How Do These Two Fencing Materials Compare in the 4 Categories We’ve Chosen?

When it comes to fencing around homes, two types of fencing tend to be particularly popular. These are vinyl and wood fencing. If you’re not sure which type of fencing is right for your home, check out our comparisons below, as different people will reach different conclusions based on which variables are most important to them. There’s no one superior fence for everyone.

Appearance

One of the main factors people consider when choosing a fence is the appearance of the fence. The first thing to keep in mind is that there is not just one type of wood or one type of vinyl fence. These days there are many alternatives for each type of fencing, so you’re very likely to be able to find one that will suit your style. You can get help from Illinois Fence company if you want to get a better idea of all the various options available for each type of fence.

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Wood fencing tends to be the favourite when it comes to the overall appearance of a fence, at least when it’s freshly installed. People love the natural look, and it’s what many people grew up with. However, if it isn’t properly maintained it can get to look like an eyesore. You can vary the appearance with your choice of stain or paint so it can match virtually any style and colour of home.

Vinyl fencing used to look very plastic-like, which isn’t very appealing. But over time it has improved a lot in appearance, although it still doesn’t look the same as wood. It tends to maintain its appearance better than wood without a lot of maintenance. As time passes, your vinyl fence may end up looking better than your neighbor’s wooden fence if they don’t properly maintain it. You have your choice of more solid panels that improve privacy or panels that look more like traditional fencing with more spacing between the planks.

Maintenance Necessary

If you don’t have a lot of time to deal with keeping your fence in tip-top shape, you may want to opt for vinyl fencing. Aesthetically it might not be quite as pleasing as wood, but it does require a lot less maintenance. In many cases, unless something happens to damage the fence, all you need to do is periodically clean it off with a hose or a pressure washer to get off any dirt that’s on the fence. Choosing the right colour for the fence will minimize the appearance of the dirt in between cleanings.

Wood fencing needs to be stained or painted after installation and then repainted frequently. As it gets older, it may warp and rot, especially if it hasn’t been properly cared for throughout its lifetime. This can be a time-consuming and expensive process. If you think you’ll want to change the colour of your fencing over time, wood does have the advantage of being able to be refinished.

Durability

Think about it. How many times do you want to have to deal with putting in a new fence over your lifetime? Probably not many. This means you want a fence that will be durable and long-lasting.  Wood fences are susceptible to rot, insect damage, and damage due to expanding and contracting with varying temperatures and moisture levels, all of which affect their durability.

Vinyl fencing is typically manufactured to be able to withstand all of these issues. In general, wind damage may be the most common issue. Those who live in areas with high winds may want to opt for the fencing with more space between the slats, as this makes it more wind-resistant. Vinyl fences can last up to 5 times as long as wood fences, which average about 20 years before they need to be replaced.

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Cost Considerations

When it comes to the cost of fencing, you need to take three factors into consideration: the initial cost of installing the fence, the cost of maintaining the fence, and the expected lifetime of the fence. What looks like the best deal from the initial price may not be the most cost-efficient choice in the long run.

The initial cost to install wood fencing can vary greatly based on the type of wood you choose. It can be as low as $3 to $7 per linear foot (before installation) if you choose pine or as high as $12 to $60 per linear foot if you opt for white oak. However, in general, the initial cost of buying and installing a wood fence will be cheaper than purchasing and installing a vinyl fence.

The typical vinyl fence ranges in price per linear foot from about $15 to $30. Rail fences will be cheaper than picket or privacy fences, and shadowbox styles are the most expensive. White vinyl is less expensive than wood grain vinyl, which is less expensive than black vinyl.

Which fence do you choose?

From these quick comparisons it looks like wood might be the better deal. But keep in mind that wood fences need to be restained or repainted every year or two, which adds to their maintenance costs. While vinyl fences just need to be hosed off to rinse off the dirt.  It does tend to cost more to repair vinyl fencing if it gets damaged, as you often need to replace an entire panel while with wood fencing you can just replace the slat that’s damaged. The much longer life of vinyl fences means they may be the more cost-effective option in the long run.

There are many issues to consider when choosing between vinyl and wood fencing. If appearance is the most important factor for you and you are open to a bit more maintenance, you may want to choose wood fencing. However, if you are looking for a more carefree option and can afford a larger upfront investment, consider one of the many types of vinyl fencing available. You could also review other types of fencing, such as metal fencing, if neither of these types of fencing meets all of your needs.