How Long Do Fences Last: Comparing Different Fence Materials

When it comes to fencing for your home, you have many options to choose from. Whether you want to install a classic picket fence in your front yard or a hog wire fence to border off your garden, what you ultimately decide takes a few steps before work begins.

After choosing the type of fence installation, you need to select the material you want. There are pros and cons to each type of material, so let’s look at each!

Vinyl Fences

Vinyl fencing is on an upward trend as far as popularity for one particular reason: low maintenance. The type of maintenance you may need to conduct regularly is simply washing it off with a hose. Depending on what kind of fence you choose and its size, vinyl comes in on the cheaper side when it comes to installation.

However, with cheap cost and low maintenance come drawbacks. Vinyl may easily be damaged by extreme temperatures or severe weather, significantly cutting its lifespan. In addition, vinyl fences are not made of natural material and will look as such. So, if authenticity is important to you, vinyl is not.

Metal Fences

For superior longevity in your fence, metal material would be the way to go. Available in chain-link, aluminum, or iron, steel fences last several decades as the galvanized material helps prevent rust and corrosion for decades to come. Steel fences are impervious to rust and corrosion, but they are also far more durable than vinyl fencing.

The drawbacks to steel fencing are cost and look. Since metal fencing is made out of dense materials, the cost of hauling and installing is on the high end. Metal fence, link chain-link, only gives off a lonely and cold industrial feel, making it not a welcoming choice for a home.

Wood Fences

Wood fencing sits perfectly in the middle compared to metal and vinyl fencing. Depending on what type of wood you choose, a wood fence can last you anywhere from five to thirty or forty years. Wood fences offer the perfect blend of total cost and privacy achievable. In some cases, wood fencing can cost less than vinyl.

A major drawback to wood fences is the amount of maintenance needed. Moisture is a wood fence's number one enemy, so covering with paint or sealant is a regular job. However, if you don’t mind a little housework now and then, a wood fence provides a warm and natural feel to your property!

Contact KNO Woodworks for Wood Fence Install

If you decide on a wood fence or are considering a new deck or pergola installation in the Minneapolis area, trust in KNO Woodworks!

Start your project online today or give us a call at 612-226-5172!