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Through the ages, fences have been made from a variety of materials. Around my neighborhood, I see vinyl, cedar, metal and a number of other fence types. Which is best for you? The answer depends on your budget and stylistic preferences. Here are the pros and cons of homeowners’ most popular choices:

Vinyl

There’s much to recommend when it comes to vinyl fencing. It is manufactured in a range of styles, with decorative post caps to match, and there’s now a greater variety of colors and finishes to choose from. Perhaps the most appealing aspect is that you do not need to repaint vinyl. A hard-wearing material, it won’t warp, splinter, rot, split or blister. And it’s easy to clean; dirt can be washed away using only a sponge and hose (or a pressure washer). Though vinyl may initially cost more than wood, it’s less expensive over time.

There are of course negatives to be aware of. Dozens of styles are available, but design options are not unlimited with vinyl fencing, and its plastic appearance is not everyone’s favorite.

It’s tough stuff, to be sure, but vinyl can break — under high winds, for example, or upon impact from a kicked soccer ball. Minor damage (holes, cracks, etc.) is repaired with body filler followed by sanding and repainting. More extensive damage may require a replacement component, so if and when you install vinyl fencing, hang on to any spare parts. If your fence style is discontinued, that could mean you’re out of luck.

The construction of vinyl fencing is more complicated than you might expect. Rails are attached using specialized brackets or crimping tools, and posts must often be reinforced with concrete or metal stiffeners.

Last but not least, it’s important to note that vinyl is generally considered environmentally unfriendly. Toxins are produced when it’s manufactured, and the material is difficult to recycle.

Composites

Composite fencing (an engineered wood product) comes in a bewildering number of variations. Some fences have solid, not hollow, boards. Some are “capped” or “co-extruded” with a layer of PVC. And while multiple components are often required, construction in some cases is similar to that of a wood fence. Common to all composites is the fact they are made with recycled fibers, plastics and binding agents.

Due to manufactured textures and colors, composite fencing simulates wood more effectively than vinyl does, but if you opt for a solid color, there are fewer choices among composites. Like vinyl, composite fences require no staining or painting, and can easily be taken care of — only mild detergent and a hose are needed for cleaning. Durable and often backed by warranty, composite fencing is assembled, not with special brackets, but with traditional fasteners.

Another pro: Composite fencing is environmentally friendly. Up to 95 percent of materials used to make it are recycled, and some makers employ a nearly waste-free manufacturing system. Unfortunately  once manufactured, however, composite products cannot be recycled easily.

Another con: Compared to vinyl or wood, fewer styles are available with composite fencing, with designs mainly limited to fence types that involve boards — privacy, shadow box and post-and-rail fences, not to mention those with simple dog-ear pickets. Composites are also susceptible to scratching, staining, and fading.

Cost? Composite boards go for about twice as much as pressure-treated wood, and between the two, wood is easier to work with.

Wood

Wood fences have been a mainstay of the American landscape since the Colonial period. They can be crafted in a wide variety of styles, and painted or stained with innumerable colors. In some regions, cedar and redwood are the preferred material on account of their resistance to rot and insects, but several other wood species are also used. For longevity, pressure-treated wood is best, at least when it comes to structural members. Any non-pressure-treated pickets or boards should be coated with a preservative prior to finishing.

Initially, wood costs significantly less than either vinyl or composite, and if properly constructed and maintained, a wood fence will last for many years. And, unlike petro-based materials, wood is renewable if sustainably harvested.

On the other hand, wood requires more maintenance than other materials. A couple times per year, it should be rinsed off, and every three or four years, it should be repainted or finished with a stain. Cedar and redwood fencing may be left to weather naturally, but even so, a clear preservative should be applied every few years. Because of the additional maintenance required, the cost of wood fencing may ultimately equal or exceed that of other fence types.

Ornamental metal

In many ways, ornamental metal fencing combines the best qualities of other materials. Available in a wide variety of styles, it’s very low-maintenance and unsurpassed in durability. While cast iron was the norm for many decades, today’s standard is powder-coated, galvanized steel, aluminum, or a combination of aluminum and solid metal.

Maintenance is limited to an occasional hosing. If rust appears, it can be brushed off, or the metal can be treated with a rust-inhibiting primer and a fresh coat of paint. Even after many decades, metal fencing can easily be recycled.

Ornamental fencing is not without drawbacks. For one thing, repair work can be tricky. But metal fences are highly resistant to damage. Indeed, you can buy Civil War-era cast iron fencing that has outlasted the house it once surrounded.

Steel chain-link

Steel fencing takes many forms, the most popular of which is chain-link. Though it’s not normally thought of as pretty, chain-link fencing can certainly be used without becoming an eyesore. For starters, the mesh is immediately useful as a trellis for everything from moonflowers to morning glories.

Chain-link is sturdy, maintenance-free, durable and economical. Plus, it’s ideal for situations in which you want your fence to be see-through (burglars cannot hide behind chain-link, after all).

Installation is easy. Most of the fittings are tightened down with a socket wrench. The only special tool you may need is a second pair of hands to assist in pulling the mesh tight. While it’s often possible to re-stitch damaged mesh fabric, repairing a chain-link fence is relatively easy.

Another pro: Chain-link fencing is considered “green,” since any scrap metal dealer will be happy to receive (and may even pay for) one you’re discarding. Try that with an old vinyl or composite fence!

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