The classic white-painted wood fence has been a staple in American homes for years. But, like all things, the wood fence has lost its glamor and is now in competition with the wood-grain vinyl fence. When considering the factors of cost, installation, maintenance, longevity, and aesthetic appeal, vinyl outmatches wood in every yard. If you are looking to buy a fence for your yard, a vinyl fence is the choice for you.
The Cost of Wood vs. Wood-grain Vinyl
When looking at the prices between vinyl and wood fences, wood fences will be a little bit less costly, but you must consider the lifespan of wood compared to vinyl. Wood will inevitably rot due to poor weather conditions, insects, and whatever else might be prominent in your yard. If properly cared for, a wood fence will last for ten to twenty years on average.
On the other hand, vinyl fences are extremely durable and, if properly cared for, can last for several decades. So, when it comes to cost, wood fences are cheaper at first, but the smarter thing to do is to invest in a vinyl fence that will outlast the wood five times over.
Installation Difficulty
In terms of installation, wood fences are usually built from scratch and will require the expertise of an experienced professional. Hiring such a professional will be no small fee, and the installation process can take a great deal of time, especially if you are installing a large fence.
Conversely, vinyl fences do not require a professional. In fact, vinyl fences are ready to be installed when they arrive at your doorstep because they come pre-made with seamless instructions. Because they are pre-made and in kits, they won’t take nearly as much time to install. If you choose to install your vinyl fence by yourself, make sure to carefully read the instructions, gather the necessary tools, and seek guidance if need be.
Overall, vinyl fences outmatch wood fences when it comes to installation because they are easier and cheaper to install.
Fence Maintenance
Perhaps the biggest thing to consider when deciding what type of fence you want for your yard is maintenance. In terms of cleaning, choosing a vinyl fence is a no-brainer.
Cleaning the inside of a home is tiring enough, and before you know it, you have lost the energy to do a thorough yard clean-up. Owning a vinyl fence will cut your yard cleanup time in half because they require very minimal maintenance. Wood fences a lot of consistent hands-on attention, and they are very difficult to keep clean. Wood-grain vinyl fences will only require around two cleans per year, and after every clean, the fence will look as good as it did when it was first installed.
All you need to do to clean your vinyl fence is wash it with a garden hose. If you want to take your cleaning to the next level though, pressure washers are the most effective tool in keeping a vinyl fence clean. This would be true for wood fences as well, but the risk of chipping paint or stain when using a pressure washer is too great a risk. Instead, cleaning a wood fence will require you to get on your hands and knees and scrub the wood with chemical agents. Over time, these chemicals will deteriorate the wood. And to make matters worse, the cleaning process will only get harder over time as weather conditions will take their toll on the wood.
When thinking about color, white, and other lighter colors, will show more dirt. This is no problem for a vinyl fence because the dirt can easily be removed by some water. For wood, however, getting rid of dirt will be much more difficult as the dirt will stick to the paint on the wood. So, if you desire to have a light-colored fence, vinyl is certainly the way to go.
The Lifespan of the Fence
When it comes to the longevity of your fence, having a vinyl fence is the obvious decision. This is especially true if you live in an area with a lot of moisture. The lifespan of wood fences is most dependent on the amount of moisture that the wood is exposed to. So, if you live in an area where it rains a lot, a vinyl fence is the choice for you.
Additionally, most people think that vinyl fences are not as eco-friendly or sustainable compared to wood fences. What people fail to consider is the fact that vinyl fences do not need to be replaced nearly as often as wood fences. Secondly, the upkeep of a wood fence will cause more water usage and much more chemical disinfectants. Like cost, wood fences might appear like the better choice at first, but over time vinyl fences are the better option.
Aesthetics
If you are concerned that a vinyl fence will not look natural or authentic, fear not because the vinyl aesthetic has exponentially improved over the past twenty or so years. There are a variety of styles and patterns that mimic the appearance of stone and wood. It is true that a classic wood fence is always a good choice when boosting the aesthetic appeal of a yard, but vinyl fences can be just as beautiful. The appearance of vinyl fences will only continue to improve in years to come.
Repairs
Damage to fences due to trees or other heavy objects is often unavoidable. If you have a wood fence that is damaged, you will need some woodworking experience in order to replace the damaged part of the fence. If you don’t have any woodworking experience, you will need to hire a professional which could be very costly.
Vinyl fence pickets are easy to replace and can almost always be done by anyone. If you live in an area where storms are common and large debris could damage your fence, a vinyl fence is the way to go. See our blog: How to Repair a Vinyl Fence
As you can see, wood-grain vinyl fences are the more cost-effective option, they are easier to install and restore, and they require far less maintenance. When considering what kind of fence to get for your property, consider the long-term benefits of vinyl fences, and the decision to choose vinyl over wood will be an easy one.
