Are you thinking about installing a fence on your property? Not sure whether you should get a vinyl fence or a wood fence?
Getting a fence for your home can be a great choice, but it can be difficult to decide on the specifics. Choosing the right material for your fence is important and is worth considering carefully.
Fortunately, we’re here to help. We’ll tell you everything you need to know in this vinyl vs. wood fence guide.
Table of Contents
1. Appearance Preferences
One of the main things to consider when choosing a fence material is its appearance.
Both wood and vinyl fencing options can look pretty good and different people may prefer one option or the other. In the case of a fence’s visual appearance, it comes down to personal preference.
Both wood fences and vinyl fences offer a variety of different designs and appearances that you can choose from, so you’ll be able to find an option in either material that suits you well.
2. Fence Durability
Another key thing to think about when choosing between vinyl and wood fences is how durable they are.
Wood fences can be susceptible to various kinds of damage. Moisture can cause problems with wood fences and may even lead to rotting.
While there are some sealants and paints that can prevent termite and insect damage, they’ll need to be reapplied after several years and not all woods will include this protection. Also, keep in mind that certain types of woods will fare better than others against insects.
Vinyl fences, however, don’t really suffer from these same drawbacks. You won’t need to worry about rotting or decay with vinyl fences and insects won’t cause problems either.
3. Ease Of Installation
Another thing to consider when choosing the type of fence you want to install is how easy the installation process will be.
Vinyl fences are usually incredibly easy to install. You’ll be able to get a fence in the form of prefab panels that can be installed easily.
Wood fences, on the other hand, will usually take more work to install. While you can get prefab wood panels as well, you’ll often need to get a professional installation. The installation will generally be a bit more difficult if you try to do it on your own and you’ll usually need another person to help with a DIY job.
4. Maintenance
Another thing to think about when choosing between a wood and vinyl fence is what level of cleaning and maintenance the fence will require.
Vinyl fences require very little maintenance and will be easy to clean. You’ll simply need to rinse these fences with a garden hose or a pressure washer and they’ll continue looking great.
Wood fences, however, can be a bit trickier to clean and maintain. Moisture can be a problem with wood fences and there could be mold and mildew growth. You’ll need to clean them thoroughly if you decide to get a wood fence.
Additionally, you’ll want to make sure to apply preservatives to a wood fence as well to prevent insect damage and other problems. For protecting a fence from weather damage, using a great wooden fence treatment will be essential.
5. Repairing the Fence
If you want to be happy with your fence installation then you should also think about how easy repairs and replacements will be as well. Both vinyl and wood fences can get damaged from time to time, so you’ll need to do some work on it if it happens.
Vinyl fencing repairs can be fairly simple to handle on your own, but it can take some effort. You’ll also usually need to replace entire panels when something happens instead of just the damaged part.
Wood fence repairs, on the other hand, can be easier and cheaper in comparison. This is particularly true if you have some skill working with wood.
6. Price
When deciding between a vinyl fence and a wood fence, you should also think about the cost of installation and maintenance.
Both types of fences have a range of different options you can choose from in various price tiers. However, vinyl fences tend to be more expensive than a typical wood fence will be for the initial installation.
On the other hand, maintenance costs for wood can be more significant and can end up costing you more in the long run than vinyl fences will. Vinyl fences will typically last longer and won’t be as susceptible to damage as wood fences.
7. Property Value Increase
It’s important to note that adding a fence to your property can end up increasing its value if you decide to sell it later on. Either installing a fence to add privacy or simply to improve curb appeal can help your home sell for more if you decide to let it go.
You’ll be happy to learn that when choosing between wood and vinyl fences, both will end up raising the value of your property significantly and similarly. However, you’ll want to think about the overall appearance, condition, and functionality of the fence when selling if you want it to be sure that the fence will help your home sell for a good price.
Choosing Between a Vinyl Vs. Wood Fence
If you’re trying to decide between vinyl vs. wood fence options for your home, make sure that you consider all of the important factors. The above points are all worth considering when choosing the best fencing material for your house.
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