Wood has long been a prominent material for building fences. However, since its introduction in the 1980s, vinyl fencing has significantly increased in popularity and is now in many ways considered to be a superior choice. The following comparison illustrates why you should ultimately choose vinyl over wood for your fence project.

Appearance

In spite of its traditional appeal, wood fencing can end up looking quite plain depending on the type of wood and particular style of fence chosen. Knots, wane, and color variation within and among boards can all detract from a wood fence’s overall attractiveness. Additionally, with wood fencing you may have to deal with one side being smooth/finished and the other side rough. This can potentially lead to unnecessary headaches for you and/or your neighbors.
Vinyl fencing is absolutely beautiful and available in multiple terrific colors and styles. Your vinyl fence will look fantastic whether you decide on privacy, picket, or ranch rail. In addition to colors such as white, tan, and khaki, Vinyl Craft also offers textured multi-grain vinyl options that approximate the classic look of wood. With vinyl fencing, you also don’t have to worry about a rough side as both sides are the same.

Maintenance & Longevity

Wood fencing requires a substantial amount of upkeep over time for it to continue looking and functioning as it should. Wood fences that are not properly painted and sealed become susceptible to fading, cracking, warping and sagging. Inadequate wood fence maintenance can also lead to problems with fungus, rot and even termites. Without diligent care, the lifespan of a wood fence is often drastically reduced. Even if you do carefully maintain your wooden fence, it will likely not last as long as a Vinyl Craft fence.
One of the greatest advantages of vinyl fencing is that it needs very minimal maintenance. You can easily clean off dirt and even graffiti just by spraying the fence with water and using dish soap or a comparable cleaning solution on any tough spots. Vinyl fences do not require painting or staining, and unlike wood you don’t have to worry about the vinyl material cracking or splitting. With vinyl fencing, you also avoid having to deal with fungus, rot and termites. Best of all, Vinyl Craft vinyl fencing materials come with a limited lifetime warranty to give you peace of mind.

Short-Term and Long-Term Cost

One reason customers like wood fencing is its low-to-moderate short-term cost. Depending on the type used, prices for wood tend to be less than those of alternate materials. That being said, with an increasing number of mills closing down or otherwise slowing production, the available supply of premium wood fencing material such as redwood is diminishing. This could ultimately lead to an increase (whether small or significant) in overall product costs. With wood fencing, the sizable maintenance requirements also increase costs in the medium-to-long-term, particularly if the fence needs to be repaired or even replaced within a relatively short amount of time.
While vinyl fencing material is generally more expensive than wood, these higher short-term costs are greatly offset in the long term due to the almost nonexistent cost of vinyl fence maintenance. With vinyl fencing, you’re making a solid investment in an incredibly durable and alluring product that won’t require continued financial expenditures.