There seems to be much debate over whether you should install a vinyl or wood fence around your yard. The question is a reasonable one as wood is less expensive to build and install. But the question is whether the cost over time is worth it. You should consider the look you want, the budget you have and the maintenance you are willing to do on the fence before making a decision. Does this Spark an idea?
Initial Costs
Wood and vinyl differ in prices for material and installation. While installation cost will be the same per hour, vinyl is often much faster to install. According to Service Magic, you should expect to pay $9 per foot for a wood fence 4 feet high. If you are seeking a privacy fence of 6 feet, then you should expect to pay nearly $15 per foot. The same vinyl fence would cost nearly $20 per foot. When you are looking at perhaps 30 to 60 feet of fence length to enclose a small back yard, the cost is $450-$900 for the wood and $600-$1,200 for the vinyl.
Maintenance Costs
A vinyl fence does not require a lot of maintenance. Once it is up, you pretty much only need to clean it to keep it looking wonderful. There are vinyl fence cleaners that use enzymes to remove mold, sap or barbecue stains. This may cost you $10 for a bottle that lasts the year. Wood fences require treating for termites, weather resistance, paint touch up and staining. This can add up to several hundred dollars annually depending on where you live and the elements your wood fence is exposed to.
Maintenance Work
Wood requires maintenance because it is a decomposing substance. It was once part of a living tree. Therefore in order to prevent rotting, you need to work at keeping your wood in top condition. This means looking for areas that termites have attacked, and removing and replacing those sections. You must treat the wood not just to keep it looking good but to also keep it from slowly being destroyed by the elements. Vinyl is a synthetic product that does not require the additional maintenance as wood does. It can last up to 50 years with nothing more than cleaning.
Style
Vinyl has come a long way in replicating the look of wood. There are many styles of vinyl that come in various colors that cannot be distinguished immediately by the passerby as to whether it is wood or not. That being said, wood offers texture and changes over time. For some people this is one of the attractive qualities of wood. This may be to create a rustic look or high-grain feel. Vinyl is often much more sleek and finished. At the end of the day, style is a personal choice for your home and garden.
The Best Choice
"Best" is a subjective word. Many people enjoy the look and feel of wood. Others like that wood will decompose over time and not contribute to a carbon imprint we leave here on earth. Other people don't have the time or money to maintain a wood fence the way it should be. With financing, most people will often opt for the more expensive vinyl fencing. This is to save time and energy over the years and it really pays for itself. But then again, some people have blue as a favorite color while others think purple is divine. Look at your budget, your time and what you are willing to do and then choose what is best for you.
Tags: wood fence, over time, vinyl fence, does require, fence feet, keep looking, nearly foot
