Fencing, Vinyl Vs Wood

If you are considering putting a fence up around your house you might consider vinyl fencing as a great alternative to wood fencing. Though wood is a traditional medium for fence building things have come a long way in recent years and vinyl now provides a more durable and ultimately more cost effective means of fence construction.

How does the cost of a wooden fence compare to that of a vinyl fence?

Though a wooden fence is sometimes cheaper off the bat a vinyl fence is very likely to save you much more money in the long run. Wooden fences will often require replacement at your expense, but vinyl is significantly more durable and sometimes even comes with a guarantee of that reliability.
How is the maintenance different between vinyl and wood fencing?

Vinyl fencing is very low maintenance and can be brought to its original luster often by simply spraying it with a garden hose. Wood fencing on the other hand often requires resealing, repainting, and can often rot out requiring a complete removal of boards.

You can see that in terms of maintenance and price vinyl might be a good direction to go. If you own a home or a rental property and are looking for the most low maintenance option in fencing, it will be hard to beat vinyl as the best option. Another option you may not have considered is installing an aluminum fence. At first you might think of a simple chain link fence when hearing of a metal fence, but in reality aluminum fencing can be so much more. An aluminum fence can be just as beautiful as a wood or vinyl fence and depending on your particular preferences; aluminum might just be the best choice for you.

Aluminum fencing doesn't have to look like urban fencing, but rather it can take the appearance of an iron fence you might see outside of a beautiful Victorian home. Aluminum of course offers great durability and great looks but you can also have a good deal of creative input on gate options. If you would like a monogrammed gate you can make it happen with aluminum, and intricate metal work can also be done to create the feel of a fence that is decades or centuries old! Certainly aluminum offers advantages and certain unique opportunities that no other fencing material can offer, so check look into your budget and your needs and see which material will work best for you.

Are Vinyl Fences Better Than Wood Fences?

As with any home improvement project, it is always best to do your homework before going ahead with your plan. Whether you go with vinyl or wood, keep in mind that these fences will be around for at least 10 years, so it's even more important that you like the fence that you are getting.

So, are vinyl fences better than wood fences? There are homeowners who prefer vinyl fences and then there are those who are all for wood fences too. Both camps swear by their choice of fence, but when you get down to the details, is there really a clear winner? Let's find out.

Affordability

The price of the fence is a major issue for most homeowners and here's the deal: Wood fences are cheaper upfront. Vinyl fences cost more initially but then once they are put up, you can leave them there for the next 15 years or so without having to fix or repaint anything. But even if say that wood is more expensive in the long run, it would all still depend on the resources you have on hand (i.e. can you afford a vinyl fence now?).

Look

The natural look of wood is what most homeowners who opted for wood fences really like. Wood fences come with a rustic charm that blends perfectly with most landscaping designs. In addition, wood fences can be custom made with a lot of options to choose from with respect to texture and design. This is the true beauty of wood that remains unmatched by vinyl fences until now. Sure you'd need to do a lot of maintenance work to keep your wood fences looking the way they are, but who says beauty doesn't come with a price?

Maintenance and Durability

Vinyl fences clearly have the edge in this aspect. They can last up to up to 50 years without the need for much maintenance work. Just a hosing down every now and then to remove dust and loose dirt will keep your vinyl fences in top condition. Plus, they don't rot or crack, and are weather and termite resistant.

Wood fences on the other hand, need to be sealed, stained, and painted on a regular basis. Cedar and redwood are the best wood materials for fences. Properly finished, fences from these types of wood can last up to 20 years, maybe a little more, even under the harsh weather conditions.

Warranty

Vinyl fences also trump wood fences when it comes to warranty. Because wood is naturally susceptible to decay regardless of how well you have it treated, wood fences rarely come with a warranty. For a vinyl fence, a 20-year warranty is quite common, and even labor and installation comes with up to 5 years warranty.

Again, which is the better choice? vinyl or wood? I'd say it all boils down to what aspects of a fence matter most to you. The advantages and disadvantages of both types have been laid out for you and ultimately, the decision is yours to make.

Why Is Vinyl Fencing Superior To Wood And Metal Fences?

Fencing for a home can be extremely expensive not only in the additional cost or purchase of the fencing but in the upkeep and repair of that same fencing as well. With the majority of homeowners being thrifty these days alternatives to traditional wood fences and metal fences have risen in popularity. While pricing certainly plays a factor in the popularity of vinyl fences, there are other factors that draw the attention of homeowners as well.

The durability of vinyl fencing is certainly something that homeowners find advantageous. Wood fences and metal fences are prone to a whole host of problems, all of which can occur in a rather short period of time. Wood fences can crack, splinter, chip, and begin to rot away only a short amount of time after their installed. These issues are an even bigger problem for homeowners who have wood fences in areas that are prone to excessive moisture and/or heat. Metal fences on the other hand have their own share of problems. Rust being the primary problem is something that homeowners living in moisture prone areas have to deal with right off the bat. Metal fences that are to be installed in such areas must have protective coatings applied during their construction and even after installation in order to stave off rust and other things like paint chipping and sometimes dulling as well.

Vinyl fences on the other hand, aside from some simple cleaning from time to time, require little to no upkeep on the part of the homeowner. This is because vinyl is extremely resilient to both heat and moisture and isn't prone to rust, cracking, nor does it have paint that will peel or chip away. Furthermore the designs of vinyl fences are much more aesthetically pleasing than the designs of their wood and metallic brethren. What this ultimately means for homeowners is that they will be able to purchase a much more decorative fence for their home and will come away from their purchase knowing that their new fence will last decades and not just months or years before problems arise. Homeowners can also be proud of the aesthetic similarities their new vinyl fence shares with wood and metal fences. Only a professional will be able to notice that a homeowners fence is made from vinyl rather than some other material.