It does not absorb water. Freeze and thaw cycles are hard on materials that take on moisture. Vinyl does not, so it will not swell, split, or rot along the bottom rail.
The color is UV coated rather than applied on the surface. That is what keeps a white vinyl fence from yellowing and a clay or almond fence from fading unevenly after a few summers.
It flexes instead of cracking. Good vinyl fencing has enough give to take wind loading and impact without breaking, which matters on exposed and coastal lots.
Vinyl still needs to be installed correctly, with posts set to the right depth and proper support in the panels. That is where professional installation earns its place.
