Vinyl Fencing vs. Wood Fencing: Which one is stronger?

When it comes to landscaping and beautifying your yard, fencing is likely at the top of your mind. Having the right fence can enhance the beauty of your garden as well as keep your yard secure and private. With so many fencing options available, you might be wondering which type of material is the strongest, wood or vinyl.

Truth be told, both material options are strong and come with their own set of benefits and drawbacks. Deciding between the two depends on a few factors, such as your personal style, upkeep requirements, and cost. You also want your investment to last.

Before making a concrete decision, make sure that you understanding the following:

• Wood fencing basics
• Vinyl fencing basics
• The pros and cons of each
• Questions you can ask to help you decide
• Installation information

Don't jump the fence just yet! Below, you'll learn all there is to know about wood and vinyl fencing and determine which option is the strongest choice for your yard.

Classic and iconic, wood fencing has been around for a long time and with good reason. Wood is durable, stylish, and offers a natural, organic texture. You can stain and paint wood to customize it, or you can leave it as is and still have a nice-looking fence.

Generally, wood costs less upfront but can cost more over time due to the additional maintenance. According to BobVila.com, wood fences “may need to be cleaned, treated, sealed, stained and re-stained as weather and sunlight take their toll.” In other words, because it's made from organic material, wood can warp or decay over time. In fact, even with proper maintenance, wood fences may have to be replaced after 10 to 20 years of use.

At the same time,  they also have a tendency to attract mold and mildew. You'll probably need to pressure wash your fence periodically and use soap to keep it clean. Depending on where you live, your fence may require more frequent cleaning.

While wood fences can become damaged, they are fairly easy and simple to fix. It is unlikely that you will have to buy an entire fence panel to fix or replace only a couple of warped or rotten boards. Even if the wood is slightly different than the kind you have, you can get it close to the same color as your current fence.

• Fewer upfront costs but higher long-term costs
• Budget-friendly and easy to fix individual pieces from a section
• Made of natural materials but is more prone to damage caused by the elements
• Beautiful appearance and good durability but requires additional maintenance
• Can be painted or stained how you want

PVC or vinyl fencing is made of a hard plastic-type of material that is made to withstand the elements and be very low maintenance. Vinyl fencing typically costs more upfront than wood. However, there are more styles and finishes available for vinyl fences now than there used to be.

It is important to note that vinyl cannot be painted or stained, unlike wood., but it's very easy to clean. All you have to do is rinse it off or pressure wash it from time to time.

Even though vinyl fences are highly durable, sometimes damage happens which means repairs may be needed. For example, if a tree branch falls on your fence and breaks it, you will need to have it fixed. Vinyl fencing can be a little harder to fix than wood. For small cracks or minor issues, you can likely fix them yourself. Major repairs may require more work and the help of a fencing contractor.

Most vinyl fences are sold as large panels and not as individual pieces. This helps them look more cohesive when they are installed.  If one or two pieces in the panel are damaged, you may have to replace the entire panel. When this happens, it may be hard to find your fence style because manufacturers change styles and yours may have been discontinued.

• Resistant to natural elements and easy to clean and maintain
• More upfront costs but less long-term costs
• Cannot be painted or stained but looks trendy and sleek
• Can be challenging and costly to repair

Now that you have the important basic information about both vinyl and wood fence options as well as the pros and cons of each, you might be wondering how to choose between them. Before you decide, here are a few questions to ask yourself:

• Do I want a natural material like wood, or would I prefer a sleek look like vinyl?
• What is my budget?
• What are the short-term and long-term costs for each type of fence?
• Am I okay with having to put in a little more maintenance, or do I want something virtually maintenance-free?
• Do I live in a region that has harsh natural elements?
• How easy is each type of fence to install?

Both wood and vinyl fencing take work to install, which the average homeowner may not be able to do. TheSpruce.com states that “digging post holes and setting posts is a very difficult task. Typically fence posts should be buried to at least one-third of their length (and deeper in some cold-weather climates). After that, the posts must be set in concrete.”

Now think about doing that dozens of times over to complete your entire yard, and it becomes clear why most people contract fencing jobs to professionals. While it may seem like a DIY task you can do, it may be worth the cost (and the backache) to seek outside help.

Sprucing up your yard, planting a garden, and getting a new fence is no easy task. When it comes to deciding between vinyl or wood fencing, keep the various pros and cons of each in mind. No matter what material you go with, your yard will be safe, secure, and stunning.