Wood costs less up front: $20 to $50 per foot installed on national figures, against $30 to $60 for vinyl. Vinyl earns some of that back because it is never stained or sealed. The better choice depends on how much upkeep you are willing to do.
These price ranges are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Labor and material prices in Northeast Ohio 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 down |
| Weak point | Posts rot where they meet the soil | Can crack from a hard knock in deep cold |
| Repairs | Board by board | Often a full panel |
| Road salt | Wears the finish beside the street | No effect |
| Snow | Wet snow piled on it speeds rot | Sheds water, but a plow drift can break a panel |
| Look | Natural, any stain color | Uniform, limited colors |
Cedar or pressure-treated pine?
Choose cedar for the boards if you can afford it. It resists rot and insects with no treatment and stays straighter as it dries. Pressure-treated pine costs less and is rated to go in the ground, which makes it a sound post. A common build uses both: treated posts with cedar pickets.
Which fence lasts longest through freeze and thaw?
The fence with the deepest posts lasts longest. Frost attacks the footing, so shallow posts shorten the life of any material. Above the ground, aluminum and vinyl do not rot, and galvanized or coated chain link lasts for many years. Wood holds up when it is sealed and kept away from wet soil and snow piles.
What type of fence is best for my yard?
| You want | Good choices | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | 6-foot wood or vinyl | A solid fence catches all of the wind off the lake |
| A large dog | Tall 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 suburbs limit where it can go |
| Low upkeep | Vinyl or aluminum | Higher price at the start |
| A front yard | Aluminum or steel picket | Front fences have lower height limits |
Is aluminum fencing strong enough for a large dog?
For most dogs, yes. What matters more than strength is how tall the panel is and how far apart the pickets are. A dog that jumps needs more height. A small dog can squeeze through standard spacing, so order panels with closer pickets at the bottom.
We have a large dog, want privacy and do not want to spend a fortune. What makes sense?
A 6-foot privacy fence in pressure-treated pine, where your city allows 6 feet. No other solid fence costs less, and it is tall enough for most large dogs. To cut the bill further, use privacy fence only on the sides people can see into and chain link on the rest.
My neighbor has wood and wants me to match it so we can split the cost. I want vinyl.
You will both need to agree on a single material for the shared stretch, because one run is one fence. Put who pays what in writing. If no agreement comes, build your vinyl fence just inside your own line and leave theirs standing.
Will the new fence look the same on my neighbor's side?
With some styles, yes. Shadowbox wood and most vinyl panels look alike from either yard. Ordinary picket and stockade fences have a back, where the rails and posts show. Cleveland requires the finished or more decorative side to face outward, toward the neighbor or the street (section 358.06 of the Codified Ordinances). Shaker Heights, Lakewood, Strongsville and South Euclid have the same kind of rule.
The only real price is one measured in your yard. The estimate is free and comes in writing. Call (216) 238-3677 or text us a photo of the fence line.