FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Azek Fence Rails

DonCanDo | Posted in Construction Techniques on August 7, 2008 03:49am

I want to replace some 1X6 pine fence rails with Azek (or similar), but I’m not sure that PVC trim has enough rigidity to span the 8′ between posts.

The rails just fit into a mortise in the posts.  I’m sure that I’ll be able to flex them enough to install them, but I’m sort of imagining them bowing over time.

What do you think?

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. vintage1 | Aug 07, 2008 04:10am | #1

    1x6 azek over an 8' span? Azek will tell you that you cannot do that, it will sag way too much.

  2. Pelipeth | Aug 07, 2008 01:19pm | #2

    I too don't feel you could use Azek as a rail component, but I've had wonderful success in the use of it for the pickets (read NEVER have to paint).

    1. DonCanDo | Aug 07, 2008 01:24pm | #3

      Thanks.  Pretty much what I suspected.

      Any ideas on what I might be able to use that would be maintenance-free?

      1. User avater
        Sphere | Aug 07, 2008 05:21pm | #4

        You mean truly maintence free? I don't know if that exists for that type of fence..I see a lot more vinyl fencing going up here, but it's a hollow extrusion (like a box section) into a hollow post.

        Seems to me that a 1x6 or similar would be woogedly in the in/out plane..and sagging somewhat. Maybe 5/4 Trex?

        Then it boils down to what are ya fencing in or out? Goats? Horses? Beefalo?...we got a farm down the road with Buffalo, and the fence is Hiway Guardrail..and they still bash that into ribbons when it storms big.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

        Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

        You gonna play that thing?

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32Ln-SpJsy0

        1. DonCanDo | Aug 10, 2008 02:44am | #9

          As I was out and about today, I was looking at fences in the style of the one that my customer has.  They were all either the PVC extrusions that you mentioned or 1X6 painted pine.

          I've given up on the idea of Azek and I think the PVC fences look rather cheap.  So I'll be sticking with wood.  Painting and scraping the stuff that's worth keeping and replacing any boards that are too far gone.

          The irony is that the cost to the customer will be greater to repair and re-paint the existing than it would have been to replace it all with Azek.

          Thanks for the help.

          1. berferdt | Aug 10, 2008 06:35am | #10

            As Pelipeth replied, stain is the thing to use for fencing. No scraping, easy to apply and reapply. Moderate priced white pigmented is better looking after a winter than hi $$ paint.

          2. DonCanDo | Aug 10, 2008 02:34pm | #11

            Thanks, I'm aware of that, but this fence already has a coat of paint that's mostly not peeling.  I think I need to stick with what's there.

      2. Pelipeth | Aug 08, 2008 03:00am | #7

        Not really. Did a repair on a picket fence, some rails were shot so I replaced them with 2x3 PT, 2x4 ripped to width. Have had good luck with Cabots #1812 white stain, covers really well.

  3. User avater
    Timuhler | Aug 07, 2008 05:31pm | #5

    Trex has some new fencing products.  Go to their website and take a look.  Last I checked it wasn't available yet, but it might be now.

    1. DonCanDo | Aug 08, 2008 02:51am | #6

      It's just a decorative fence like this one:

      View Image

      I found this on another forum.  The poster said it was PVC and that it was holding up fine.  I can't tell if that's an 8' span, but it's close.

      Trex does have some fencing, but I guess I'm not really looking for fencing.  I'm looking for white, maintenance-free 1X6.

      1. User avater
        Sphere | Aug 08, 2008 03:03am | #8

        Thats what I was referring to right there. I have seen some sagging on really hot days here, and from what I can tell, most of it is decorative, and not holding in horses.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

        Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

        You gonna play that thing?

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32Ln-SpJsy0

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools

From building boxes and fitting face frames to installing doors and drawers, these techniques could be used for lots of cabinet projects.

Featured Video

Micro-Adjust Deck-Baluster Spacing for an Eye-Deceiving Layout

No math, no measuring—just a simple jig made from an elastic band is all you need to lay out a good-looking deck railing.

Related Stories

  • Guest Suite With a Garden House
  • Podcast Episode 688: Obstructed Ridge Vent, Buying Fixer-Uppers, and Flashing Ledgers
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Finding the Right Fixer-Upper
  • Keeping It Cottage-Sized

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data