By: Caitlin Hill and Bob Vera | Updated 1:08 PM, September 28, 2020
The iconic white picket fence that symbolizes the American dream? It must be made of wood. However, wooden fences also have warm colors and design options that go far beyond classic pickets. Add in the organic texture and unique texture of each board, and you will understand why so many people like wooden fences.
However, vinyl now brings some fierce competition to wood. This ultra-durable material is often called PVC, short for polyvinyl chloride, and was used as a fence in the 1980s, but those early versions looked as cheap as plastic. The improved composition makes PVC fences look more natural, stronger and more durable than ever.
The type of fence you choose will depend on your budget, aesthetic taste, and how much maintenance you are willing to perform, among other factors. Read on to learn about the five significant differences in this material showdown-wood vs. vinyl-you are sure to choose the perfect fence material for your home.
Wooden fences usually cost about $12 per foot unloaded, but wooden fences definitely need maintenance, such as replacement when the board warps or rots. Vinyl, at $17 per linear foot, requires little maintenance. Vinyl is also generally more durable than wooden fences, which are susceptible to weather, rot, insects, and other debilitating factors. It will not deform or fade, as long as it is cleaned as needed, it should look the same as it was installed on the day and remain unchanged.
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Wood—depending on the tree species and finishes you choose—may need to be cleaned, treated, sealed, stained, and re-dyed because weather and sunlight can affect them. For example, wood that has undergone preservative treatment to help resist the pressure of decay will warp within one month after installation. In general, some installers estimate that wooden fences will need to be completely replaced after 10 to 20 years.
You can't beat wood to get the organic warmth and traditional feel. It has seemingly endless options and design styles, from privacy fences with decorative fan-shaped tops to picket fences in French Gothic style. In terms of finishes, wood can be kept in its natural state with a simple protective sealant, or dyed or painted in almost any shade you like. Among the most popular choices of fencing woods, cedar has a strong red color, tight texture and few knots, while the slightly more expensive mahogany and teak have a very ideal luster.
The appearance of vinyl has improved over the past ten years, and now you will find options for artificial wood grain, and even artificial stone appearances. These finishes raise the aesthetic bet to some extent, but no one will be fooled and mistake vinyl for wood!
Vinyl cannot be painted or dyed, so once you choose a color and style for a vinyl fence, this is its lifespan. If you continue to love it, great; if you change your mind, you will have to start again. One of the beauty of wooden fences is that over time, it can be painted and dyed to suit your taste.
Related: Fence styles: 10 popular designs to consider
Regular flushing with a garden hose can almost remove the dirt on the vinyl fence. A high-pressure cleaner makes work easier, so if you are installing a large number of vinyl fences, buying a high-pressure cleaner may be a worthwhile investment. Wooden fences may require intensive cleaning more frequently and may require the use of cleaning agents because their porosity makes them susceptible to mold and mildew. Also remember the color: white is more dirty, so if you really want white, vinyl may be your best choice.
Although vinyl is very durable, it can be painful to repair when damaged or damaged (for example, due to extreme weather or accidental impact in a football game in the backyard). Small holes or cracks can be repaired with a DIY vinyl fence repair kit at the home center; major damage may require professional personnel. And since many vinyl fences are sold in the form of large panels (up to 8 square feet), these panels are designed to look like single pieces of wood connected together, so you may need to replace the entire panel, not just a few boards . In this case, if your fence style has been discontinued, it may also be difficult to track. Over time, the wood may warp, rot, or weaken, but if it breaks, it is relatively simple to modify one piece to match it. Please follow this guide to learn the three basic steps to repair a wooden fence.
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