Having been a general contractor I have installed and repaired many fences over the years. When homeowners are faced with the prospect of installing a new fence, I know it can be a difficult decision to choose between wood and vinyl fencing. Both installations are expensive. However, is vinyl fencing better than wood?
Vinyl fencing is a premium fencing product that has many superior qualities as compared to wood. It is extremely durable, has a tensile strength five times greater than wood and is impervious to rot and decay. It will never require painting or staining and is typically backed by a manufacturer’s lifetime guarantee.
In this article I have compiled the most common considerations homeowners evaluate when choosing between vinyl fencing and wood—summarized under topics that address durability, maintenance, aesthetics and cost. My intent is to help you identify the factors that are most important to help with your decision making with such an expensive investment.
A list of topics that I will explore in this article are listed below. Click on a topic heading to skip down and explore the ones that are of particular interest to you.
| Wood vs Vinyl | ||
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Paint & Treatments | Environmental Impact |
| Seasonal Maintenance | Installation Comparison | Style and Aesthetics |
| Damage Repair | Cleaning | Cost Comparison |
| Return on Investment | ||
Durability: Vinyl Fencing is the Clear Winner Over Wood
Perhaps the first question that surfaces when choosing between vinyl fencing and wood is durability. Which fencing option will last the longest without any maintenance needs by the homeowner?
Vinyl Fencing is easily the most hands-free fencing option. It is made from a PVC base material with added UV inhibitors, impact resistant polymer modifiers, and color protecting agents that reinforce and protect the product from years of harsh outdoor exposure. Vinyl Fencing is impervious to rot and decay. When installed properly, homeowners can expect a maintenance free fencing perimeter that will look new for decades.
Wood fencing has a 10-20 year lifespan that requires constant maintenance. Staining, sealing, and painting will be required yearly to keep the fence in tip-top condition. Wood fence posts are subject to dry-rot. Some preventative installation measures can be used to reduce dry-rot risk, but no measure can guarantee dry-rot prevention. Every change of seasons, a wood fence will need to be inspected for loosened fencing components. Also, a wood fence will be subject to the constant replacement of splitted, busted, and warped pickets. Untreated wood fences will begin to fade or bleach within just a few months of being installed.
Seasonal Maintenance: Wood Requires Much More than Just an Inspection
Regardless of which fencing option is installed around your property perimeter, it is important to understand the maintenance needs of your fencing product. To maximize your fence’s lifespan, it would be prudent to seasonally inspect your fence for maintenance needs. This can be simultaneously done when trimming the lawn or performing general landscaping upkeep. Listed below is a non-all inclusive list of things to assess.
However, wood fence maintenance, treatment and repair is expected every year. Wood fencing is generally a high-maintenance fencing solution.
Wooden Fencing:
- Loose, split, warped or broken pickets. Nearly every season will require tightening and replacing split or broken pickets.
- Dry-rot at the base of each post. Major dry-rot issues will usually begin to be an issue within 3-5 years of installation. The post must be dug out and replaced.
- Sprinkler trajectories. Redirect as needed. (It is critical that sprinklers do not spray directly against the fence as it will strip and bleach the wood.)
- Peeling paint and/or the beading of lacquer or polyurethane treatments. (Reapplication is required at a minimum of every 2-3 years.)
Vinyl Fencing:
- Gaps between panels. (Occasionally, a vinyl fence may need to be tightened.)
- Loose post caps. (Usually post caps fit snugly on top of the post, however, fastening simply requires silicon caulk or vinyl fencing glue.)
- Chips or small holes in panels. (Small rocks from mowing or weed-eating can chip vinyl fencing. Occasionally, a panel may warrant replacement.)
Both Fences:
- Dislodged or loose posts. A dislodged post can cause damage to the rest of the fenceline and may need to be secured or dug-out and reset in new concrete. Dislodging can occur as a result of impact, poor installation, and ground-heaving—from rigid ground temperatures.
- Mold or algae. (May require the use of a cleaning agent)
- Bowing. (Direct ground or landscaping contact with pickets and rails can cause significant bowing. Ensure there is ample space between the fence and trees and/or other shrubbery. Also, ensure there is at least a 2″ gap between the ground and the fence’s pickets and rails. Ground heaving can also cause rails to bow.
Significant Fence Damage: Vinyl vs Wood—Which is Easier to Repair?
There are certain caveats to consider when comparing a major repair to a vinyl vs. wood fence. In each instance, when a custom product is used for installation, it would be wise to know and to have the contact information for the manufacturer or supplier so that replacement materials can be ordered to match the remaining fenceline.
If the manufacturer isn’t known, depending on the wood or vinyl product, finding a match may draw its own set of challenges. For example, a standard cedar fence will be much easier to find replacement materials than a vinyl fence where the vinyl fence manufacturer isn’t known.
When it comes to a major disassembly of fencing, it will be easier to disassemble a vinyl fence. Only a few top rail screws will have to be removed for any required unassembling. In contrast, the wood fence will require unfastening multiple screws from every single picket and rail that requires removal.
The removal of damaged posts will have similar challenges with both products as they will both have to be dug-up along with the concrete that they are set in. In both instances, they will have to be reset into new concrete.
Once damaged posts are replaced and set into concrete, vinyl fencing is much easier to reassemble. The rails are simply reinserted into their corresponding slots, the pickets and panels slide into place and the top rails are dropped down and then secured with a single screw inside each post.
Major Impact: Which Fence Fairs Better, Vinyl or Wood?
It is impossible to state that one type of fence will hold up better than another against anomalies like a vehicle crash or a devastating windstorm. There are simply too many variables involved with major impact that could result with varying impact results. For example, I’ve seen wind damage take out a wood fence on one side of the road and the vinyl fence on the other side remained completely intact. . . and. . .just down the street. . .the complete opposite occurred.
That being said, both products can be reinforced to sustain additional impact forces. For example, cross bracing and metal straps can be added to sections of wood fencing. And, metal inserts can be added inside vinyl fence posts. This type of bracing is commonly added to corner sections, long stretches of fence-line and/or within high-wind corridors.
Fencing Treatments: How Committed are you to Wood?
A wood fence that is well maintained provides a warm and beautiful accent to any property. There are a plethora of different paints, sealants, transparent and/or solid stains to choose from when treating a wood fence. There are also a plethora of different colors to choose from. These numerous options give wood fence owners the ability to choose the exact mix and match that will provide the perfect contrast for their property.
However, maintaining a wood fence, for many, could be the single greatest drawback when compared to vinyl. The treatments must be applied frequently—usually every 2-3 years—with some regions requiring a yearly application.
Treating a wood fence can be done with an airless sprayer or even a pressurized weed spraying apparatus. These options may save time, but, nothing coats as well as good ole’ backrolling with a hand brush. Needless to say, coating the front and back of a hundred foot section of a six foot wood fence will take the bulk of a Saturday and $200 to $300 worth of product.
with an obligation and perhaps the single greatest maintenance drawback to wood fencing is the constant treatments that it requires year over year to keep it looking pristine.
Vinyl Fence: Treatmentless Solution
A vinyl fence requires no treatments, ever. In fact, painting a vinyl fence can void the manufacturer’s warranty. The vinyl product is already fortified with UV inhibitors, acrylic modifiers and pigment protecting agents that have been bonded together to enable the vinyl fence to maintain its strength and color for decades. The application of paint and primers can actually damage the fence’s integrity.
The sun’s UV rays can cause a reaction between the paint and the vinyl product causing free radicals to formulate in the vinyl fencing’s heat-bonded polymer construction—weakening the material and allowing it to be susceptible to degradation and fracture.
Vinyl Fencing Saves Time on Installation
The procedure for fence installation prep, running layout, digging holes and installing posts for both vinyl and wood fencing is relatively the same. Both incorporate installing the posts into concrete and a lot of extremely hard labor.
However, once the posts have been set, the rest of a vinyl fencing install goes very quickly. In just a couple of hours, a 100’ section of fence can be installed by two people.
The process consists of just sliding the rails into the posts, dropping the pickets and panels down into the rail—with only the end panel of each section of fence potentially requiring a rip-cut on the table saw. The top rail is then dropped down to cap the panels and a couple of screws are inserted into the top rails inside the post. Assembly almost feels like a giant sized Lego project.
For the DIY installer, expect this part of the project to go smoothly and to be extremely rewarding with a sense of instant gratification after all of your hard work installing the posts.
For those who contract their project out, expect to pay less in labor costs for vinyl fencing in comparison to wood fencing.
Completing the Wood Fence Installation is Much More Involved
Completing the assembly of a wood fence is more involved. Depending on how it is installed, it may require routing out sections of the posts to receive the rails. Each of the rails are screwed, nailed, or installed with brackets onto the post.
Once the rails have been installed, the pickets are prepared for installing onto the rails. Some of the pickets may need to be trimmed at the bottom depending on variable terrain. They are then screwed onto rails driving two or three screws into each of the two or three rails that it spans. Special attention is made to ensure relatively equal spacing between pickets.
Once the installation is complete, the first fence treatment is applied and can be expected to consume twice the amount of product than subsequent applications. The overall process, when compared to vinyl fencing is much more time consuming and labor intensive.
Cleaning a Vinyl Fence is Less Tedious and More Eco-Friendly than Cleaning Wood
Outdoor fencing material will inevitably collect dust and grime from the wind swept elements. Additionally, depending on the region, algae growth can be an issue that both fencing materials may be subject to. Which type of fence is consistently easier to clean?
Vinyl fencing is much easier to clean than wood. In fact, it rarely requires manual cleaning at all. Usually, the watering cycles from sprinklers or the occasional rain storm will provide most of the cleaning needs it will ever have.
Because vinyl fencing is non porous, it is highly resistant to mold and the smooth surface makes it difficult for dirt and debris to accumulate. However, if the fence has been subject to algae growth or the buildup of grime, a mild ECO friendly detergent, a sponge and a garden hose can efficiently remove the excess debris.
Cleaning a Wood Fence May Require the Use of Toxic Chemicals
Cleaning a wood fence can be much more involved. Because of its porous nature, wood fencing is much more susceptible to the buildup of mold, mildew, dirt, grime, algae growth, and the excretion of sap and wood tannins. Additionally, untreated lumber, or neglected wood fencing will be subject to graying, fading and bleaching from water and sun exposure.
Cleaning, brightening and restoring wood fencing, may require the application of much more potent detergents, bleach, TSP (trisodium phosphate), and/or oxalic acid. These products can be highly toxic to both plants and humans. Some are required to be applied by hand, allowed to stand for a few minutes and then agitated through hand scrubbing with a soft bristle brush and gentle water spray.
Power-washing may be required. However, when power-washing, it is important to use the gentlest power-washing cycle possible to prevent from stripping and shredding the wood grain.
Also, it is important to use caution when selecting a detergent for cleaning the fence. Some detergents, such as TSP (trisodium phosphate) are highly toxic. And, although they may work wonders on removing mold and algae and restoring the look of wood fencing, neglected drainage of TSP into water systems can cause significant damage to the ecosystem.
Which Fencing System is Better for the Environment, Vinyl or Wood?
When making the decision between installing a wood fence vs. vinyl, often a consideration that surfaces is which product has the smallest environmental footprint? This reasonable inquiry certainly has validity. As the general population swells along with urban expansion and development, there is subsequently an undeniable increase in the strain on the environment.
Sustainable wood products may have a lesser impact on the environment than the manufacturing of PVC materials for vinyl fencing. However, when considering VOC emissions associated with transcontinental shipment and from the manufacturing and application of toxic sealants, stains and detergents that must be applied regularly—not to mention that a wood fence will have to be replaced every 10-20 years—suddenly the environmental benefit of wood fencing is much more debatable.
Because of these reasons, many manufacturers will tout that vinyl fencing is a much more green and environmentally friendly product than sustainable lumber. They also highlight that vinyl fence manufacturing often incorporates recycled materials that do not need to go through toxic chemical separation. Recycling vinyl fencing simply incorporates a regrind, melting, and re-extrusion of the recycled material into the inner layer of new vinyl fencing products. Additionally, vinyl fencing, once manufactured and installed will be subject to no seepage of toxins into the soil.
However, there has yet to be provided any real data to support either claim as to which fencing product is more environmentally friendly. The environmental benefit of wood vs. vinyl fencing has yet to be accurately defined.
Fencing Style Options
One of the most exciting aspects of installing a new fence is selecting the style that will provide the best contrast to a property’s unique characteristics. Both vinyl and wood fencing provide a myriad of style variations that will fall under categories, such as: ranch, picket, privacy, semi-privacy and ornamental. However, which fence has more options?
Because of its ability to be milled, ripped, cut, custom built and treated, wood fencing offers many more customized solutions than vinyl fencing. New modern fence designs offer homeowners truly remarkable ways to create beautifully unique perimeter solutions that have unprecedented curb appeal.
Several major vinyl fence manufacturers offer beautiful wood-like composite fencing solutions as well. The products offer the maintenance free qualities of vinyl, however, style options are few in comparison to wood. Also, the cost of materials for sophisticated vinyl or composite fencing products far exceeds that of traditional and even some exotic wood options.
Aesthetics
Which type of fencing looks better, wood or vinyl? When determining between wood and vinyl fencing and which fencing option will look better around your property there are several things to consider.
A newly installed and well maintained custom wood fence provides an unparalleled beautiful natural contrast to a home and landscaping. Only the most expensive wood-like composite vinyl fencing options come close to an aesthetic comparison. However, if neglected, a wood fence’s aesthetic and structural qualities degrade rapidly.
In contrast, though a vinyl fence may not look like wood, it will look clean and sharp for decades. It will necessitate very little maintenance and will never require the application of any sort of treatment.
When considering the aesthetics of wood vs. vinyl fencing it is also prudent to evaluate other fence installations in the neighborhood to make sure your plans will not have an inconsistent neighborhood contrast. For example, having the only wood or vinyl fence in the neighborhood may end up having a miscreant appearance in the neighborhood.
Cost Comparison Between Wood and Vinyl Fencing
The ultimate factor when deciding between wood and vinyl fencing is the amount that will be alleviated from the pocketbook. Fencing materials, in general, are expensive. And, the material costs may be marked up by outsourcing the project to a contractor. So, which is cheaper, wood or vinyl fencing?
Vinyl fencing can cost at a minimum 40% more than wood alternatives. However, wood fencing requires yearly maintenance and the frequent application of additional treatments. Usually, a cost analysis break-even-point is reached within a decade. A wood fence’s lifespan only exceeds this margin by a few additional years.
Other variables may have a significant impact on the cost of materials. For example, a custom ornamental wood fence made from an exotic species of wood may cost more in materials than a high-end vinyl comparable option.
The following link to Inchcalculator provides a simple calculator to obtain a rough estimate comparing wood vs. vinyl installation costs.
Which Fence will Increase Home Value: Wood or Vinyl?
I recently installed a new vinyl fence around my property. It had been several years since I had endeavored in any such project. I obtained several bids and ran the numbers and was drawn back by how much the project was going to deplete my bank account. Immediately I wondered whether or not I was going to get a return on my investment in home or appraisal appreciation.
Real estate agents and residential home appraisers agree that the installation of a new wood or vinyl fence around a property does not guarantee a return on investment. Instead, home prices are based off supply and demand, curb appeal and specific buyer needs.
That said, a well installed fence can certainly generate a return on investment. For instance, if surrounding properties have a vinyl fence installed, yet, your property does not, a buyer may be willing to pay more for the home across the street of equal square footage than yours. Installing a vinyl fence on your property could then equalize comparables.
Additionally, if a wood fence is installed, well kept and treated with a color that creates a warm and charming contrast with the home and landscaping, it may drive higher demand and buyer interest and perhaps increase the price buyers are willing to pay for the property.
On the flip-side, if that same wood fence is degraded and poorly maintained, it may reduce the overall curb appeal and subsequently reduce the price a potential buyer may be willing to pay.
