Wood or Vinyl Fencing – When it comes time to replace your fencing or install a new fence, the question arises whether to install wood fencing or to opt for modern vinyl fencing?
Thinking about a vinyl vs wood fence, it’s fair to say that wooden fencing used to be the automatic choice when steel or brass materials proved overly costly. However, with improvements to materials and production methods, vinyl fencing now has a lot more going for it than in years past. With the rising costs of lumber, the prices can be comparable.
When factoring in your budget, you must consider the price per linear foot of fencing as well as labor charges which are also usually factored per linear foot.
Wood or Vinyl Fencing – Which is the Best Choice
In this article, we take a look at the pros and cons of each and give you our verdict on the matter. When considering the best fencing for land, consider the benefits of each as well as the main reasons you want to install or replace a fence. People want fences for different reasons.
Both types of fencing can add value to your home. Other benefits to owning fences are:
- Define your property
- Create areas on your property
- Keep wildlife, such as deer and javelina out
- Create privacy from neighbors or from the street
- Corral animals such as livestock
- Minimize pollution, especially if you are on a dirt road
- Help with safety by creating an additional barrier to entry
- Help to keep pets and children inside the fence boundary
Wood Fencing Pros and Cons
Wooden fencing is the traditional choice. It’s a classic. If you must have real timber with definable wood grain patterns on it, you’re locked into that choice and the realities that come along with it.
Beyond the pleasing appearance, wood has to be treated with a protective coating to avoid it getting damaged by the weather. It can suffer from insects such as termites eating away at it or general rot as the wood gets excessively wet and cannot dry out quickly enough. This will depend a lot on your climate. In arid regions, rot will be less of an issue.
As wooden fencing can degrade significantly over time, it can impact negatively on the curb appeal of your property.
Without proper and regular maintenance, you may need to replace the whole lot eventually. And if you don’t, it can leave a negative impact with potential buyers if you plan on selling the property further down the line.
However, as far as costs go, you can make a wooden fence cheaply if you use one from reclaimed pallets. A pallet fence is very inexpensive to make. Otherwise, depending on the cost of lumber, it may be more cost effective to opt for vinyl.
As far as installation, a wooden fence is usually more expensive to install than a vinyl fence.
Vinyl Fencing Pros and Cons
Vinyl fencing is a newer choice. Vinyl fence panels come in non-textured plain colors. You can choose white or brighter or darker tones depending on what fits well with the look of your home and other structures on your property.
There’s also a wood-like appearance through Timberland color choices that resembles wood from a distance without the negatives. Another direction to go is BuffTech which is a fencing color that adds real texture, so it feels more like wood as well.
Maintenance is easier with vinyl than wood. The vinyl fence only needs a spray down with water and perhaps a soapy wash every half-year or so. There’s no patching up holes or re-applying paint or a protective coating to the wood. In addition, you won’t have to worry about insects or pests boring into the fencing. Rot won’t be an issue either.
Most homeowners are also unaware that vinyl is a lot stronger than wood. It provides both strength and flexibility which means it is less likely to need replacing over time.
With the rising cost of lumber, it is difficult to predict if the cost of vinyl or wood fencing will be more expensive. Vinyl fencing is sold per linear foot. One downside is that vinyl fencing is often more expensive to install than a wood fence.
A vinyl fence is a great option for homeowners who are looking for a low cost and durable fencing solution. A vinyl fence is made of PVC plastic that is designed to last for years. It is also easy to clean and does not require any painting or staining.
Vinyl fences are a popular choice for many homeowners. Vinyl fences are attractive, easy to maintain, and durable.
The advantages of vinyl fences include:
- Ease of installation and low cost
- Attractive appearance
- Durable and long-lasting
- Low maintenance requirements
Which Fencing Option is Best?
When choosing the right fencing for your property, you must consider the purpose for installing a fence, your budget for materials and installation, aesthetics, and how much fencing you will need.
Unless you’re sold on wood as a fencing material, then vinyl is going to be an affordable option. It provides far greater flexibility with color and material selection (can include a wood-like appearance) but without the drawbacks.
A good vinyl fencing that is made with thicker PVC can last a couple of decades too. This is longer than most wooden fences will manage.
When it comes to replacing your fencing, vinyl is usually a far better material of choice. It’s not expensive because it’s made from PVC and is easier to manufacture, meaning the homeowner saves money as a result.
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Thanks for helping me learn more about wood and vinyl fencing. It’s good to know that vinyl fencing is actually a lot stronger than wood. I’m interested to learn if this type of fencing would be ideal if you want a really durable fence for your area.
Thanks for pointing out that vinyl is a durable fence option, and it offers an affordable rate. My husband and I bought a new property, and we are interested in hiring a professional that can install fences for privacy and security purposes. We want a cost-effective option, so we will consider vinyl fencing services.