Simtek Fence

Okay, so you’ve probably seen those fences that look kinda like stone or maybe rough-cut wood, real pretty from the road and super private. That’s Simtek. Folks start askin’ about ’em after drivin’ out through places like Edmond or Deer Creek and seein’ one going up around a new build. Lotta people think it’s real stone at first. Spoiler—it ain’t. But that’s what’s great about it.

Simtek Fences are made from a tough-as-nails composite, molded to look natural but built to take a beating. If you’re dealin’ with wind, noisy neighbors, or just don’t wanna be out paintin’ fence boards every couple years, it’s worth hearin’ more about. I’ll break it all down for ya right here on the driveway—pros, cons, what it’s like to install, and whether it’s right for your backyard or business lot.

Why Folks Around Oklahoma Love Simtek for Privacy

First off, these fences are quiet. Lotta homeowners near busy roads or schools like Simtek because it actually helps reduce sound. We’ve put a few up in neighborhoods off NW 178th where the traffic starts pickin’ up—and people notice the difference. Simtek’s dense panels soak up some sound. Now, it ain’t soundproof or nothin’, let’s not get carried away—but it helps more than wood or chain link.

And full privacy? That’s what you’re really gettin’. No gaps, no knotholes. It’s a solid wall, right off the bat. That’s a big step up from vinyl panels with those silly lattice tops unless you enjoy your neighbors seein’ into your cookouts.

Installin’ Simtek Ain’t Quite the Same as Wood

So here’s the deal—installin’ Simtek Fence is different than settin’ a row of cedar pickets. These panels come in big sections, about 6 feet tall and 6 feet wide, and they’re heavier than most folks expect. Even though they’re a type of plastic, they feel about like hoisting a small sheet of plywood, but denser.

You need solid holes, and rebar’s not a bad idea in a lot of our Oklahoma clay. Especially up on the north side of town where the soil gets a little looser near Logan County. We usually dig 10- to 12-inch wide post holes and make sure the concrete sets up real even, or you’ll get a wobble that never goes away. That’s why DIY on Simtek gets real hairy.

Weird Weather? Simtek Holds Up Better Than You’d Think

Let’s talk weather. Oklahoma’s rough on fences. It’s either 110 degrees or snowin’ sideways. This stuff doesn’t crack in the freeze or warp when it’s a million degrees—at least not like wood or even some cheaper vinyls. Remember that ice storm back in January 2021? We had customers over in Mustang whose Simtek Fences took falling limbs like a champ when nearby cedar panels shattered like glass.

UV rays don’t fade it much either. You might get a little bit of a dulling over 10 years, same as anything sittin’ in the sun, but it holds color better than you’d think, especially darker colors like brown granite and dark gray.

Here’s the Downside—Price and Weight

Look—I’m not gonna sugarcoat it. Simtek ain’t cheap. You’re probably lookin’ at 2—maybe even 3 times the cost of a standard Chain Link Fence, and quite a bit more than even a Vinyl Fence. But you’re also not replacing it in 5–10 years like you might with traditional wood after termites feast on it.

Also, it takes muscle. It’s not one of those jobs you knock out solo over a weekend unless you got machinery or a few good buddies. This is one reason our install crews bring augers and two-man lift setups—it saves backs and keeps the fence square.

Simtek vs Wood: Hands Down for Long-Term Value

We about stopped recommendin’ wood in some neighborhoods. Between termites, warping, and codes (especially in HOA-heavy pockets like Oakdale or Val Verde), Simtek just wins out for a lotta people. They see the price tag upfront but don’t realize they’re shavin’ off maintenance year after year.

Wood needs stainin’, repairin’ slats, and replacin’ warped posts. Simtek? Hose it down once in a while. That’s it. The value comes over time—but if you’re flippin’ a house real quick, well, truth be told, you might not recover that cost right away.

Residential Simtek Jobs We Recommend in OKC Suburbs

If you’re in a tighter spot like The Village or south Moore—Simtek might be overkill. But in spread-out spots where privacy is gold? Edmond, Piedmont, Cedar Valley—beautiful backdrop for this kind of fence. Adds curb appeal too. We had one install in northeast Edmond that made the stone-colored Simtek just frame the property perfectly. Looked like the home belonged out there in the countryside, not in some starter subdivision.

It’s also great around pools. Doesn’t splinter, doesn’t rot near splash zones, easy with kiddos. If you got a pool and dogs, it’s absolutely worth considerin’.

For Commercial Projects, Simtek Has a Place but Not Everywhere

I wouldn’t recommend Simtek on every commercial job. If you just need perim security on a storage yard near south OKC, just go with Chain Link Fence. Save yourself a pile of cash. But for businesses that want aesthetics and privacy—like medical buildings, daycares, or legal offices—it’s a solid option.

We did a Simtek install for a dentist office in Norman. Privacy from the busy road, still plenty classy lookin’, and built to last. That office don’t wanna be replacin’ panels every few years or answerin’ calls at 2am from their alarm company. Simtek locks it down and looks clean the whole time.

What About Repairs? Here’s Why You Might Not Need Many

Honestly, repairs on these fences are rare. They’re molded as full panels; no loose boards or railings to come apart. We’ve had maybe two warranty follow-ups in the last 5 years—all storm-related, and both fixable by poppin’ in a new panel or resetting a post. Compare that to fence boards curling or breaking every two winters on wood installs—big difference.

That said, tree limbs still win sometimes. And a lawnmower flying into a panel will always leave a mark. Good news is you can order single replacement sections instead of redoing a whole wall—just not something you grab off the shelf at Home Depot. Gotta go through a dealer like us.

Gate Options That Match the Rest of Your Fence

If you’re throwin’ up 150 feet of Simtek, don’t skimp on the gate. You’ll want something that matches in color and texture. They make gate kits that blend in real clean. We’ve done double-swing driveway gates with custom latches and even tied ’em into access control systems on commercial jobs.

Way better lookin’ than puttin’ a flimsy chain link walk gate in the middle of a high-end fence panel. Gates take the most wear, so we’ll set steel reinforcements in there, and honestly, for Oklahoma winds—it’s the only way those suckers hold up without saggin’ six months later.

If you’re lookin’ for lighter-weight options to pair it with in side yards or less visible spots, we also install Aluminum Fence—less beefy but still sharp if you match the posts right.

Thinkin’ About A Simtek Fence? Here’s Where to Start

So, if you’re seriously kickin’ around the idea of gettin’ a Simtek Fence, best advice I can give is: give us a shout early. Don’t wait till March when 12 folks are already ahead of you wantin’ installs. We’ll come out, take a neighborhood walk, talk about slope, utilities, and whether it’s even a good fit for your land.

Sometimes folks are dead-set on Simtek, but after seein’ the price or tricky corners in the backyard, they shift plans—and that’s okay. There’s no one-size-fits-all in fences. But if you want privacy, looks, and no babysitting your fence in ten years? Simtek’s gonna stay on the list. We’ll tell ya straight what makes sense.

Anyway—thanks for hangin’ out. Fence talk’s better over a cold drink, but either way, it’s your fence, your call. Just don’t go buyin’ panels online ‘fore you know what you’re settin’ into that Oklahoma red clay.