characteristics
Installation
Care and Maintenance
Product Characteristics
What is Veranda Premium Composite Fence made of?
The individual pickets, backer rails and post sleeves are made of wood and plastic that is extruded. The pickets and backer rails are then fused together, resulting in a seamless bond with no unsightly nails or screws showing.
What colors and styles does Veranda Premium Composite Fence come in?
Veranda Premium Composite Fence is available in shades of cedar, redwood and Tuscan walnut. The pickets are embossed with a woodgrain finish on both sides. Our privacy-style panels come preassembled for ease of installation.
What size does Veranda Premium Composite Fence come in?
Veranda Premium Composite Fence is available as a 66-3/4” x 70” preassembled panel. The panels are designed to be installed with posts set at 6’ on-center at an installed height of 6’. Additional components include a 4”x4”-78” post sleeve with color-coordinating hardware kits and color-matched screws and several post cap options.
Are gates available?
Yes. Veranda Premium Composite Fence Gates are available in 46” and 58" widths. The gates are sold in kits containing the hinge and latch hardware required for installation.
Should I purchase all of my fencing material at one time?
Yes, purchasing all required fencing material at one time is recommended, as manufacturing runs can produce slightly different colors. Like most composites, individual Veranda pickets will have slight color variations from piece to piece. This is due to the natural variations in wood fibers and polymers. Color variation is not covered by warranty.
What is the benefit of using foamed composite fencing over solid composite fencing?
It is easier to work with a foamed product, because it is lighter in weight and more flexible than solid products.
Where can I buy Veranda Premium Composite Fence, and how much does it cost?
The Veranda Premium Composite Fence line is available at Home Depot stores throughout most of the contiguous United States (not yet available in Broward and Miami-Dade counties). For more information, use the store locator at the top of the page to find your nearest Home Depot store. It is competitively priced in comparison to premium grades of wood fencing and less than other high-end, alternative fencing materials.
What is the difference between Veranda Premium Composite Fence and wood?
Veranda Premium Composite Fence combines the look of wood with the durability of plastic. Unlike wood fences, which require costly upkeep, there is no need to apply weather protectants or water seal products to Veranda Premium Fence.
Why is composite fencing more expensive than treated wood?
Composite fencing is more expensive to manufacture. However, over time, the maintenance, repair and/or replacement costs associated with wood outweigh the initial investment in a Veranda Premium Composite Fence.
How should Veranda Premium Composite Fence be stored and handled?
You can store it the same way you would store any wood product.
Does Veranda Premium Composite Fence fade?
Yes, Veranda Premium Composite Fence will lighten over time to a beautiful, weathered tone within the same color family. This color-tone shift is dependent upon exposure to sunlight and other environmental factors. The weathering process begins upon installation and is generally complete within 60 to 90 days.
Will Veranda Premium Composite Fence rot, splinter or decay like wood?
No. Veranda has been tested under accelerated weather conditions and is weather resistant.
How do varying weather cycles affect Veranda Premium Composite Fence during installation?
Veranda performs well in varying weather conditions. During installation, it will contract only slightly in cold weather and expand in hot weather. We recommend that the material is on the job site 48 hours prior to installation to acclimate. Follow the spacing guidelines in the installation instructions to ensure proper room for expansion and contraction.
Will chlorine or other chemicals from a swimming pool damage Veranda Premium Composite Fence?
While no formal testing has been done, we have not seen or heard of any ill effects from standard pool chemicals.
Does Veranda Premium Composite Fence meet wind speed requirements?
Veranda Premium Composite Fence has been tested to ASTM Standard E330-02 (Procedure B) by an independent, third-party test laboratory to withstand a wind speed of 90 mph for Exposure C, calculated from ASCE7-2005 Section 6.5.14, when installed according to the manufacturer's installation instructions.
Does Veranda Premium Composite Fence come with a warranty?
Yes. It has a 20-year limited warranty against splintering, corrosion or becoming structurally unfit due to rot, split, warp, cupping, checks or damage caused by termites or fungal decay.
Installation
Do I need special tools to install Veranda Premium Composite Fence?
Conventional tools can be used with Veranda for cutting, drilling and nailing. We recommend using a sharp, carbide-tipped saw blade for cutting. For your safety, remember to wear protective clothing and safety glasses.
What type of fasteners and nails are recommended?
For ease of installation, we include all of the necessary brackets and screws needed for installation with the post sleeve. Only use the Veranda Premium Composite Fence brackets for installation. Their innovative design allows for the thermal movement of the panel. Failure to use the Veranda Premium Composite Fence brackets shall cause your warranty to be null and void.
Do you recommend pre-drilling when fastening?
Yes, we recommend pre-drilling. The best results for ease of fastening and appearance of the finished project are achieved by pre-drilling prior to driving screws.
What post spacing should I use for my fence when using Veranda Premium Composite Fence?
Veranda Premium Composite Fence is designed to be installed on posts spaced 6’ on-center. For more details, refer to the installation instructions.
Are matching posts available?
Yes. There is a matching post sleeve kit for a finished look to the fence system. The post sleeve is designed to slide over the top of a nominal 4x4 wood post and comes with the brackets and hardware used to attach the fence panel to the posts. Cedar or pressure-treated 4x4 posts provide the structural strength for the fence.
At what depth should I bury the wood fence posts?
The recommended post depth varies by region; consult your local building codes prior to construction. A general rule of thumb is to place 1/3 of the length of the wood post in the ground. Use a diameter of 10-12” for all postholes. We also suggest burying all wood gate posts, end posts and corner posts 6” deeper than the other posts, especially in areas with high wind or extreme weather.
Should all the wood posts be set in concrete?
We recommend that all wood posts be set in concrete in accordance with local conditions and standard building practices. Posts that are not set in concrete will eventually lean due to wind and weather.
Does Veranda Premium Composite Fence require gapping?
Yes. Veranda Premium Composite Fence must be gapped between the panel edges and posts to allow for expansion and contraction. Allow a 3/8” gap between the panel edge and post. The innovative fence bracket is designed with an expansion tab in the back that helps maintain the 3/8” gap and allows the panel to expand and contract with changes in temperature. This tab must not be hammered down. In addition, the screws on each side of the fence bracket that attach to the fence panel must be installed loosely, allowing the panel to “float” within the brackets. For more information, refer to the installation instructions.
How much space is recommended underneath the fence?
A clear, 2" space between the bottom edge of the fence panel and grade is recommended. This may need to be adjusted to allow for grading conditions at the site.
Care and Maintenance
How do I clean and maintain Veranda Premium Fence?
Periodic washing with soap and water is necessary to remove surface dirt and chalk which accumulate on the surface. This will also prevent the build up of pollen and debris that can cause mold and mildew growth. Pressure washers should be used for wetting and rinsing only and must be set at a low PSI. Pressure washers should not be used to “blast-off” soiling agents; attempting to do so can drive the dirt deeper into the material. Test on an inconspicuous area before washing the entire fence.
Basic Cleaning Agents:
- Deck wash/cleaners that usually contain sodium percarbonate and a detergent. Effective on normal dirt and grime and bleaches out mold and mildew stains.
- Oxalic acid cleaners are effective on rust stains.
- Commercial degreasers contain propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide and various detergents for removing grease and oil stains.
- Spot removers/thinners can be used sparingly on particularly stubborn grease or oil stains but should be washed off quickly with water, as it will attack the grain pattern. They normally include petroleum distillates, xylene, methanol, acetone or other organic solvents.
How do I repair Veranda Premium Fence if it gets scratched?
Just as wood fencing materials can get marred or gouged, the surface of Veranda can also be scratched. Practice caution when trimming grass with a string trimmer to avoid contact with the fence and posts. We recommend allowing normal wear marks to fade as they will blend in with the weathered color.
What do I do if my fence is bowing?
If a panel bows, loosen the screws attaching the panel to the brackets, and make sure you’ve left enough room for expansion and contraction.
Can Veranda Premium Fence be painted or stained?
While not recommended, Veranda can be stained after three months of exposure to various weather conditions. When staining Veranda, ensure that the stain is intended for use on composite wood products. By choosing to stain Veranda, a relatively low-maintenance product changes to one that will require more upkeep. Always test a small hidden portion of the fence before staining the entire fence. Painting Veranda is not recommended, as most paints will not adhere to the surface well and will rapidly begin to peel. Composite wood products do not accept paint or stain as well as wood; therefore, it will not have the same appearance as painted or stained wood.
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