When it comes to choosing a fence for your yard, there’s several different materials to choose from. Whether you elect to use cinderblock, metal, wood fencing or vinyl fencing, that decision is largely dependent on a few factors. Your homeowners association or neighborhood bylaws may limit you to certain types of materials like wood fencing or vinyl fencing.
Or maybe you already have it narrowed down to wood fencing vs. vinyl fencing, and are wondering which material would be better. This article will look at the pros and cons of wood and vinyl fencing and hopefully offer you enough information to make an informed decision.
Cost effectiveness
Notice that the heading says “cost effectiveness” and not “cost.” The initial price of the materials and installation of a wooden fence will likely be less than the materials and installation of a vinyl fence. But as we’ll get into below, the amount of maintenance wood fencing needs in addition to its shorter lifespan make it less cost effective than vinyl fencing in the long run. If you’ve found your forever home, your choice of fencing material should be built to last.
Durability
Because wood is an organic material, it’s biodegradable and more susceptible to breaking down. And if you live in an area of the country like Santa Clarita, CA, that means your wooden fence is going to be subject to the sun 280 days out of the year on average. That’s a lot of sun! Add in the fact that wood fencing is vulnerable to insects, warping and rot, and it’s plain to see that there could be potential issues down the line.
Vinyl fencing is made of a synthetic plastic polymer and can stand up to the elements much better and for much longer than wood fencing can. It doesn’t fade or chip, and it’s also resistant to insect damage. The average wood fence lasts about 15 years, whereas the average vinyl fence lasts 30 years.
Maintenance
Wood fencing requires significantly more maintenance than vinyl fencing. This is because wood is less durable than vinyl fencing, as we’ve discussed above. In addition to durability concerns, wood expands and contracts when the temperature changes, which can become a problem in the desert climate of southern California.
So, as a homeowner, you can either perform the maintenance on your wooden fence yourself, using all the time and labor that comes along with it, or you can hire someone to paint, stain, sand or replace your wood fencing. Neither situation is ideal.
For vinyl fences, there’s next to no maintenance necessary, though it wouldn’t hurt to wash it with a sponge and a bucket of soapy water as needed.
Look
While it’s true that wood fencing has a more natural and traditional look than vinyl, it should be noted that there are many different vinyl fencing colors and finishes that closely mimic the look of a real wooden fence. Whether it’s a faux-wood finish, or a white painted exterior coat, vinyl fencing can successfully capture the aesthetic of a wooden fence while being more cost effective, more durable and less maintenance heavy. It offers the best of both worlds.
Call to discuss your vinyl fence today
When weighed against each other, it’s clear that the benefits of vinyl fencing far outweigh the benefits of wooden fencing, and the team at Vinyl Professionals Inc. would be happy to demonstrate that for you and your family. We’re dedicated to offering outdoor and patio vinyl furniture and structural solutions to clients throughout southern California—reach out to learn more!