Fence Comparison Chart

Compare the pros and cons, style & durability of wood, vinyl, metal, concrete fences & more.

There are a wide variety of material choices for residential fences. Your climate, the style of your home and the purpose of the fence will all play a role in selecting the best material. Whether you choose wood, vinyl, concrete or another fencing material, you’ll want to understand the basics of fence installation so you can ensure it is designed and built correctly. With quality materials and proper construction your new fence will last for many years to come.

Create Your Own Fence Quote to see what any of these options would cost to have supplied and installed by Premium Fence Co. This is a very simple and easy to use online quoting tool we designed specifically for our product offerings.

Cedar

Pros

  • Can be used to create curves.
  • Beautiful, natural appearance.
  • Can be finished with a stain or paint of your choice. More on painting vs staining wood fences here
  • Economically priced.

Cons

  • May rot & have problems with warpage.
  • Costs of fence lumber are rising, making manufactured products more considerable.
  • Read more on Cedar Vs Vinyl Fences

Styles

  • Versatile, only limited to your imagination.

Durability

Depends on:

  • Type of post.
  • Type of lumber.
  • Waterproofing.
  • Upkeep.

A hand-built cedar fence that is well maintained will last 25-30 years in BC.

Vinyl

Pros

  • Reliable products known to last for 10+ years without fading.
  • Adaptable to many architectural styles.
  • Compare Vinyl Fence and Cedar Fence costs here.

Cons

  • Limited colour options.
  • Darker colours are more costly.
  • Wide gates need reinforcement to prevent sagging.
  • More expensive than wood fences upfront – unless you factor in initial staining of a wood fence.

Styles

  • All of the popular wood fence styles are available in Vinyl now.
  • Privacy, picket, pool, ranch, you name it.

Durability

  • Low grade vinyl is vulnerable to degradation from exposure to high UV light and extreme temperatures.
  • US manufactured, virgin vinyl fences will last for 30 years plus.

Aluminum

Pros

  • Strong.
  • Long lasting.
  • Visually diverse & widely available.
  • Doesn’t rust.

Cons

  • Not as strong as iron.
  • More expensive than wood.

Styles

  • Modern architecture.
  • Ideal for straight lines.
  • Many variations of privacy, horizontal and picket styles are available.
  • Woodgrain look is now available.

Durability

  • Some aluminum fencing is more durable than steel, but not as stiff.
  • Good brands will last a lifetime.

Chain Link

Pros

  • Strong.
  • Long lasting.
  • Great for sports courts

Cons

  • Not the most attractive looking fence type.
  • Mesh or slats must be added for privacy.

Styles

  • Galvanized or black colour is most popular, can be powdercoated to match any other colour.

Durability

  • A thicker galvanization makes for a stronger fence overall which is more resistant to rust and corrosion.
  • Will generally last for 30 years plus.

Simtek

Pros

  • Extremely Resilient.
  • Graffiti can be cleaned off with strong chemicals.
  • Lifetime warranty.
  • Sound blocking qualities.
  • Maintenance free.

Cons

  • Very high priced, but excellent value for money.
  • Panels are not easily modified for variable terrain.

Styles

  • Wood look or stone look available.
  • Privacy styles only.

Durability

  • Will last a lifetime.
  • Can handle serious abuse.

Concrete

Pros

  • Solid, heavy duty fence.
  • Sound blocking.
  • Used for highway fencing.
  • Can be painted any colour.

Cons

  • Requires some maintenance.
  • Fairly high priced.
  • Panels are only 1” thick, and not impossible to break.

Styles

  • Wood look, stone look or lattice top options available.

Durability

  • 50 year design life.
  • Steel Reinforced.

Trex

Pros

  • 95% recycled materials, very eco-friendly fence.
  • Luxurious look of cedar, without the maintenance.
  • Stiffer and heavier than vinyl.

Cons

  • Fairly high priced.
  • Limited fence styles available.

Styles

  • 3 colour tones, just the one privacy style available in any height.

Durability

  • 25 Year Warranty.
  • Only requires cleaning!

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