Choosing a fence
Wood vs. vinyl fence in Missouri: which is right for you?
Pick wood if you want a natural look and a lower cost up front, and you do not mind staining it every few years. Pick vinyl if you want a clean look and a fence you rarely have to think about. Both make a good privacy fence when they are built right.
Vinyl privacy fence along a long property line
Wood and vinyl side by side
| What to weigh | Wood | Vinyl |
|---|---|---|
| Cost up front | Lower | Higher |
| Looks | Natural grain that takes stain in the color you want | Clean, bright and uniform |
| Upkeep | Stain or sealer every few years | No paint and no stain. A quick rinse from the garden hose |
| Rot and warping | Treated lumber is made for ground contact, but it still needs care | Will not rot or warp |
| Fixing damage | Swap the damaged boards | Swap the damaged panel |
| Sloped yards | Can follow the ground or step down | Often steps down in level sections |
How they look
Wood looks right on almost any home, and it can be stained to match. Pressure treated pine is the most common choice here, and cedar is there if you want something else. Wood also changes with age, which some people like. Left alone, it fades toward gray.
Vinyl gives you crisp lines and a bright finish that looks about the same from year to year. It suits a newer home, and it is a good match when you want the fence to look finished without any work.
What each one asks of you
Wood needs stain or sealer every few years to last. Let new treated lumber dry out first, often for a few months. Sprinkle water on a board, and if it soaks in, it is ready. Keeping soil and plants off the boards helps too.
Vinyl will not need paint and will not give you splinters. A quick rinse from the garden hose brings it right back. If you know you will never get around to staining a fence, that alone can decide it.
How long each one lasts
There is no honest single number for either one. A wood fence depends on the lumber, how the posts are set and how well it is kept up. Vinyl depends on the quality of the material and the install. Either way, the posts usually decide how long a fence stays straight, so ask how they will be set.
How each handles Missouri weather
Missouri gives a fence hot summers, hard freezes, wet springs and strong wind. Wood handles the cold well, but water is what wears it down, which is why the stain matters. Vinyl gets stiffer in hard cold, so a sharp hit in winter is more likely to crack it. Quality vinyl and good installation hold up well in our winters.
Wind is about the fence style as much as the material. A solid privacy fence catches a lot of wind, so posts set deep and solid are what keep it standing. A shadowbox wood fence or a semi privacy vinyl fence lets some air through.
So which one should you pick?
Wood is usually the better fit if the budget comes first, you like a natural look, or you have a steep yard. Vinyl is usually the better fit if you want low upkeep, a bright clean look, or you would rather spend a little more now than stain a fence later.
We build both, so we have no reason to push one. On a free estimate we walk the fence line with you and show you how each would look on your yard. Call (573) 680-0410 or send the form.
FAQ
Questions we get a lot
Is wood or vinyl cheaper?
Wood usually costs less up front, and vinyl usually costs more. Over the years, wood adds the cost of stain or sealer, and vinyl does not.
Which makes a better privacy fence?
Both block the view fully when they are built solid. Wood privacy has boards tight together, and vinyl privacy uses solid panels. Pick by the look and the upkeep you want.
Does vinyl fence crack in Missouri winters?
Vinyl gets stiffer in hard cold, so a sharp hit in winter is more likely to crack it. Quality vinyl and good installation hold up well here.
Will you take out my old fence?
Yes. When we build your new fence, we take the old one out and haul it away free.
Free estimates
Get a free estimate
Tell us what you are fencing and where. We will set a time to come out, measure and give you a written quote. No charge, no pressure.
- (573) 680-0410
- Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- 10621 Hwy 28 Spur, Vienna, MO 65582
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Want a ballpark first? Try the instant estimator or see financing.