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Two of the most popular choices for residential fencing include wood and vinyl fencing. While they both provide you with security, privacy and aesthetic value for your home, there are some disadvantages which cause many homeowners to choose vinyl fencing instead of wood.
Many people choose vinyl fencing because unlike wood, it is a low-maintenance material that is affordable and will not deteriorate from exposure to the outdoor elements.
Why You Should Choose Vinyl Fencing
If you are considering installing a fence around your property, you want to invest in a product that is strong, durable, and long lasting.
While a wooden fence may have its advantages, the benefits of installing a vinyl fence on your property are far greater.
That’s because wooden fences require more maintenance over the years than those made from vinyl fence panels. That fact alone can make them more expensive. Wood fence panels must be treated, stained, and painted regularly or else they will take away from the aesthetic value of your residence.
Over time, wood that is constantly exposed to harsh outdoor elements will begin to rot if it isn’t treated. This will result in a fence that isn’t strong or durable, and one that may need to be replaced sooner than later.
Vinyl fencing can help raise your property’s value which is a great benefit if you plan to sell in the near future. Because it is low maintenance and doesn’t deteriorate over time as much as wood, you can be assured that your home with maintain its high curb appeal when you choose to install vinyl fencing.
If you own a wooden fence, you can expect to perform maintenance on it every two to three years. That’s additional time and money you would not have to spend if you had a vinyl fence instead of wood privacy fence panels.
Vinyl Vs. Wood Fence – Which is the Best Fencing Material?
When it comes to wood vs. vinyl material for your fencing, wood is a very tough competitor. It may require more maintenance which causes it to be more expensive over time, but it is still a very popular choice for many homeowners. So which one is the best option for you?
Wood has that classic, traditional look that man homeowners desire for their fencing. But it also must compete with the high-tech advancements of vinyl fencing. Today, you can enjoy the best of both worlds with the strength and durability of vinyl that has the look and texture of real cedar wood.
But even with all the options and advancements of vinyl fencing material, many people are still convinced that wood fencing is the best option. Simply because it is the standard, go-to choice for so many homeowners.
But once you start looking at all the benefits associated with vinyl fencing, it is clear what the best choice is. It is long-lasting, requires little maintenance, has impressive strength, and can be purchased in a broad range of colors and styles.
One downside to vinyl fencing is that it costs more up front than wood or other types of fencing materials. But when you factor in how long it lasts, and the low level of repairs or maintenance you need to perform, you will see that installing a vinyl fence will help you save money over time.
How Much Does a Vinyl Fence Cost vs. Wood?
Wood and vinyl fencing are available in a broad range of styles, and the style that you choose can greatly affect the total cost of both the materials needed and the installation.
One of the most common materials used for wooden fences is pressure-treated pine wood. They are ideal for wood picket fence panels. While it may be a great affordable option, it doesn’t last as long as other wood types that are priced higher. The average cost for wooden fences range between $3 and $6 per linear foot for a split rail fence and between $9 and $18 per linear foot for a wood privacy fence.
Vinyl fence materials cost more than wood up front, but they last longer and require very little maintenance. This makes them an affordable long-term option. The price per linear foot for vinyl fencing costs on average $20 to $35. If you add in installation costs at $40 to $60 per hour, you are looking at anywhere from $14k to $20k for your vinyl fence installation cost for a 209 yard fence.
What are the Advantages to Wood Fencing?
- Low cost of materials
- Classic appearance and style
- Repairs are usually easy and inexpensive
What are the Advantages to Vinyl Fencing?
- Provide better privacy options
- Long lasting
- Durable
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Saves you money over time
What are the Pros and Cons of Vinyl vs. Wood Fencing?
To help you make the best decision for your residential fencing, here are the pros and cons of vinyl vs. wood.
Vinyl
Vinyl fencing maintains its like-new appearance much longer than wood. You can purchase it in a variety of formats including panels or decorative toppers. It is available in many different colors and styles to suit your preference.
The downside to vinyl is overall, the look can be less appealing than wood for many homeowners. While it is offered with wood-like textures, the synthetic appearance stands out when placed against the natural outdoor background.
Wood
Wood fencing appeals to a large group of homeowners who prefer the natural and classic look. It blends in well with the outdoor environment and foliage. You can purchase it in various styles such as picket or split rail fencing. Usually, wood fencing is more affordable to purchase up front, and wood fence installation cost is often less as well.
The downside to wood fencing is how quickly it an degrade over time. This causes a very negative impact on this material because if it is not maintained, a degraded wooden fence can cause your property’s curb value to drop. This is especially important to anyone who may consider selling their home in the future.
6 Reasons to Choose Vinyl Fencing
There are many reasons why you should consider a vinyl fence over a wooden fence. Here are six of the top reasons for you to think about.
Low-Maintenance
Vinyl fencing does not require as much maintenance as wood fencing over the years. It will not rot, splinter, or warp due to exposure to the elements. It also will not blister or peel like wood material.
You never need to sand or stain a vinyl fence. Vinyl fences also do not need to be painted to maintain their aesthetic quality like a wooden fence. The only maintenance you need to perform with vinyl fencing is washing it using a garden hose on a routine basis to keep it looking its best.
An Abundance of Styles, Textures, and Colors
Vinyl fencing is available in many different styles, colors, and textures. You can choose a combination of different shades and designs to ensure that your fence looks unique from all others in the neighborhood.
This material is available with wood grain textures to give your fence the appearance of natural wood fencing. You also have the option to choose from a bold color palette that will make your property stand out.
Color and Fade Protection
A wooden fence will look great right after it is freshly painted or stained. But over time, that paint will chip and the stain will fade. Vinyl fencing material, however, will maintain it’s bright and beautiful colors for many years.
This material is treated to prevent fading and features an added layer of protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays. When you choose to install a vinyl fence instead of a wooden fence, you get the advantage of enjoying a fence that looks brand new for years to come. Plus, you also get the added advantage of all the latest vinyl fence colors to choose from.
Stronger with More Flexibility
Many homeowners looking for more fencing options are not aware of the strength and flexibility of vinyl. It is much stronger and more flexible than wood. That allows it to endure impacts from occasional run-ins with lawn equipment or tree limbs and still maintain its beauty.
This can be a great advantage if you ever decide to sell your property after installing your new fence. You will not have to worry about replacing the fence to improve the overall beauty and value of your residence, which will help gain attention of potential buyers.
Affordable and Cost-Effective
Another benefit to installing vinyl fencing over wood is the fact that it is so affordable and cost effective. Even the very best premium vinyl fencing costs less than you may think. Also, because they do not require as much maintenance, vinyl fencing will even save you money over time.
Easy to Install
Vinyl fences can be very easy to install and they are no problem to repair or replace if needed. Aside from securing the posts into the ground, installing a vinyl fence requires very little work. Whether you decide to do-it-yourself or hire a professional to take care of the job for you, installing a vinyl fence will not take long and will also require less effort.
Contact Us for All Your Vinyl Fencing Needs
When you are ready to improve the look and value of your property with a new vinyl fence, get in contact with us. We can help you make the best decision regarding what style, color, and finish will look best with your home. Contact us today to find out more about the variety of fencing styles we have to offer.
Additional sources
https://www.certainteed.com/fence/why-should-i-choose-vinyl-fence-over-wood/