Wood costs less up front: $20 to $50 per foot installed in the national figures, compared with $30 to $60 for vinyl. Vinyl makes up some of the difference later, since it is never stained or sealed. The better fence is the one whose upkeep you will really do.
Price ranges are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026, not our own quotes. Local labor, material prices and the conditions in your yard move the number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
| Wood | Vinyl | |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost per foot | $20 to $50 | $30 to $60 |
| Upkeep | Stain or seal every few years | Wash it |
| Weak point | Posts rot at ground level in damp soil | Brittle in deep cold if struck hard |
| Repairs | Board by board | Usually a full panel |
| Wind | Boards can be replaced after a storm | Needs reinforced rails on exposed runs |
| Look | Natural, any stain color | Uniform, limited colors |
Cedar or pressure-treated pine?
Use cedar for the boards when you can afford it and treated pine for the posts. Cedar resists decay naturally and stays flatter through our wet springs and dry late summers. Treated pine is rated to sit in the ground and costs less, which makes it the sensible post.
Which fence lasts longest through freeze and thaw?
Any fence lasts longest when its posts go below the frost line. Freezing ground moves the footing first and the rest follows. Above the ground, aluminum and vinyl do not rot, and coated chain link lasts for decades. Wood does well if it is sealed and kept clear of wet soil.
What type of fence is best for my yard?
| You want | Good choices | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | 6-foot wood or vinyl | Side and rear yards only in Springfield |
| A large dog | 5 or 6 foot chain link, wood or vinyl | Close the gap at the ground |
| Small children | A solid fence with a self-latching gate | Mount the latch high |
| A pool | Aluminum or vinyl built to pool code | Inspectors look hardest at the gate |
| Lowest cost | Chain link | Some covenants do not allow it |
| Low upkeep | Vinyl or aluminum | Higher price at the start |
| A front yard | Aluminum or steel picket, 4 feet or less | Must be at least half open |
Is aluminum fencing strong enough for a large dog?
For most large dogs, yes. The questions are height and picket spacing, not strength. Pick a taller panel for a dog that jumps. For a small dog that shares the yard, order panels with closer pickets along the bottom.
We have a large dog, want privacy and do not want to spend a fortune. What makes sense?
Pressure-treated pine privacy fence at 6 feet. It is the lowest priced solid fence and high enough for nearly any dog. To cut the cost further, use privacy boards only on the sides that face neighbors or a street and chain link on the back line.
My neighbor has wood and wants me to match it so we can split the cost. I want vinyl.
A shared stretch can only be one material, so one of you has to give way. Put the agreement and the split in writing. If you cannot settle it, build your vinyl fence fully on your own side of the line and let the neighbor keep theirs.
Will the new fence look the same on my neighbor's side?
That depends on the style. Shadowbox and most vinyl panels look alike from either yard. Ordinary privacy and picket fence has a face side and a rail side. Ask your town or association whether the face side has to point outward. We normally build it that way.
A real price needs a look at the yard. The on-site estimate is free. Call (217) 262-9381 or text us a photo of the fence line.