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Quick answer: The main residential fence materials are pressure-treated wood, cedar, vinyl, chain link and ornamental metal; farms add woven, barbed and electric wire. Each trades upfront cost, maintenance, privacy and lifespan differently. This comparison explains those trade-offs without prices, so you can price your choices locally with our calculators and itemized quotes.
Material comparison at a glance
| Material | Privacy | Upfront | Maintenance | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood | High (privacy styles) | Lower | Stain/seal, board repair | Budget privacy |
| Cedar | High | Mid–higher | Stain or let grey | Natural look |
| Vinyl / PVC | High | Higher | Wash | Low maintenance |
| Chain link | Low | Lower | Very low | Pets, boundaries |
| Ornamental steel/aluminum | Low | Higher | Low | Front yards, pools (where allowed) |
| Woven / field wire | Low | Low per foot | Tensioning | Livestock |
| Barbed / high-tensile | None | Low per foot | Tensioning | Cattle (rural) |
| Electric | None | Low | Vegetation, energizer | Rotational grazing |
Upfront and maintenance labels are relative and vary by region and product grade.
How to choose
Start with the job the fence must do, then budget, then appearance:
- Privacy: wood or vinyl privacy styles, or board-on-board for no gaps.
- Containing pets or kids: chain link or any solid style; check height and climbability.
- Pool barrier: follow local pool rules exactly; ornamental metal and some vinyl systems are common.
- Livestock: wire fences guided by agricultural extension advice; see the farm fence guide.
- Curb appeal: picket, ornamental or horizontal wood, subject to front-yard bylaws.
Head-to-head guides
- Vinyl vs wood fence: upfront vs lifetime cost, repairs, climate.
- Chain link vs wood: containment vs privacy, wind loads, hybrids.
- DIY vs hire: labour, tools, warranty.
Styles compared (wood)
| Style | Boards per foot (5.5 in boards) | Privacy | Wind load |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spaced picket (2.5 in gap) | about 1.5 | Low | Low |
| Side-by-side (0.5 in gap) | about 2 | High, gaps may open | High |
| Board-on-board (1 in overlap) | about 2.7 | Very high | High |
| Shadowbox | about 2.4 | Medium–high | Medium |
| Horizontal | Depends on board spacing | Varies | Varies |
Board counts are geometry for the stated widths; run the fence picket calculator for yours.
Lifetime thinking
A fence lives for many years, so compare installed cost plus maintenance plus repairs over the time you expect to stay. Wood is cheaper upfront and costs stain and time later; vinyl costs more upfront and less later; chain link is usually the lowest on both but gives little privacy. Use the fence stain calculator to estimate recoat material and the fence cost calculator for each option.
Worked example
Figures below are illustrative examples (2026-10-29), not quotes or guarantees.
Assumptions: 180 ft backyard, homeowner staying 10 years. Option 1, PT wood privacy: installed $7,200; three stain recoats DIY at $450 each = $1,350; repairs $500; 10-year total $9,050. Option 2, vinyl privacy: installed $10,800; cleaning $100; repairs $300; total $11,200. Option 3, black vinyl-coated chain link: installed $4,700; repairs $200; total $4,900, but no privacy. Every figure is an invented input to show the method.
Climate notes
Freeze-thaw cycles favour posts set to local frost guidance in every material. Very cold temperatures can make some vinyl brittle under impact. Humid regions speed wood rot and mildew; hot sun accelerates wood checking and some colour fading. Coastal salt air demands well-coated metals.
Where to go next
Measure with how to measure a fence line, confirm rules with permits and property lines, then run the fence calculator.
How the materials age
Wood starts bright and turns grey if left unfinished; stain slows that and protects against moisture. Boards can cup, check and split over years, and posts eventually rot at grade. Vinyl keeps its colour for a long time, though some products can fade or become brittle in strong sun or cold; panels can crack on impact. Chain link galvanized coatings eventually dull and can rust at cut ends; vinyl-coated fabric can fade. Aluminum ornamental fences resist rust and need little upkeep but offer little privacy. Farm wire needs retensioning and repairs after storms or animal pressure.
Which material for which goal?
| Goal | Often a good fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Full privacy, natural look | Wood privacy or board-on-board | Solid screen, easy to stain |
| Privacy, low upkeep | Vinyl privacy | No staining; washable |
| Contain pets cheaply | Chain link | Durable, see-through |
| Decorative front yard | Aluminum or picket | Open, attractive, often meets height rules |
| Large rural areas | Woven or high-tensile wire | Lowest cost per foot over long runs |
Comparing quotes across materials
When you get quotes, ask each installer for the same scope: same length, same gates, same height, removal of the old fence included or not, and the same post setting method. Otherwise you compare apples to oranges. Put each quote's total and per-foot price side by side, then add your estimate of future maintenance for each material over the years you expect to stay. Our fence cost calculator helps you set this out.
Environmental considerations
Wood is renewable but treated lumber contains preservatives and should not be burned. Vinyl is durable but is a plastic with limited recycling options in many areas. Metals are widely recyclable. If this matters to you, ask suppliers about certified lumber, recycled content and take-back programs.
Matching gates and hardware
Each material has its own gate options. Wood gates sag without bracing; vinyl and aluminum gates come as kits matched to the system; chain link gates use steel frames and fork latches. Budget for self-closing hinges and latches where pool rules or pets require them, and check that the gate swings over the ground without dragging. Hardware quality affects daily use more than almost anything else on a fence.
Our suggestion
Price at least two materials with the fence cost calculator using real local prices before choosing.
Ask each installer which material they would choose for your yard, and why.
FAQ
Which fence material is cheapest?
Usually chain link or wire per foot; wood is often the cheapest privacy option. Confirm locally.
Which lasts longest?
Well-installed metal and vinyl often outlast wood; maintenance and climate decide.
Can I combine materials?
Yes, many yards mix materials by side.
Do you recommend brands?
No. We compare material types, not brands.