Question: Help Please!!! One of the larger fence companies here in Central Florida Installed my vinyl fence. Needless to say, a tree destroyed a few sections of my fence during Irma. I called several fence companies for estimates and was told by one company that the manufacturer no longer sold fence in Florida. One company said that is not true. The other company even suggested I needed to start over because 1 ½ x 5 ½ rail was the industry standard. The best I can tell my fence rails measure 1 3/4 thick x 5 ½ deep. What is going on? Kathy C.
Answer: First and foremost, great question. The 1 ¾” x 5 ½” is a distinct premium-grade Vinyl rail system produced by Homeland Vinyl Products who is a major extruder of PVC Fence, Deck, and Rail products which are widely distributed throughout North America. As a result, their manufacture and distribution footprints are massive, especially here in Florida.
There is a reason for that. Homeland Vinyl is an innovative and research-based company that understands the unique geographical challenges of the U.S. climate, region by region. As result, Homeland Vinyl has branded itself as an industry leader. They are responsible for vinyl breakthroughs and technologies such as the ACCU-Shield. They are endorsed as a Tier 1 manufacture by the Vinyl Manufacture Association and highly sought after by fence companies and distributors alike. Simply put: Were they go people grow.
So Why Are You Having Trouble Finding 1 ¾” x 5 ½” Vinyl Rail?
Bottom line, the company who install your fence and Homeland Vinyl Products parted ways after a multi-year relationship. This particular fence company/retailer sold to both homeowners and small fence contractors across the State of Florida. So chances are that vinyl fence you see while driving down the street is a Homeland Vinyl Fence.
This breakup, or what we in the industry call the shuffling of manufactures, has created a lot of incorrect information within our market. Regardless, it is business and there is nothing wrong with manufactures partnering with fence companies to bring fences to the market. These type of agreements do a great service in helping homeowners find cost-effective fencing solutions. The good news is these breakups create lots of new opportunities.
We did reach out to Homeland Vinyl Products at the American Fence Association National Conference in Phoenix Arizona. They have assured Custom Fence Orlando that Homeland Vinyl Products is absolutely committed to the Florida Market. So much so, they have already begun the process of opening another extrusion facility right here in Orlando. They are hopeful that extrusion plant should be up and operational by late this year.
We would like to thank Homeland Vinyl Products for sharing their distributor list and fence companies who carry and sell their products. So if you are a homeowner looking for a replacement 1 3/4″ x 5 1/2″ vinyl rail, a homeowner needing a vinyl fence, or a fence contractor needing materials, several distributors and fence companies are still selling Homeland Vinyl Product right here in Florida. See the list below:
Distributors: Person To Ask For: Location: Phone:
Orlando Steel Steve Lyons Summerfield and Ocala 352.347.8775
Merchant Metals Danny Gall Tampa, Jacksonville, Miami 813.980.0938
Paramount Fencing Kip Hudakoz Orlando Florida 407.341.2720
On a final note, several manufacture and extruders are starting to enter into the Florida marketplace. Heads up and word to the wise. Not, all vinyl is created equal, nor are manufacture who extrude vinyl. Understand, the process of extruding vinyl is technical and requires years and years of industry knowledge. As always, purchase responsibly. Make sure that the manufacturer is VMA certified. New extruders pop up every day. Few will last.
We hope this helps and now you know more then your neighbor knows.
Contributing Author…
P.S. if you sale homeland and would like to be added to the list, contact Kip@paramountfencing.com