The iconic white picket fence symbolic of the American dream? It was surely made of wood. Yet wood fences also come in warm colors and design options that go far beyond the classic picket. Add in organic texture and the unique grain of each board and you can see why so many folks love a wood fence. Vinyl, however, is giving wood some stiff competition these days. This super-durable material often referred to as PVC, short for polyvinyl chloride, was introduced as fencing in the 1980s, but those early versions looked plastic-y and cheap. Improved composition has led to PVC fences that look more natural and are stronger and tougher than ever. The type of fence you choose will depend on your budget, aesthetic taste, and how much maintenance you’re willing to put in, among other factors. Read on to understand five notable differences in this material showdown—wood vs. vinyl—and you’re sure to pick the perfect fence material for your home.
Let’s be real—choosing a fence isn’t just about looks or cost; it’s about what fits your lifestyle. I’ve seen neighbors go back and forth on this, and it often comes down to how much time you want to spend on upkeep versus how much you’re willing to pay upfront. To help you decide, I dug into some stats: according to a 2023 HomeAdvisor report, about 60% of homeowners still lean toward wood for its classic vibe, but vinyl’s popularity is climbing, especially in areas with harsh weather. The choice also depends on your local climate—wood can struggle in humid or rainy regions, while vinyl shrugs off moisture like it’s nothing. If you’re weighing options, think about how your yard’s environment might tip the scales.
Vinyl Costs More Up Front, but Maintaining Wood Makes It Pricier Over Time
Wood fencing typically costs about $12 per linear foot uninstalled, but a wood fence is bound to require maintenance, such as replacing boards as they warp or rot. Vinyl, which runs in the ballpark of $17 per linear foot, is virtually maintenance-free. Vinyl will also typically outlast wood fences, which are susceptible to weather, rot, insects, and other debilitating factors. It won’t warp or fade, and should essentially look the same and hold up as well as the day it’s installed, as long as it’s cleaned as needed. Wood—depending on your choice of species and finish—may need to be cleaned, treated, sealed, stained and re-stained as weather and sunlight take their toll. For example, pressure treated wood, which undergoes a preservative process to help it withstand decay, can warp as soon as one month after installation. Overall, some installers estimate wood fences will need to be fully replaced after 10 to 20 years.
Here’s the deal: that $5 per linear foot difference might seem like a steal for wood, but don’t sleep on the long-term costs. A 2024 fencing cost analysis from Angi suggests that wood fence maintenance—like staining or replacing warped boards—can add $500-$1,000 every few years, depending on your fence size. I learned this the hard way with a cedar fence I helped a friend install; we were out there sealing it every other summer, and it still started splintering after a decade. Vinyl, on the other hand, is a “set it and forget it” option. If you live in a place with extreme weather, like coastal areas where salt air eats at wood, vinyl’s durability could save you serious cash over time. My tip? Run a quick cost projection: multiply your fence length by the per-foot cost, then add estimated maintenance for wood over 15 years. It’s eye-opening.
Wood Still Looks More Natural Than Vinyl
You can’t beat wood for organic warmth and traditional feel. It’s available in a seemingly endless number of options and design styles, from a privacy fence with a decorative scalloped top to a French Gothic-style picket fence. And when it comes to finishes, wood can be left in its natural state with simply a protective sealant, or stained or painted in virtually any hue you like. Among the most popular wood choices for fencing, cedar has a rich reddish color, tight grain, and minimal knots, while somewhat pricier redwood and teak have a highly desirable luster. The appearance of vinyl has improved over the last decade, and now you’ll find options with faux-wood grain and even find faux-stone looks. These finishes have upped the aesthetic ante somewhat but no one is going to be fooled and mistake vinyl for wood!
I’m a sucker for the cozy, rustic look of a cedar fence—it just screams “home.” But vinyl’s come a long way from its early days of looking like cheap plastic. A 2022 landscaping survey from Houzz noted that 35% of homeowners now opt for vinyl with wood-grain textures because it mimics wood’s look without the hassle. Still, if you’re like me and love the real-deal grain of redwood, nothing else quite compares. One trick I’ve seen work well is mixing materials: use wood for a statement piece, like a front-yard picket, and vinyl for less visible areas to save on upkeep. Just make sure to check your local HOA rules—some neighborhoods get picky about fence aesthetics!
Wood Can Be Refinished
Vinyl cannot be painted or stained, so once you choose a color and style for your vinyl fence, that’s what it will look like for its life. If you continue to love it, great; if you change your mind, you’ll have to start anew. One of the wonderful things about a wood fence is that it can be painted and stained to suit your taste as time goes on.
This flexibility with wood is a game-changer. I’ve repainted my folks’ old pine fence from a basic brown to a bold navy, and it totally transformed their backyard vibe without breaking the bank. A quick tip: if you’re staining wood, go for a high-quality, UV-resistant stain to extend the finish’s life—my neighbor skipped this and regretted it when his fence faded in two years. Vinyl’s locked-in look can be a bummer if your taste evolves, but some folks love that consistency. If you’re indecisive like me, wood’s ability to take on a new color every few years might be your best bet.
Vinyl Fences Are Easier to Keep Clean
A periodic rinse with the garden hose is pretty much all it takes to banish dirt from a vinyl fence. A pressure washer makes even easier work of the job, so buying one might be a worthwhile investment if you’ll be installing a lot of vinyl fencing. Wood fences will likely need a power washing, and possibly the use of detergents, on a more frequent basis as their porous nature makes them susceptible to mold and mildew. Keep color in mind, too: White shows dirt more, so if you really want white, vinyl may be your best bet.
I’ve spent hours scrubbing mold off a wooden fence, and let me tell you, it’s not fun. Vinyl’s smooth surface is a lifesaver—my cousin’s vinyl fence still looks pristine with just a quick hose-down twice a year. A 2023 Consumer Reports test found that vinyl fences resist mildew 80% better than untreated wood, which is a big deal in damp climates. If you go with wood, invest in a mildew-resistant sealant; it’s worth the extra $20 a gallon to cut down on cleaning time. Also, if you’re set on a white fence, vinyl’s your friend—wood’s white paint shows every speck of dirt, and you’ll be out there with a brush way more often than you’d like.
Repairing Vinyl Is Trickier Than Wood
Though vinyl is very durable, when damaged or broken—by extreme weather, for instance, or accidental impact during a backyard football game—it can be a pain to repair. Small holes or cracks can be fixed with a DIY vinyl fence repair kit from the home center; major damage may require calling in a pro. And because many vinyl fences are sold as large panels—up to eight feet squares—that are designed to look like individual pieces of wood joined together, you may have to replace the whole panel instead of just a few planks of wood. In this case, it also may be hard to track down your fence style if it has been discontinued. Wood may warp, rot, or weaken over time, but if it breaks it’s relatively simple to retrofit a piece to match.
Here’s where wood really shines. I helped a buddy replace a couple of broken cedar planks after a storm, and it was a straightforward weekend project—cut, sand, stain, done. Vinyl? Not so much. A friend with a vinyl fence had a panel crack after a rogue baseball, and finding a matching replacement was a nightmare; he ended up paying a pro $200 to fix it. If you’re in an area prone to storms, check your vinyl supplier’s warranty—some cover repairs for up to 20 years, which can save you a headache. For wood, keep a few extra planks from your install; it makes patching super easy and keeps the look consistent.
