Both high-quality vinyl and aluminum fences are excellent choices for Minnesota, but they perform differently in winter. Premium vinyl fencing offers superior privacy and is engineered to resist moisture and cracking in the cold. Aluminum fencing, like the Jerith products we offer, is completely rust-proof, is unaffected by low temperatures, and its open design prevents snow from piling up, making it exceptionally durable against winter’s stresses.
Here’s a quick comparison for a Minnesota winter:
- Vinyl: A solid barrier that blocks wind and snow. High-quality, reinforced vinyl is built to resist cracking and warping from moisture and cold.
- Aluminum: An open-style fence that allows wind and snow to pass through. It will not rust from snow and ice and does not become brittle in freezing temperatures.
- Key Factor: The main difference is how each one handles snow load and impact in extreme cold.
Table of Contents
- How Minnesota Winters Impact Your Fence
- Material Deep Dive: High-Quality Vinyl in Winter
- Material Deep Dive: Jerith Aluminum in Winter
- Vinyl vs. Aluminum: A Winter Performance Comparison
- Frequently Asked Questions About Winter Fence Durability
- The Best Winter-Ready Fence for Your Home
How Minnesota Winters Impact Your Fence
A Minnesota winter is the ultimate test for any outdoor product. The challenges a fence must endure are relentless:
- Extreme Cold: Freezing temperatures can make inferior materials brittle and prone to cracking on impact.
- Heavy Snow: The weight of deep, drifting snow can put immense pressure on fence panels and posts.
- Freeze-Thaw Cycles: Moisture from melting snow seeps into small spaces and expands when it re-freezes, which can destroy wood and damage improper installations.
- Ice & Moisture: Constant contact with ice and melting snow can lead to rot in wood fences and rust in low-quality metal fences.
This is why we only install high-grade, American-made vinyl and premium Jerith aluminum fencing—both are specifically engineered to withstand these conditions.
Material Deep Dive: High-Quality Vinyl in Winter
Our premium vinyl fencing is a popular choice for its privacy and low-maintenance “set it and forget it” nature. Unlike a wood fence, it will not absorb moisture, rot, or warp after being buried in snow.
Definition: Premium Vinyl Fencing refers to a fencing product made from high-quality PVC, which includes key ingredients for our climate. This includes impact modifiers to prevent cracking in the cold and UV inhibitors to prevent fading. Our fences feature reinforced vinyl rails and resilient posts designed for the Upper Midwest.
The main challenge for any vinyl fence is the combination of extreme cold and direct impact. While our high-grade vinyl is resilient, all vinyl becomes more rigid in sub-zero temperatures.
- Snow Load: As a solid privacy fence, snow can drift and pile high against it. Our reinforced rails are designed to handle this weight.
- Moisture: Vinyl is non-porous and completely waterproof. Melting snow and ice have no negative effect.
- Cold: Our vinyl is rated for cold weather, but a very hard impact (like from a snowblower or plow) in deep-freeze conditions could potentially cause damage.
Material Deep Dive: Jerith Aluminum in Winter
Aluminum fencing offers a classic, elegant look with virtually zero winter worries. We proudly install Jerith aluminum, which is unmatched in winter performance.
It’s constructed from a high-strength aluminum alloy (HS-35™) that has the strength of steel but will never rust. This makes it completely immune to the corrosion that salt spray and constant moisture can cause on other metal fences.
- Snow Load: The open-picket design is a major advantage. Wind and snow pass directly through the fence, meaning heavy drifts cannot build up and exert pressure on the panels.
- Moisture & Ice: Aluminum cannot rust. Ice and snow can coat the fence, but they will cause no damage.
- Cold: Extreme cold has zero effect on the structural integrity of aluminum. It does not become brittle or weak.
- Durability: Every Jerith fence is coated with a “FencCoat” powder-coat finish. This finish is twice the thickness of typical painted finishes, providing superior resistance to chipping, peeling, and scratching.
Vinyl vs. Aluminum: A Winter Performance Comparison
| Feature | Premium Vinyl Fence | Jerith Aluminum Fence |
| Rust / Rot | 100% Waterproof. Will never rot or warp. | 100% Rust-Proof. Unaffected by moisture, ice, or salt. |
| Extreme Cold | Becomes more rigid. High-quality vinyl resists cracking. | Unaffected. Does not become brittle or lose strength. |
| Heavy Snow | Strong. Solid panels block snow, causing drifts to pile up. | Excellent. Open design allows snow to pass through. |
| Maintenance | Very low. Can be cleaned of any winter grime in spring. | None. The finish is extremely durable and self-sufficient. |
| Primary Use | Privacy & Security | Security & Aesthetics |
Frequently Asked Questions About Winter Fence Durability
Will my vinyl fence crack in the cold?
A cheap, low-quality vinyl fence from a big box store is at high risk of cracking. Our premium, American-made vinyl is specifically formulated with impact modifiers to remain durable and resilient in the Upper Midwest’s climate.
Will snow piles damage my fence?
Heavy, compacted snow can put pressure on any fence. Aluminum’s open design avoids this. For vinyl, our reinforced rails provide the necessary strength, but we always recommend gently removing snow if it piles several feet high.
Is an aluminum fence strong enough for Minnesota?
Absolutely. We use Jerith’s high-strength HS-35™ alloy, which is as strong as steel but will never rust. It’s an ideal combination of strength and all-weather durability.
Does road salt hurt an aluminum or vinyl fence?
No. Both our premium vinyl and the FencCoat-finished aluminum are non-porous and will not be damaged or corroded by salt spray from roads or plows.
Which fence is easier to repair if it’s damaged by a plow?
Both materials can be repaired sectionally. A damaged vinyl picket or panel can be replaced, and the same is true for an aluminum picket or section.
What about warranties?
We offer a lifetime workmanship guarantee on our installation. Both our vinyl and Jerith aluminum fences are also backed by extensive, transferable limited lifetime manufacturer warranties that cover their performance.
The Best Winter-Ready Fence for Your Home
The “best” fence depends on your primary need.
If your goal is maximum privacy that can withstand the winter, our reinforced, premium vinyl fence is the clear winner.
If your goal is elegant, hassle-free security that is completely unfazed by snow, ice, and extreme cold, a Jerith aluminum fence is the superior choice.
By: The Authority Fence & Deck Team
Last Updated: November 5, 2025
Family-owned and operated since 1994, serving Central Minnesota with a lifetime workmanship guarantee.