Are you looking for a new privacy fence, or want to replace your old fence with a new one, but are on a budget and can’t decide which material will work best for you? There are various fences to choose from, but wood and vinyl are the most popular options for residential fences.

Wood ones have a long history. It once dominated the fencing market; nevertheless, vinyl is a fierce competitor that lasts longer than wood, does not require any practical maintenance, and is unrivaled by wood’s archenemies (termites, fire and fungus). Although this technologically advanced material is somewhat more expensive than wood, should you choose – vinyl or wood?

If you want a low-cost fence, here are some details to look at before you choose, and you can also consult your fencing contractor to get a more professional choice.

Vinyl

Also referred to as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), it was introduced in the 1980s. Unlike the earlier version, which looked more like plastic, the improved kind has made vinyl ones look more long-lasting and more substantial and more robust than ever.

Pros

• Requires less maintenance
• Easy installation – able to DIY
• Easy to clean
• Saves your money over time
• Does not require staining or painting
• Impervious to termites and insects

Cons

• Expensive
• Limited colors and styles available
• Affected by extreme temperatures – tends to expand or bend in extreme heat or cold
• Difficulty in repairing

Wood

Wood fence suits a homeowner who wants a natural and classic look that can blend with nature. It comes in various types, and styles like shorter picket-style fences are best for decorating, while taller wooden fences will provide significant privacy. You can choose your desired wood species – (oak pine, fir, cedar, spruce, etc.) – and paint or stain the fence to bring out the natural tone of the wood.

Pros

• Natural
• Cheaper than comparable vinyl
• Variety of colors to repaint – unlike vinyl ones which won’t hold paint

Cons

• Susceptible to peeling, rotting and sagging
• Subject to insect damage and moisture damage
• Regular maintenance
• Requires professional repairs and installation

While deciding which of the two fences is suitable, these pros and cons can help you overlook what to expect. So, choose wisely!

Factors that determine the cost of vinyl and wood

When deciding which fence is best for you, some factors will help you make a clear choice on the long-term economic outcome that the fence will have on you.

Durability

Which product can live longer? Vinyl beats wood hands-down. Vinyl is made of PVC plastic, which is exceptionally durable for most weather changes, fungus, and decay. Still, continuous exposure to high temperatures can damage the vinyl. Vinyl doesn’t change color over time, unlike wood, and only needs occasional cleaning to free the fence of built-up dirt.

On the other hand, wood is susceptible to harsh weather conditions, which can result in peeling and scraping. Also, attacks from termites and other insects are frequent. More, some types of wood like cedar and tropical hardwoods are more resistant and can last longer. Choose vinyl for a long-lasting fence and to avoid unnecessary costs that come with maintaining a wood fence.

Repairs

Repairing Fences made of vinyl is much easier and can be done by a do-it-yourself homeowner within minutes.
Wood ones require occasional repair on boards that warp or sag to help maintain its integrity. Wood ones may need repairs from a professional fencing contractor to help them look new again.

Refurnishing

Fences can fade in color over time due to extreme weather conditions experienced at Salt Lake County, Utah. Or maybe you are tired of the current color, and you want a different one to match your taste and style. It’s essential to note that fences made of vinyl can’t be painted or stained, so whatever color you choose for your vinyl, it will look like that for its life. When you change your mind, you’ll have to purchase a new one.

On the flip side, you can paint the fences made of wood anytime to suit your taste as time goes on.

Vinyl Fence VS Wood Fence Cost

It is advisable to get either fence installed by a professional fencing contractor because both require digging holes for posts, and sometimes pouring a setting material to fix the posts.

Wood fencing costs range between $3 and $6 per linear foot for a split rail fence made of pine and between $9 and $18 per linear foot for a wood privacy fence made of tropical hardwoods. The costs come with installation; nonetheless, a problematic installation may increase the costs by $25 to $50 an hour.

Fences made of wood are undoubtedly cheaper upfront; however, other expenses you will need include stains and treatment to your fencing budget. Fences made of wood are viable for small projects like garden areas; on the flip side, when fencing around your entire backyard or pool fencing, you should consider vinyl fences due to long-term cost effects.

A vinyl fence has different costs depending on the style of the fence rather than the material. Although it costs more than one made of wood, it has more extended durability with little or no maintenance. Vinyl costs typically range from $20 to $35 a linear foot, while installation costs range from $40 to $60 an hour if needed.

Vinyl is a wise and long-term investment for your home. You can decide to resell your home shortly after the installation of your vinyl and still retrieve your investment; also, the new owner won’t have to put additional money into the maintenance of the fence. 

Contact a Professional for Fence Installation

As we debate, which is better between the vinyl and wood, we should focus on our homes’ long-term goals. Vinyl maintains its appearance and may increase the value of your home by more. Also, vinyl is less costly than wood after all the maintenance that a wood requires. If you compare the cost of repairs, maintenance, and replacement, the vinyl stands out better than the wood one.

Are you looking for a professional contractor to correctly install the affordable fence your home needs? Contact us today, and we will send an experienced contractor your way.

Learn more about how long a vinyl fence will last.

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Fences are an excellent way to enhance your home’s appearance and boost your value apart from enclosing your property. With high-quality materials and maintenance, a properly constructed fence can serve you for many years without the need for replacement or repairs by a fencing contractor. A fence installation cost relies on various factors, such as its length, height, and material type. Longer and higher fences will require more labor and materials to construct compared to shorter and lower fences.

Although constructing a fence around your home might be costly, you can combine hard work, research, and creativity to discover the durable and aesthetically appealing fence within your financial capability. The cheapest and most affordable fences result from cheap materials that require minimal maintenance and easy fence installation. The most common and cheapest types of fences include naturally occurring, recycled, and manufactured materials, requiring the least amount of labor during installation and maintenance.

Aluminum fencing

Aluminum is among the most attractive and basic types of fences available in the market. Although it does not offer enough security demanded by most homeowners, it is relatively cheap in terms of maintenance costs. Additionally, installing an aluminum fence requires maintenance during its installation, where you will decorate and paint it.

Wood fencing

Wood is exceptionally popular across America as the preferred material for fencing, especially if correctly treated. Apart from providing homeowners with privacy, it enhances the aesthetic appeal of your home. Furthermore, it provides homeowners with a warm, welcoming feeling at a low price compared to other materials. When constructing the wood fence, consider the local laws concerning how high a fence should be and remember that the size and height will determine the amount of lumber, labor, and consequently, the price.

Wood fences take some time before a complete fence installation occurs but can last a lifetime. Additionally, the fence’s quality relies immensely on the kind of wood one chooses to construct the structure.

PVC fencing

The cheapest way to create a fence for your home is by getting one made from PVC. Such fences substitute wooden pickets and stakes to offer your protection from the outside world. PVC sleeves improve the stability of wooden posts used as a fence, reducing the cost of material and the labor used. Furthermore, PVC stakes can be attached to crossbars with adhesives and screws.

PVC fencing is highly resistant the elements such as snow, rain, and sunlight, ensuring it serves your home for years.

Wrought iron fencing

Wrought iron is a durable and strong fencing material that withstands harsh weather conditions with minimal repairs. Wrought iron fences are popular gothic and centuries-old look creates an aesthetic appeal while offering sturdy security for most homeowners. Relative to other types of fencing, wrought iron repainting and custom make makes it a bit expensive.

Vinyl fencing

Besides being cost-friendly, vinyl fences flexibility, strength, and resistance to paint make it an attractive choice for most homeowners. Some experts argue that vinyl fencing is approximately four times stronger and flexible than wood fences. Vinyl fences are easy to maintain because you can clean graffiti and other stains using soap and water. The long life span and low maintenance expenses make vinyl fences cheaper than other types of fences.

Chain link fencing

Chain link fencing is a cheap fencing type that can serve your home for many years. This type of fencing’s primary role is the creation of physical barriers for entry of intruders and the exit of pets and children at school playgrounds. The material is highly durable cheap and requires little maintenance. However, chain links are susceptible to rusting and do not offer any privacy to your home.

You can grow rapidly growing vines, shrubs, and flowers on the base of the chain link fence to slightly increase privacy.

Electric fencing

Electric fencing installed by a fence contractor is popularly used to deter human and animal intruders at a low cost. The electric fence has a simple setup with a receiver, transmitters, and several wires strung between upright wooden posts. Electric fences provide the utmost security at a lower price by sending a high-intensity voltage pulse once there is a wire breach. Henceforth, such fences are not allowed in urban centers and near any highways or roads.

Stone fencing

Stone and brick walls have an aesthetic appeal and provide excellent privacy to homeowners. Additionally, these fences are strong and robust, offering security to your residence. However, the cost of stone fencing might be elevated by the extensive labor required during its construction.

Picket

Picket wood fencing is a popular and affordable fencing type in the United States that provides privacy and protection to your property. The vertical spaced out picket attached to the bottom and top horizontal rails is available in various decoration styles that boost your curb appeal and home value.

Pallet

A fencing contractor can fix pallets easily as a fence horizontally or vertically between vertical posts. Since pallets can be offered free from nursery beds, construction sites, and industries, you should ensure they have an International Plant Protection Convection logo. The organization ensures the pallet is fumigated and heat-treated to limit the spread of plant diseases and critters.

Barbed wire

Barbed wire fencing is an inexpensive and secure method of creating physical barriers for livestock from leaving your yard and prevent the entry of wild animals such as foxes and jackals.

Lattice top

A lattice top fence is a wood fence that might have metal forming the crisscross pattern above the wooden fence to allow sunlight penetration. Additionally, it provides one with a view to the outside world while preventing the entry of intruders. Furthermore, the lattice can provide support to climbing shrubs such as vines making your home more attractive. The smaller slats at the top of the fence reduce the amount of wood panel used compared to traditional fences, thereby making lattice a cheaper fencing option.

Nature fence

Hedges have been used as fences ever since the sixteenth century protecting homes from intruders and soil erosion. Planting shrubs requires one to research the native plants and select the best plant whose mature size will provide adequate fencing. It would be most beneficial to visit the local nursery to find information regarding the best plants you could grow as your natural fence. For the process to be cheap, pick plants are rapidly growing, require low maintenance, and carry out planting during the rainy season.

Although yew takes years to form a mature hedge that protects your home, it provides an aesthetic appeal ideal for sunny and cloudy climates. Alternatively, you can grow the spotted laurel around the stonewall to provide an aesthetic appeal and privacy from neighbors and intruders. The bushy green plant is tough since it can survive salt-bearing winds and air pollution. You can select from a wide variety of privet species available to grow your fence that can reach about five to ten feet.

You can opt for bamboo fencing that will make your home seem more environmentally friendly and boost its appeal. Bamboo cane and rolled bamboo use poles connected that create a stronger fence than live bamboo. Homeowners living in areas experiencing colder climates should not plant bamboos as their fence.

Which is cheaper, a vinyl or wood fence?

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It does not matter whether you live in a rural area of the city. The fact remains that fences are a great way of making a border between your area, and it also gives you some extra privacy. Therefore, one needs to go to a fence company to acquire a beautiful fence for themselves. The fence company that one wishes to get their fence from is also very important. There are the costs fence installation and reasons for the installation of the fence as well.

Cost to install a fence

While looking for a new fence, you may sometimes wish to search for the information about the materials required to come up with a functional and robust wall. Depending on your residential area, certain elements will be of duration compared to others when used for your residential fencing. For instance, a wall made of wood would not be able to hold, especially if you stay in a humid or moist climate since they will have high chances of rotting. Besides, vinyl fencing may also fade and crack if you live in a scorching region and has a lot of sunshine.

Therefore, while doing residential fencing, you should consider the material to use for your fence installation. This assures you that you will have made the best decision for the needs that you have.

Generally, the cost of installing a fence will depend on various factors. Besides the materials you use to fence, the labor and the different factors will be of many expenses.

1. Length and size

A fence that is 200 foot may cost approximately $16 per foot, or almost $3,200. The longer the wall, the more it will have a higher cost of installation. However, fences that are unshaped may be of more value than the others. These particular unshaped fences need more labor, posts, and hardware, of which all this will raise your financial plan for the installation.

2. Height

Usually, a privacy fence will have a higher cost than a smaller one, which is of low profile. This is because of the difference in the materials it will end up using. Generally, you should be ready to pay 20% to 39% more when installing a privacy fence compared to the way you would spend for just a picket fence or any other standard height fence. Therefore, the longer the structure you will come up with, the more you will be required to pay for the materials. A privacy fence is generally capable of worth the additional expense, especially if you own children, pets, or a pool, and it would also be more of privacy and security from your neighbors.

3. Sealing, painting, and staining

Staining a fence made of wood can make it look perfect and add a protection layer to the wood. Staining a wooden wall would cost you approximately $1 and $2.25 per square foot. However, if you prefer having your fence painted, you should be ready to pay from $1.50 to $3 per square. In case you want to do the painting by yourself, you will just be required to buy a gallon of fence paint, which goes for around $15 to $30. A wooden fence needs sealant so that it can be safe from the elements—sealant for the exterior costs averagely between $100 and $200 for only five gallons. You can use the sealant to apply over the stain or make it for proper use on raw wood. A sealant is supposed to be involved again to the wooden fence, possibly after every six months.

4. Gates

Several fences have at least one gate as a requirement, and the entrance costs approximately $200 to $600. Typically, a barrier will cost almost twenty-five percent more than one fence panel made of the same material as wood, chain link, or aluminum. Gates are known to be an easy way to give you a way to your backyards. In addition to that, some barriers are wide enough to allow a vehicle to pass through it well. A standard fence gate s usually about four feet wide, and human beings use it and also lawn equipment like lawnmowers and wheelbarrows.

5. Lattice

Latticework is capable of adding a beautiful touch to your fence, but generally, these particular types of panels are expensive. You should be ready to pay about double the price for each group if you want to use it.

Reasons for installation of a fence

What might be the reason why one installs fences? To hold something from getting out of a particular area? To prevent the neighbor from looking at what you are doing? The answer is that there are several reasons for a fence to existing.

1. Safety

Safety is one of the most popular reasons; hence everyone needs to protect their animals and people. If you have domestic animals and children, a fence can be necessary to keep them wrangled up in your won yard. This prevents them from running away, injuring themselves, or anything that maybe if harm coming near them via an illegal place. Therefore, by installing a fence, you will have made sure that no one within your yard will accidentally be in any danger.

2. Security and marking of boundaries

A fence will as well prevent strangers from getting access to your property quickly. Even if you doubt that there will be criminals trying to trespass your land, a fence will be of great help since it will ward off those uninvited guests to your area. Besides, a wall will also determine the boundary land, and that of your neighbor, which will prevent chaos.

The installation of a fence has different costs depending on the type of fence that you need. Importantly, barriers are of great importance to an individual, making a good reason for installing a wall.

What is the cheapest fence to install?

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