Wood, vinyl and chain link cover the vast majority of residential fences, and each wins on something different. Wood is the classic all-rounder, vinyl trades a higher upfront price for near-zero upkeep, and chain link is the cheapest way to enclose a yard. This guide compares them head to head so you can pick before you buy — then run your own numbers with the matching calculator.
The quick verdict
- Choose wood if you want the best balance of looks, privacy and price, and don’t mind occasional maintenance.
- Choose vinyl if you want privacy with almost no upkeep and will stay in the home long enough to earn back the higher cost.
- Choose chain link if the goal is security or containment (pets, kids) at the lowest cost, and privacy isn’t the point.
Cost
Chain link is the cheapest to buy and install, followed by wood, with vinyl the most expensive upfront:
- Chain link: roughly $10–$20 per foot installed.
- Wood: about $20–$40 per foot for pressure-treated; more for cedar.
- Vinyl: roughly $25–$45 per foot.
But upfront price isn’t the whole story. Vinyl’s higher cost buys decades of no staining or painting, so over a 20-year horizon it can come out even with or ahead of wood once you count maintenance. Run the Fence Cost Calculator with your run length and local prices to compare real totals rather than averages.
Privacy
- Wood: excellent — a solid privacy fence blocks sightlines completely, and you choose the height and style.
- Vinyl: excellent — privacy panels are solid and come in tall heights.
- Chain link: none by default; you can add privacy slats or screening, but it never matches a solid panel.
If privacy is the goal, it’s really wood vs. vinyl. Chain link is for containment, not seclusion.
Maintenance
This is where vinyl pulls ahead:
- Wood: the most work. Plan to clean and re-stain or re-seal every 2–3 years to prevent graying, rot and warping. Boards occasionally need replacing.
- Vinyl: almost none. An occasional hose-down is it — no painting, no staining, no rot.
- Chain link: very little. Galvanized or vinyl-coated mesh resists rust for years; the main task is keeping it tensioned.
Lifespan and durability
- Wood: 15–20 years with good maintenance, less if neglected. Vulnerable to rot, insects and warping.
- Vinyl: 20–30+ years. Won’t rot or peel, though it can crack in a hard impact and cheaper vinyl may yellow.
- Chain link: 15–20+ years. The fabric can bend and rust over time but is easy and cheap to repair.
Looks and curb appeal
Wood is the traditional favorite and generally adds the most curb appeal, especially cedar. Vinyl looks clean and uniform but reads as “plastic” to some buyers. Chain link is purely functional and adds little visual value — fine for a back or side yard, less so out front.
Which should you build?
Match the fence to the job:
- Front yard or entertaining space, privacy wanted, budget flexible: wood or vinyl.
- Long-term home, hate maintenance: vinyl.
- Back or side yard, pets or kids to contain, tight budget: chain link.
- Best all-round value: pressure-treated wood, if you’ll keep up with staining.
Once you’ve picked, get the exact materials with the right tool: the Fence Material Calculator for a wood build, or the Chain Link Fence Calculator for a chain link run. Both give a full parts list you can take straight to the store.
Cost and lifespan figures here are general planning ranges — confirm current local prices and product warranties before you buy.