Hello World! Welcome Friends! Fences provide effective ways to protect properties. They help keep intruders out while also increasing privacy. They can keep pests at bay as well. In some instances, they can also ward off flying debris that might otherwise damage houses or other structures if protective barriers weren’t in place. At the same time, fences help improve safety. They keep pets and children inside their confines where they’re out of danger and prevent them from wandering into traffic or getting lost. Those are only a few of the benefits fences can provide. They may also improve the appearance of a property and increase its value.
Deciding Which Type of Fence Is Right for Your Property
Several fencing materials are on the market right now, including everything from aluminum to steel and beyond. Of course, a couple of the most popular options are wood and vinyl. Each one offers its own set of benefits, but which one is best? If you’re looking for a vinyl fence or a wood one, take a look at the following points of comparison. They’ll help you find the right one to suit your needs and budget.
Price
Cost is certainly a major factor for most people. After all, few people have unlimited budgets to work with. Vinyl fencing is more expensive when it comes to upfront costs. Wood initially costs less in terms of materials because it’s a natural product that requires minimal preparation. It simply has to be cut, dried, sanded and finished. In some cases, it’s also treated to make it less vulnerable to the elements. Vinyl, on the other hand, has to be manufactured. All the extra processing and other steps involved drive up its cost.
If you’re working with a minimal budget and are mainly concerned with initial expenses, wood would probably be the better option. On the other hand, if you have more money to spend and are looking at the situation from a long-term perspective, vinyl could be the best choice. That brings us to the next point.
Durability and Maintenance Requirements
Wood requires a great deal of ongoing maintenance. Even when treated, it’s more vulnerable to the elements. Excess moisture can cause wood fencing to decay. Moisture and extreme temperatures are known to cause warping and cracking. Certain impacts can also damage a wood fence. Wood tends to become discolored as well, and paint and stain certainly crack, peel, and fade over time.
As such, a wooden fence will need constant attention. It’ll need to be refinished at least once every two or three years to keep it in optimal condition. Even then, wood probably lasts for 15 years or so. Keep in mind, termites, carpenter bees, and other pests can detract from the life of a wooden fence as well. Because of all that, the cost of keeping a wood fence in good shape can add up over time.
Vinyl fencing requires virtually no maintenance. Vinyl isn’t vulnerable to the elements. It doesn’t draw pests, and won’t rot, warp, crack, or fade. Vinyl never needs to be refinished. All it needs is an occasional bath to keep it looking new, and it’ll last anywhere from 30 years to an entire lifetime. Due to this longevity and lack of maintenance requirements, vinyl fencing is actually less expensive than wood from a long-term point of view.
Versatility
This point could be considered a topic for debate. When it comes to wood fencing, there’s really no limit to the possible styles available. You can create virtually any type of fence imaginable with wood, whether it’s one of the classic options or a design of your own creation. Additionally, you can finish a wood fence in any way you’d like using materials from the full range of stains to an endless line of paint colors. You can even blend different colors to create a customized hue. Furthermore, you can build a wooden fence in any size you want or need.
Vinyl fences are available in many variations. They come in numerous styles, colors, and designs. Several heights are also on the market. Customized vinyl fences are also available at local vinyl fence companies. Having said that, there’s a limit to the available vinyl fencing options. Even with the customized alternatives, only so many heights, colors, and styles are offered. Many people argue that there are plenty of choices to give you the type of fence you’re looking for. Still, wood offers more versatility when it comes to colors, designs, and sizes.
Different types of wood are also available, making for even more possibilities. Each type of wood has its own distinct properties, colors, grain patterns, and other features that make it unique. It’s only fair to point out that different types of vinyl fencing are available as well. They have varying features, including price points, designs, and size options.
Appearance
Quite a few people are quick to argue that wood fencing offers more visual appeal. After all, it’s natural and offers an unbeatable classic charm. When you stain wood or seal it, the natural grain of the wood shows through. That gives your fence more character and makes each piece of it unique. No two pieces of real wood are exactly the same, which makes for a truly interesting and unparalleled look.
Vinyl fencing is equally attractive. Some varieties are even manufactured to mimic the look of the wood grain. Still, it’s not natural, and it’s easy to spot the differences. One might also point out, though, that the longevity of vinyl and its resistance to weathering, cracking, and decay more than makeup for what it lacks in natural appeal. This point is really a matter of opinion and preference.
Finding Your Perfect Fence
Wood fencing is less expensive upfront and more versatile than vinyl. On the other hand, vinyl lasts longer, requires less maintenance, and doesn’t cost as much in the long term. Wood offers a more natural appearance, but it doesn’t maintain its appearance for very long in the grand scheme of things. If you’re looking for a less expensive fence to cover an immediate need, or you want to use a natural material, wood is the way to go. Otherwise, vinyl would be the recommended option.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
5 Decor Ideas That Will Probably Last Forever
The Ultimate Guide To Generators
The Different Types of Garage Doors Possible
How to Start a Kitchen Remodeling Project
Celebrating the Start of Autumn with Le Grand Verre
How To Make Your Winter Garden Look Good
I’d love for you to join my email list! You’ll receive a notification straight to your inbox which will include links to my latest home project posts! Simply enter your address below.
Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day/night depending on where you are in the world! Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!
Toodles,
[…] Vinyl vs. Wooden Fencing […]