Wood Fence vs Vinyl Fence: What’s Right For You?

New fence construction has grown to a $20 billion industry in the United States (IBISWorld). A majority of American homeowners select either wood or vinyl materials for their fence construction — but how should you decide between the two?

We found several key trends in how homeowners choose between wood fences and vinyl fences for their property. 

Wood fence owners value aesthetics and upfront savings. Vinyl fence owners value durability and low maintenance requirements.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this guide to choosing between wood and vinyl fence materials:.

• Durability, aesthetics, cost, maintenance and environmental impact are the 5 key decision points most homeowners cite in selecting a fence material.
• Wood fence materials are valued for aesthetics and lower upfront costs. They do require greater ongoing maintenance and repetitive tasks like sealing and staining.
• Vinyl fencing is preferred for modern design and lower ongoing maintenance. Vinyl materials cost more to purchase and offer less classic charm than wood.
• Wood and vinyl each present unique environmental factors. Wooden fences are often chemically treated, while vinyl uses fossil fuels in its creation.

This article outlines the pros and cons of wood fence vs vinyl fence materials across all 5 consumer decision points.

Wood Fencing or Vinyl Fencing: What’s Right for You?

The choice between wood fencing and vinyl fencing comes down to your individual preferences. 

Is the longevity of vinyl fencing worth sacrificing the natural beauty of wood? Are you willing to repair your wooden fence more often to save on upfront material costs?

Here are some overall pros of wood and vinyl fencing, and specific situations when homeowners should consider each material.

Pros of Wood Fencing vs Vinyl

Homeowners that choose wood fences vs vinyl do so for 4 primary reasons:

1. They prefer the natural beauty and vintage aesthetics of a wooden fence.
2. They want the customization benefits of a wood fence, like staining and painting.
3. They prefer a fence material that saves money upfront, and don’t mind spending more time (and money) later on potential repairs and maintenance.
4. They like the ability to replace individual fence boards, which isn’t always possible when purchasing a vinyl fence.

Pros of Vinyl Fencing vs Wood

Homeowners choose vinyl over wood fencing for 4 reasons:

1. They place value on a low maintenance fencing material that requires less upkeep and sealing than wood.
2. They prefer durable fence materials. Vinyl is more resistant to rot, termites, warping and fading.
3. They prefer a modern aesthetic, as well as vinyl’s ability to adapt to a variety of styles.
4. They prefer spending more on vinyl upfront to save money on future maintenance repair costs.

Wood Fence vs Vinyl Fence: 5 Core Criteria

Our research indicates that most homeowners choose between vinyl fencing and wood fencing based on 5 decision points. We ranked these decision points based on the order of their importance to a majority of homeowners we studied:

1. Durability: Most vinyl fences last 5-10 years longer than wood fences — and even longer with minimal upkeep. Does the added durability of vinyl matter more than how your fence looks?
2. Aesthetics: Do you prefer the classic look of wood fence panels, or the modern style of vinyl fencing?
3. Cost: Wood fence materials are usually cheaper than vinyl fence parts. Budget-conscious homeowners choose wood over vinyl for short-term savings.
4. Maintenance and Repair: Wood fences require more ongoing maintenance than vinyl fences. Repair tasks differ by fence material — vinyl may crack or chip, while unsealed wood rots and warps over time.
5. Environmental Impact: Both wood and vinyl fences have an impact on the environment. Wood fence components are chemically treated and contribute to deforestation. Vinyl fence materials are created using fossil fuels, but are often made from recycled materials.

A closer look at each of these 5 decision points reveals more detailed pros and cons of each fence material. 

We used these 5 factors to compare vinyl vs wood as a quality fence material for homeowners.

Wood vs Vinyl Fence: What’s More Durable?

Homeowners who value durability over all other factors overwhelmingly choose vinyl over wooden fences. 

Wooden fences present 4 primary durability challenges as they age:

• Rot and Decay: Most of wood’s durability issues stem from moisture. Consistent rain, snow, and humidity can lead to rot and decay, weakening your fence's structure.
• Insect Damage: Termites and other wood-boring insects can cause significant damage to a wood fence, especially along the ground. Check the bases of your fence posts regularly for bore holes and other signs of insect penetration.
• Weathering: Exposure to direct sunlight creates UV damage — the #1 reason wood fences fail over time. It can cause wood to warp, crack, or split as it ages.
• Maintenance: Wood fences require regular staining or painting to protect them from the elements and prevent premature aging.

Seal your wood fence every 12-18 months to protect it from moisture, rot and decay. Stain your fence every 2-3 years to protect against UV damage.

If you live in a hotter climate (the Southwest, California or Florida), stain your fence every 12-18 months to combat greater UV exposure.

While vinyl is generally a more durable fence material than wood, it’s not indestructible. Here are 3 factors to consider when building a vinyl fence:

• Warping and bending: Fast fluctuations in temperature can cause vinyl to expand and contract, potentially leading to warping or bending.
• Impact resistance: Vinyl can be susceptible to impact damage when struck with force, like falling debris, tree limbs or harsh weather conditions. Vinyl can stress and crack under these conditions.
• Color fading: Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause vinyl fencing colors to fade. High-quality modern vinyl materials are constructed to combat fading, and perform better than older vinyl fences in this regard.

Wood vs Vinyl Fence: Aesthetic Style

Aesthetic value holds substantial weight in the fence material selection process. Homeowners strongly prefer one material over the other in terms of their visual appearance.

Wood fencing offers a classic design feel made from natural materials. That look is customized with stains, seals and paints. Wood is preferred by homeowners who value a traditional, cozy home design scheme.

Vinyl fencing is available in various styles and colors — including faux wood grain finishes. Vinyl is generally preferred by homeowners who prefer modern, sleek design.

Is Wood Fencing More Beautiful Than Vinyl?

Homeowners who prefer wood fencing do so for 4 primary reasons:

• Natural Beauty: Wood offers a classic, timeless look with organic earth tones.
• Customization: Wood materials can be stained or painted to match most house paints.
• Character: Wood develops a unique patina over time, adding natural character and charm to your fence.
• Tradition: Traditional home designs are complimented by a wooden fence.

Homeowners who select vinyl fence materials note their own set of 3 aesthetic advantages:

• Modern Appeal: Vinyl fencing is associated with modern, contemporary home design.
• Color Options: Vinyl fences are available in a wide variety of colors, and are easily matched to your home’s vinyl siding.
• Versatility: Faux wood grain vinyl achieves a similar (but not identical) look to natural wood fences, without the concerns of warping or rot over time.

Ultimately, homeowners who prioritize the visual appeal of their fence prefer a fence material that best matches their home style. Wood fences look great with farmhouse, country and ranch style homes. Vinyl fences pair well with vinyl siding, contemporary and modern home designs.

Are Wood Fences Cheaper Than Vinyl?

Wood fence materials are cheaper than vinyl — at least upfront. You’ll pay an average of $4-8 less per linear foot for wood than vinyl fence materials.

Bear in mind that the cost of maintaining a wood fence is higher than vinyl fence maintenance over a lifespan of 10+ years.