Tongue-in-groove cedar fence
Aside from the obvious difference in material between chain-link and wood fences, the leading considerations are aesthetics, privacy, maintenance, intended functionality and cost. Ultimately, the choice of fence will be determined by the use for which it is intended. Does this Spark an idea?
Wood Fences
Wooden fences are often referred to as privacy fences for good reason. In both urban and rural settings, wood fences, if nothing else, can be built to any height the local building code will allow and provide privacy if that is what you want. They can be ornamental, such as picket fences. They can be rustic, like split rail fences. The one thing in common is they are all wooden, which means they all must be maintained to prevent rotting, particularly at the posts. The choice of wood will determine the amount of care it will need. And depending on the wood, wooden fences can become quite costly, even for small areas.
Chain-Link Fences
Clearly, chain-link fences lack the privacy and aesthetics that wood offers. But that is not usually the point of chain link fences (though there are ways for them to offer a degree of privacy). Imagine how far a catcher would have to chase a passed ball in baseball without a chain-link backstop. Imagine how far an ill-trained dog could wander if he wasn't bounded by a chain-link fence. Chain-link fences may not be pretty but they certainly serve a purpose.
Know the Purpose of Your Fence
Putting all other considerations aside, the right fencing choice is defined by its purpose; a close second is your pocketbook. Sometimes either a wood or chain fence may serve the same purpose. Either will pen a dog, for example. Only then do the other considerations come into play. Both wood and metal fence require maintenance, though wood demands more attention over time. Metal, on the other hand, will eventually become pitted and rusted, depending on how heavily it is used, and require maintenance of its own; just less of it.
Cost
Comparing apples to apples, the highest-cost wooden fence--probably tongue and groove cedar--will cost more than the highest-priced chain-link fence. So if cost is the overriding consideration, chain-link will ultimately cost less both to install and maintain. The same applies to a cheaper wood fence and cheaper chain-link fence. But for either to last, the higher the quality the better. Installation of either can be as difficult or easy as you make it but the key to either is to make sure that the posts are hardy and well set in the ground. If the posts don't wear well, neither will the rest of the fence. You can paint both wood and chain link, though the aesthetics of wood will always win out. Durability is a toss-up too, as long as both types of fence are well-constructed and well-maintained.
Chain-Link for Privacy
Unless the chain-link fence is used for commercial purposes, like a vehicle impound yard, most standard residential chain link fences are limited to 6 feet in height. You may be able to see right through them at first, but planting climbing vines along the base of the fence will eventually grow into a visual barrier. You can also plant trees, like arborvitae, at close intervals along the fence that will provide a visual break, and privacy, as well.
Tags: chain-link fence, chain link, chain link fences, fence will, link fences, other considerations
