Which is better, Wooden Fence or Vinyl?

Fences are meant to protect whatever they wrap around, but what if they can’t protect themselves from strong winds and possible damage?

The primary reason we put up fences is to keep our property secured. Whether the property is livable or not, we want to ensure that no one can freely access it whenever they wish. By protecting our property from intruders, we cover not just the property but everything else inside it–our family members, cars, pets, and farm animals. But how sure are we that they are protected? What if storms and strong winds started to pass over it? Will they still be secured? 

The answer may depend on the quality of fence materials we will use. Two of the most popular fence materials that you could use are wood and vinyl. These materials vary in different ways but provide the protection you need. The only question, however, is, which one is better in terms of security and durability? Let us help you find out as we share the strength and weaknesses of wooden and vinyl fences over the next section. 

Wooden and Vinyl Fences

Wood fences are probably one of the most popular among the four. As a matter of fact, it is the first thing that comes to our mind when we talk about fences. Remember, when we draw homes during our younger days, we often draw white wooden fences (a.k.a. Picket fences) surrounding them. If I had to imagine the finished version of it, there would be rows of lavender, blue hydrangeas, or climbing roses right at the back of it.

Photo: Artinsur Blogspot.com/Pinterest; Stocksy United/Pinterest

It looks lovely. But for sure, the fences in my imagination are just for aesthetics. If we consider the security it could provide, it will surely fail. Trespassers may find their way in and do whatever they want. And not only them. Wild animals like bears may also get in and find themselves comfortable while eating their favorite honey dip.

Those are some possibilities if one has decided to put up those white wooden fences and live nearby forests where wild animals live. Well, if that’s the case, there are still many forms of wooden fences that you can put up over your backyard.

Forms of wooden fences 

• Lattice - features diagonal slats that cross one another and are mainly used for gardening. This type of fence is perfect for training climbing plants.

Photo: Pinterest(right)

• Louve - consists of horizontal BUT narrow slats that are slanted like the old look of curtain blinds.

Photo: Takasho Global/IG(left); Nicolas Morel/Pinterest(right)

• Post and Rail - consists of horizontal posts usually placed 6 feet apart and 5 feet tall. These wooden fences are commonly seen on ranches and farms. It helps prevents livestock (except sheep and goats :D) from getting out. 

Photo: Crispin Jones on Unsplash(left); Molly/Pinterest(right)

• Vertical boards - consist of vertical slats that could be as high as six feet or more.

Photo: Andrej Lišakov on Unsplash(left); Pinterest(right)

• Solid Panels - consists of vertical and horizontal slabs above and beneath them. It provides privacy and security.

Photo: Home for the Harvest/Pinterest(left); Love Home Designs/Pinterest

• Woven Panels - decorative fences that look like the usual rattan furniture. This type of panel is aesthetically pleasing, but heavy maintenance is needed, making it very pricey to sustain. 

Photo: House of Art/Pinterest(Left); The Enduring Gardener / Pinterest (right)

If you’re taking wood as fence materials, here are some reminders; Some of them especially if not constructed properly could not withstand strong winds. Wooden fences are also prone to warping and cracking, mainly the low-grade lumbers. To prolong their fence life, they need to be maintained. Staining and sealing them every 3-5 years is a must. 

Now let’s move on with the second on our list, vinyl.

Vinyl fences are new compared to woods, but they were for quite some time. While not everyone took risks in using them, those who did benefitted greatly from doing so. Those who put up vinyl fences within the past twenty years witnessed how good this material was, and it was testified by their sons, daughters, and even neighbors. 

“I am glad that after 3 years, it is still holding up great.” - Jim B. 

“They do well in UV light. My parent's neighbor had this installed 15+ years ago, and they look brand new still. We’ve had ours for a few years and no issues” - Millenial Living/YT.

Aside from being durable, vinyl fences require low maintenance as well. It doesn’t get dirty quickly, and homeowners who have them under pine trees don’t find any problem with sap. If ever it does, simply use a power wash to clear stains. 

In terms of its capacity to withstand a strong storm, the damage could occur only if the vinyl fences are too rigid and probably if they weren’t built correctly. 

Conclusion

Which among the two popular fence options do you think will be the most promising for your home? 

Is it a wooden fence or vinyl? 

Each of these fence materials has its own strengths and weaknesses. To mitigate the chance of encountering its flaws, build a strong foundation for your fences, install them properly (do not force them to fit if they don’t), and maintain them regularly.   

And before putting up your fences, don’t forget to consult with a licensed land surveyor first to be sure of your property boundaries and be knowledgeable about the location of your underground utilities to avoid deadly explosions like the one below.

The man in the video survived.

According to the news source, the man said that the edge of the property is his, but the field where a gas main was situated belongs to a farmer and probably, the gas main probably overlaps with the man’s property below the ground. 

The same thing may happen in areas where gas main are very common. In one of our sister company’s projects, the construction team discovered a gas main in the site. The previous owner of the property probably didn’t know about it, so he didn’t tell them but the thankfully, it was discovered, and no one was hurt when their construction project started. We were able to avoid it by simply following the rules and regulations set by the local government and performing procedures that ensure everyone’s safety. 

Good construction practices matter.

This article was last updated on Dec 21, 2024