Wood Fence vs Vinyl Fence

Fences tell us many things. They can inform us of territory, including where property lines are. Fences can define an area where people are forbidden to cross without permission, or where possessions, children, and animals are trying to be contained. There are several types of fencing material available to a homeowner in today’s market. Which would be more advantageous to use in your yard, vinyl or wood fencing?

Vinyl fencing has several advantages over wood fences. It is easy to assemble and durable. Vinyl fencing will not crack, rot, or mold, and is weather resistant. A little soap and a hard spray of water will keep this fencing clean. Paint will not chip off of vinyl fencing. Vinyl fencing is less expensive to buy over the long run than wood, and may also come with a warranty.

Are you getting ready to run out and purchase vinyl fencing? Hold on, wood fencing can be a good deal as well. Wood fencing tends to blend in with flowers, grasses, trees and other natural surroundings a little better than vinyl fencing, particularly if you do not paint or stain the wood. Wood fencing is easier to make at home using common garage tools than vinyl fencing. Wood fencing costs less than vinyl fencing up front and wood fencing, unlike vinyl fencing, is biodegradable. If worse comes to worse, you can chop up your fence and use it for firewood or for mulch in your garden.

Here are some questions that you should ask yourself before purchasing wood or vinyl fencing.

• 1. Do you want custom or pre-made fencing? If you want custom fencing, wood is the way to go. Wood is much easier to cut to unusual sizes or shapes than vinyl fencing, particularly if you are a “do-it-yourself-er.” It is also much easier to purchase planks of wood than planks of vinyl that are suitable for custom fencing.
• 2. How long before you plan on landscaping your yard again? If you do not plan on changing your fencing soon, as in the next five to ten years, vinyl fencing might be less expensive than wood over the long run. Wood fencing will rot long before vinyl fencing deteriorates.
• 3. What kind of look do you want in your yard? If the look is “natural,” or “rustic,” wood fencing might be the better option. Vinyl fencing has not perfected the “wood” or brown color yet. And, from a distance, vinyl seems to have the same texture as wood, but with close inspection, wood feels different to the touch.
• 4. Do you want to put up your fence quickly? Vinyl fencing is the way to go, particularly if you want to have a painted fence. Vinyl fencing comes “pre-painted.” As an additional benefit, vinyl fencing is less likely to show scratches than wood fencing because color is impregnated into the vinyl material. Consequently, vinyl fencing will not need to be touched up, unlike fencing made of wood.
• 5. Do you have concerns regarding the environment? Ultimately, wood fencing is the best option if the environment is an overriding concern for you. You can buy vinyl fencing that contains recycled materials, and you can take vinyl fencing to a recycling center if you chose to change styles or colors. However, wood can not only be recycled, it is biodegradable.

Choosing the right type of fencing is an important decision for any homeowner. A good fence can make or break the appearance of not only your yard, but your home. Whether you choose vinyl or wood for you fence, make sure that you measure correctly and follow any installation instructions carefully. Enjoy your new fence!