Vinyl fence installation Kingston ON

When it comes to fencing material, we come across different camps of customers - those who are open to different finishes and materials depending on their cost, function, durability and other parameters, and others who no matter what they’re presented with, will always go with one material based on a preconception, familiarity and just plain preference. Our Kingston fence installers are here to help achieve your vinyl fence goals!

Wood fencing has experienced a steady stream of popularity for the past century based on its durability, biodegradability, and its natural beauty. In the past few decades, however, vinyl fencing has become a major competitor. For those who aren’t loyal to any particular material, let’s break down the differences between wood and vinyl fences.

Price: When it comes to wood or vinyl fence installation cost, vinyl material sometimes is more expensive, but tends to require less time to install, therefore is cheaper in that sense. Replacement schedules for vinyl is spread further apart for vinyl, and therefore that’s another cost savings. However, if you’re dealing with cracks or damaged boards, vinyl fence repair is costlier than wood since the latter can be mended with tools you likely already own.

Maintenance: As we alluded to earlier, vinyl is the better option compared to wood when it comes to maintenance. Vinyl generally only needs occasional cleaning with a garden hose with no real need to get down and dirty to scrub. Wood is more high maintenance since it’s more porous and may allow more gunk to enter, although the pressure-treated wood that is popular these days attempts to minimize things like dirt and bugs from entering. Having said that, wood can withstand the appearance of dirt better than vinyl because the dirt tends to blend into the wood, whereas with vinyl, the debris is more obvious.

Longevity: If you’re thinking long-term and are basing a big part of your decision on durability, seriously consider vinyl fences as an option. Properly cared for and loved vinyl fencing can last 30 years, while the average lifespan for wood is 15-30 years, an important consideration when you're looking to protect your pets or children. One thing to consider is that wood planks are usually positioned in a way that allows some air to flow through, so in times of strong wind gusts, they can withstand that better than vinyl planks which are nudged tightly against each other.

Appearance: This is a subjective category and opinions can range from equal to wood being vastly superior in appearance. The general consensus, however, is that wood is the winner since it provides a natural beauty against the backdrop of your home and garden, whereas vinyl, no matter how you dress it up, looks man-made. Wood also has the advantage of homeowners being able to stain it different colours to their heart’s content, whereas it’s not really easy to paint vinyl fencing.

So who’s the winner here? In terms of pricing, maintenance and durability, vinyl is the winner. Wood wins in the appearance category. Of course, your decision also depends on your own preference. If you choose vinyl, our vinyl fence contractors will be with you every step of the vinyl fencing installation process and you’ll be able to enjoy it in no time.