Can You Drill Into a Vinyl Fence?

Vinyl home products such as floors, siding, and fences have a quickly growing market share due to their ease of installation and durability.

With that growing market share come questions from consumers. Can you drill holes in a Vinyl Fence? If so, how?

Let’s talk about three ways you can hang things from vinyl fencing, including how to drill into a vinyl fence. Then, we will discuss what to do if your vinyl fence becomes scratched.

3 Ways To Attach Things to a Vinyl Fence

There are three common ways that people try to attach things to fencing. These are:

1. Drilling Holes

The most common way people think of hanging things on a fence is by attaching nails or screws. Nails will not pierce vinyl easily, so screws seem the logical option.

Supplies

• Masking Tape
• Rotary Drill
• A small brad point bit
• A screwdriver bit
• Desired hardware (anything that requires screwing in)
• A measuring tape
• A pencil
• A cloth
• Paint the same color as the fence
• A small paintbrush

Method

• Begin by measuring where you want each hole and making a mark with the pencil.
• Place a piece of masking tape over the mark (this will provide traction for the drill).
• Set up your drill with the brad-point bit, and turn it on.
• Carefully place the tip of the bit over your masking tape where you want the hole.
• Drill into the material with as steady of a hand as you can.
• Remove the drill bit from the hole and peel off the masking tape.
• Repeat 2-6 until you’ve drilled all the pilot holes.
• Switch to the screwdriver bit.
• Place a screw on the bit, and guide it into the hole.
• Drill the screw into the hole with a steady hand.
• Wipe off any residue or dust from the area.
• Paint the screw with the paintbrush so it will match the fence.
• Repeat 8-12 until finished.
• Allow the paint to dry before using.

2. Side Hooks

Side Hooks (a.k.a. vinyl hooks or over-the-fence hooks) come in many appearances. Most hardware stores will have them in stock. For best results, choose the same color hook as the fence.

Supplies

• Side Hooks of choice
• Decorations

Method

• Remove the hooks from the packaging.
• Hang over the top of the fence at the desired location.
• Adjust the size of the hook (if applicable).
• Hang your decoration on the hook.

3. Command Strips

The last common fix is using command strips. It is very easy, but it is also not permanent. The command hooks will tend to wear out and fail after a couple of years.

Supplies

• Pack of outdoor Command hooks
• Decorations
• A measuring tape
• A pencil

Method

• Begin by measuring where you will want the hooks to sit.
• Mark the spot for the hook with the pencil.
• Open the package of hooks and select one.
• Remove the backing on the hook to expose the adhesive.
• Press the hook firmly onto your pencil mark.
• Let the hook sit for twenty minutes.
• Hang your decorations on the hook.
• Repeat as many times as necessary to hang all your decorations.

Repairing Scratches to Vinyl Fencing

Despite your best efforts, sometimes your vinyl fence will get scratched. When this happens, the faster you address the problem, the more reversible it is.

You can erase many shallow scuffs and scratches with a good-quality pencil eraser. However, a plastic filler (sold at most hardware stores) might be for deeper scratches.

Takeaway

Drilling holes into Vinyl Fencing is possible, but it’s not always something that homeowners are comfortable with. In addition, vinyl fencing is costly, and repairing damage is tricky.

If you choose to drill holes into your vinyl fencing, keep in mind best practices like making pilot holes, and using small drill bits.

If you do not want to drill holes into your fence, you can use side hooks or wire hooks instead to hang things on the fence.