So, you finally have your dream home in your ideal neighborhood. But your yard doesn’t have a fence. What kind of fence should you invest in?
Wood fences are picturesque, but they’re susceptible to rot and insects. Vinyl is resistant to weathering but may crack with a lawnmower hit. Steel fences are resistant to all that, but they are much more expensive and cumbersome to install.
In this blog, we’ll break down the pros and cons of the most common fencing materials.
Wood Fences
Pros:
- Aesthetic appeal: Wooden fences offer a natural, classic look. They complement various architectural styles and blend well with landscaping. The scenic charm can enhance curb appeal.
- Eco-friendly: Wood is renewable and sustainable, making it an environmentally conscious choice.
- Cost-effective: Compared to materials like wrought iron or vinyl, wood fences are generally more affordable to purchase and install. They cost around $15 to $35 per linear foot, including materials and labor, but prices vary.
- Easy to customize: You can easily paint or stain wooden fences to match your style.
Wooden fences can be easily painted or stained to match your style.
Cons:
- High maintenance: Wood fences require regular upkeep (staining, sealing, and treating) to protect against decay, rot, and insect damage.
- Weather Sensitivity: Exposure to the elements will eventually lead to cracks, warping, and splintering. Regular maintenance and repairs are required to keep them pristine.
- Vulnerable to pests: Wood-boring insects like termites and ants love wood fences. Once they establish a foothold, these pests can be hard to get rid of.
- Shorter lifespan: Compared to other materials like vinyl and aluminum, wood is short-lived. With regular maintenance, wood fences can live up to 20 to 30 years.
Steel Fences
Pros:
- Durable: Steel fences are resistant to corrosion and can withstand strong weathering.
- Low maintenance: Steal does not require regular upkeep like wood. However, low maintenance does not mean no maintenance.
- Security: Thanks to their strength and durability, steel fences provide excellent security.
- Longer lifespan: With proper maintenance, steel fences can last anywhere from 20 to 50 years.
Cons:
- High cost: Steel is much more expensive than other materials. It can roughly range from $20 to $80 per linear foot, and some have even gone for over $100 per linear foot.
- Intense installation: Due to its weight, steel fencing often requires professional installation with many hands and specialized tools. This labor-intensive installation contributes to the high price.
- Aesthetically unappealing: Steel fencing can make your home feel like a prison, especially if you’re the only one with a steel fence on your block.
Vinyl
Pros:
- Great aesthetic with greater durability: Vinyl provides the aesthetic of wood without attracting pests. It contributes to that charming white-picket aesthetic while remaining durable and secure.
- Low maintenance: Unlike wood, vinyl fencing doesn’t need to be painted, stained, or sealed. It requires minimal upkeep, usually only occasionally cleaning with soap and water.
Great for pets and children: Because it does not crack, chip, or splinter like wood, it’s safe for children and pets.
Cons:
- Sensitive to extreme weather: Vinyl is not as sensitive to the elements as wood; however, it can still crack in extreme cold and warp in intense heat. Vinyl is ideal for temperate climates, but if you experience the extremes of all seasons, vinyl might not be right for you.
- Difficult repairs: Wooden fences can easily be repaired with some DIY know-how. However, vinyl fences are more cumbersome. Because of how they are constructed, if you need to replace one plank, you’ll have to replace the entire panel.
- Environmental concerns: Vinyl is plastic, so it is not as environmentally friendly as natural materials like wood. However, as a provider of vinyl fencing, we try our best to support sustainability. We are Green Certified and HUBZone Certified.
Aluminum
Pros:
- Durability: Aluminum fences are highly resistant to moisture, decay, and insect damage. Unlike vinyl fencing, they can take a hit from the lawnmower. Even in coastal conditions, where salty, sandy winds can wear down materials, extra coating keeps them looking pristine.
- Affordability: While Aluminum fencing has higher upfront costs than wood, it is more cost-effective over its long lifetime thanks to its low maintenance needs.
- Aesthetically versatile: Aluminum fencing can be made to match your style. There are various styles, colors, and finishing touches to choose from.
- Easy to install: Aluminum is lightweight, making it easier to install yourself.
- Longer lifespan: With proper maintenance, aluminum fencing can last 30 to over 50 years!
- Eco-friendly: Aluminum can be infinitely recycled. So, if you are concerned about the environment, know your aluminum fence can be recycled at the end of its lifetime.
Cons:
- Less traditional aesthetic: While Aluminum can provide various aesthetics, it’s still relatively new to the residential market. Wooden fences and stone walls have been around for hundreds of years, influencing our concept of “traditional.”
- Higher upfront costs: Compared to some materials like wood, aluminum fencing can have higher initial costs. However, it is not nearly as expensive as steel. Aluminum fencing can range from $20 to $75.
- Paradox of choice: Sometimes, too many options can overwhelm us, and we don’t make a choice. There are many options for aluminum fencing, from panel styles to height and finials.
Conclusion
Obviously, as providers of aluminum and vinyl fencing, we are a little biased toward those materials— but for good reason! We believe in them as products. We’ve written several blogs and articles highlighting their benefits.
However, it is YOUR home. You deserve peace of mind and aesthetics— protection and style. Feel free to contact us for any additional questions or information.
