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The iconic white picket fence symbolic of the American dream? It was certainly made of wood. Wooden fences are also available in warm colors and design options that go far beyond the classic picket line. Add organic texture and the unique grain of each board and you can see why so many people love a wooden fence.
However, vinyl gives tough competition to wood these days. Often referred to as PVC, short for polyvinyl chloride, this super-durable material was introduced as a fence in the 1980s, but those early versions looked plastic and cheap. Improved composition has resulted in 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 maintenance requirements, 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.
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Vinyl costs more upfront, but wood maintenance makes it more expensive over time.
Wooden fences typically cost around $ 12 per linear foot uninstalled. However, a wooden fence requires maintenance, e.g. B. Replacing boards when they warp or rot. Vinyl, which runs from $ 17 per linear foot in the ballpark, is virtually maintenance free. Vinyl also typically outlasts wooden fences, which are susceptible to weather, rot, insects, and other debilitating factors. It won’t warp or fade and should look essentially the same and last for as long as the day it is installed, as long as it is cleaned as needed.
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Wood – depending on your choice of type 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 that has undergone a preservation process to resist decay can warp as early as a month after installation. Overall, some installers appreciate the need for wooden fences
be completely replaced after 10 to 20 years.
Photo: istockphoto.com
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 surfaces, wood can simply be left in its natural state with a protective sealant, or it can be stained or painted in virtually any shade you want. One of the most popular types of wood for fencing, cedar has a rich reddish color, tight grain and minimal knots, while slightly more expensive redwood and teak have an extremely desirable sheen.
The appearance of vinyl has improved over the past decade, and now you can find options with faux wood grain and even engineered stone looks. These finishes have improved the aesthetic use a bit, but no one will be fooled into mistaking vinyl for wood!
Photo; istockphoto.com
Wood can be reworked.
Vinyl cannot be painted or stained. So once you’ve picked a color and style for your vinyl fence, it will look like this for life. If you keep loving it, great; If you change your mind you will have to start over. One of the wonderful things about a wooden fence is that over time it can be painted and stained to your liking.
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Vinyl fences are easier to keep clean.
A regular garden hose flush is pretty much all it takes to remove dirt from a vinyl fence. A high-pressure cleaner makes the work even easier. Buying a pressure washer can therefore be a worthwhile investment if you have lots of vinyl fencing installed. Wooden fences will likely need to be washed more often, and possibly with detergent, because their porous nature makes them prone to mold and mildew. Also, think about the color: white shows more dirt. So if you really want white, vinyl might be your best bet.
Repairing vinyl is more difficult than repairing wood.
Although vinyl is very durable if damaged or broken – for example from extreme weather or accidental bumps during a soccer game in the backyard – it can be painful to repair. Small holes or cracks can be mended with a DIY vinyl fence repair kit from the home center. In the event of major damage, a professional may have to be called in. And since many vinyl fences are sold as large panels – up to eight foot squares – that are designed to look like individual pieces of wood joined together, you may need to replace the entire panel instead of just a few wooden planks. In this case, it can also be difficult to track down your fence style once it has been set. Wood can warp, rot, or weaken over time, but if it breaks it’s relatively easy to retrofit a piece to fit. Follow this guide for the three basic steps to repairing a wooden fence.
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