| Fence Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Wooden | Aesthetic appeal, customizable, Durable if maintained | High maintenance, cost, susceptibility to rot and pests, weathering |
| Aluminum | Low maintenance, durable, aesthetic | Limited privacy, thinner gauge bars can bend |
| Chain link | Low maintenance, durable | Less attractive, limited privacy, easy to climb |
| Vinyl | Low maintenance, aesthetic | Extreme weather conditions can cause damage, plastic-like, prone to algae mold and mildew can cause staining, some think it looks cheap |
By now, you may know the different types of fences: wooden, aluminum (wrought iron style), chain link, vinyl, and composite.
By the way, there are also other fences including: sheet metal, ranch style, and more, but we won’t go over those.
Below is a comparison between wooden, aluminum, chain link, vinyl, and composite fencing. The graphics below highlight the pros and cons of each fence type from one to five (green is good!).
| Desired Qualities of a Fence | Wooden | Wrought Iron Styl | Chain Link | Vinyl | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aesthetic and attractive appeal | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ |
| Low Initial Cost | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ |
| Customizable | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ |
| Value Added to Home | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ |
| Privacy | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ |
| Security | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ |
| Easy to Repair | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ |
| Low Maintenance | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ |
| Lifespan (with proper maintenance) | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ | ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ |
You can see that wooden fencing has some advantages over the other types of fencing, but there are some disadvantages as well. Let’s talk about it…
Wooden Fencing Advantages
The most customizable - Widest variety
Wooden fencing is the most popular option in the United states. This is because wooden fencing gives you the most options out of any fence type out there. Wooden fencing can be built very simply or it can be built more extravagantly and custom. You can build one very economically, or you can build a custom wooden fence with the best materials, decorative wooden finishes, steel posts, and stain OR paint it any color.
Examples of different types of wooden fencing: side by side style, board on board, shadowbox, horizontal, vertical, picket style, and you can build them up to 8 or 10 plus feet in height.
Attractive Look
Wooden fencing is often regarded as the most beautiful fence option. Many people like the natural look that blends with most landscapes.
Privacy and Security
Wooden fencing can provide great security and privacy – especially if you build one that’s taller (8ft), and one with overlapping pickets (referred to as board on board).
Repairability
Wood is relatively easy to work with compared to other materials like metal, composite, or vinyl. This makes repairs much easier.
Lifespan
You’re probably thinking, “wait, I thought wooden fences have a terrible lifespan. Why is lifespan under the advantages section?” Well, it depends. If you’re installing low quality wood materials for the pickets, rails, and posts, then absolutely wooden fencing will have a short lifespan compared to other fences. However, if you use high quality wood materials like cedar, and if you use steel posts (posts are the most important part of the fence), then the lifespan can be very, very long – 30 plus years with the proper maintenance.
In conclusion, wooden fencing CAN have a very long lifespan provided you use quality materials, and that you MAINTAIN your fence by cleaning it, and by STAINING it about every 4 years.
Initial Cost
Because wooden fencing is so customizable, you can install one very economically if you choose a basic fence style and wood type. Example: Treated pine side by side picket fence.
Wooden Fencing Disadvantages
Maintenance
The biggest disadvantage with wooden fencing is the maintenance required. The biggest part of the maintenance is that you should restain your fence about every 3 to 5 years (depending on the weathering – sunlight, rain, humidity, etc). Damage may also be caused by animals and insects (woods like cedar have natural insect repellent). Staining can cost a decent amount over the lifespan of a fence.
If you don’t maintain your fence you can expect: warping, splitting, and decay. However, if a high quality wood is used like western red cedar, it is more resistant even without the proper maintenance.
Initial Cost
Initial cost is an advantage AND disadvantage? YES. Although you can get a very economic fence with wooden fencing, you can also get a very high end wooden fence that can cost a pretty penny. In fact, with the best wood, thick steel posts, decorative finishes, premium stain, and all the bells and whistles, the price to build your fence can be very high.
Aluminum (Wrought Iron Style) Advantages
Elegant Appearance
Wrought iron style fencing, typically made from aluminum, not actual wrought iron, has a classic look. Some really like that element of sophistication that it adds to the curb appeal. You get the benefits of the wrought iron style without the maintenance burden that comes with true wrought iron.
Low Maintenance
Aluminum fencing is very durable, resistant to rust, corrosion, and weathering. Wrought iron style fencing (aluminum) doesn’t require frequent painting or rust-proofing. This makes wrought iron style a great option if you’re looking for a low maintenance fence.
Security
These fences are very strong and provide great security while also allowing you to see what’s on the other side of the fence. The security of these fences are especially great when coupled with the spike pointed pickets at the top, making the fence very hard to climb.
Long Lifespan
Wrought iron style fences are built to last. They can last 50 years or more with minimal maintenance.
Aluminum (Wrought Iron Style) Disadvantages
Limited Privacy
This disadvantage is rather glaring – you can see right through the fence. This may be an issue for those who don’t want their neighbors seeing everything you do in your yard.
Cost
Wrought iron style fencing in general costs more than wooden or chain link fencing. However, the long term benefits of low maintenance may outweigh this con.
Design limitations
Although a beautiful and classic look, wrought iron doesn’t allow for very much customization. You can customize the top with different tips, or have a flat top, you can get a puppy panel, and you can get some decorative pickets, but in general they look relatively similar – black bars.
Difficult repairs
Wrought iron style (aluminum) fencing may be the most difficult when it comes to repairs. This is because you may have to weld if a section is damaged. Custom or ornate designs can also be difficult to replace or fix.
Advantages of Chain Link
Low Cost
Chain link is one of the more economical fence types. You get a durable boundary without breaking the bank.
Low maintenance
Minimal upkeep is required for chain link fencing, especially if you get vinyl coated chain link. The normal galvanized or coated steel is good as well. An occasional wash is usually enough to keep the chainlink looking good.
Long lifespan and very Durable
Chain link is very durable and will last a long time. Chain Link can last 50 or more years if installed correctly.
Disadvantages of Chain Link
Aesthetics
Chain link is very practical, but it’s not winning any beauty competitions. Chain link just doesn’t have the visual appeal that a wrought iron, wood, vinyl, or composite fence would have.
No Privacy
Like with wrought iron, this one is obvious – you can see right through the fence. If you want privacy, this is not the fence for you.
Easy to climb - security concern
One of the biggest cons of chain link is that it is very easy to climb. This can pose a big security concern if you want to keep people out. The only way around this is to add something like barbed or razor wire on the top which most residential areas don’t allow.
Advantages of Vinyl
Low Maintenance
Vinyl requires very little maintenance. It doesn’t need to be painted or stained, and it doesn’t rot, warp, or splinter. You should however wash it with soap and water every so often
Good Customizability
There are a variety of styles, shapes, colors, and textures available for vinyl which can allow you to match the look of your home. There are many options with vinyl from the traditional white picket fence to something more modern.
Long Lifespan
Vinyl can last a very long time. Vinyl fencing is made from a type of plastic (PVC) which makes it resistant to weathering.
Disadvantages of Vinyl
Strength / Brittleness / Potential for Cracking
Vinyl fencing is generally strong enough for most residential purposes, however it is not nearly as strong as the other fence types – Aluminum, composite, wood, chain link.
Vinyl posts are relatively weak compared to steel / metal posts, and the vinyl paneling is also relatively weak compared to other fence types. For example, If a car were to drive into your fence, vinyl wouldn’t be able to do much in stopping a vehicle compared to the other fence types.
Brittleness can be a factor especially in cold climates where the plasticizers in vinyl, which make it flexible, can degrade over time, especially when combined with UV exposure from the sun.
High Initial cost
Vinyl is typically more expensive upfront than other types of fencing like wood, chain link, or even wrought iron style. However, the low maintenance cost can balance this initial cost out.
Melting point and heat sensitivity
Although Vinyl probably won’t melt, vinyl fencing can soften or warp under extreme heat. This can be a concern in hot climates like Texas. However, High quality vinyl is designed to withstand hot climates. Manufacturers will often add stabilizers and UV inhibitors to prevent this from happening. Make sure you’re not getting low quality vinyl.
Limited color choices
Although vinyl comes in various colors, it doesn’t have the same flexibility as wood when it comes to customization. Once you choose a color, it can be difficult to change it without replacing the entire fence.
Moderately difficult repairs
Vinyl fencing repairs are more difficult than chain link or wood because usually you will need to replace an entire section or panel rather than fixing a small area. Vinyl colors may also fade over time which can make matching the exact color more difficult.
Advantages of Composite
Low maintenance
Composite fencing doesn’t need to be painted or stained, and it’s resistant to rot, decay, weathering, and insects. A basic cleaning every so often should suffice for maintaining this type of fence.
Durability, strength, and long lifespan
Composite fencing can last up to 50 plus years if installed correctly. They are built to resist fading, warping, and cracking. Composite fencing is typically very strong and heavy.
Natural appearance
Composite fencing can give you the natural look of wood without the required maintenance.
Eco Friendly
Composite fencing is made from a mix of plastic and recycled wood, making it the most environmentally friendly option.
Disadvantages of Composite
High initial cost
Composite fencing is one of the most expensive fence options available. It may be worth it in the long run, but the initial cost is often too much of a barrier for many homeowners.
Heavy weight
Composite materials are typically heavier than wood and other fence types. This can cause it to be challenging to install.
Heavy weight
It can be difficult to find a reputable fence company that specializes in composite fencing. This can make repairing or even installing composite fencing more of a risk of getting a quality job done.
Which Fence Type is best for you?
Keep in mind that you may need more than just one type of fence for your property. It’s common to have more than one type of fence and/or style on one property.
In a nutshell, here’s what we’ve found to best pick the type of fence for your needs:
Aluminum (wrought iron style) fences are best for those who…
- Have a moderately high budget
- Don’t need privacy
- Want security
- Want an aesthetically appealing fence while still maintaining visibility through the fence
- Want to partition a part of the yard (partial fence)
Chain link fences are best for those who…
- Have a low budget
- Don’t need privacy
- Aren’t too worried about aesthetic appeal
- Aren’t worried about people climbing the fence
- Want to partition a part of the yard (like fencing off a section for your dog)
Composite fences are best for those who…
- Have a high budget
- Want privacy and security
- Want a low maintenance fence
- Want a robust and sturdy fence
- Still want the look of a wooden fence without the maintenance
Vinyl fences are best for those who…
- Have a high budget
- Want privacy
- Want a low maintenance fence
- Are ok with the limited color choices
- Are ok with the less robust material and posts (compared to the other fence types, Vinyl is still typically robust enough for most residential applications)
Wooden fences are best for those who…
- Have a low to high budget (many options)
- Want privacy and security
Want a custom designed fence - Want a robust and sturdy fence
- Want easy repairs in the future that all professionals or even handymen can handle
- Are ok with regular maintenance (restaining every 3 to 5 years)
