Vinyl vs Wood Fences: Pros, Cons and Costs
How vinyl and wood privacy fences compare on cost, upkeep, durability and repairs in Ontario weather.
Wood and vinyl are the two most common privacy fences in the GTA. Both can look good and last. The difference is in cost, upkeep and how they handle damage.
| What matters | Vinyl | Wood |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Higher | Lower |
| Upkeep | Wash with a hose | Seal or stain every few years |
| Rot and insects | Not affected | Posts and boards can rot over time |
| Cold weather | Less flexible, a hard hit can crack a panel | Handles impacts, can warp or split |
| Repairs | Replace matching panels or boards | Easy to replace single boards |
| Look | Uniform colour | Natural, stain any colour |
Choose vinyl if
- You never want to paint or stain a fence
- You want a clean, uniform look
- The fence isn't likely to take hard hits from equipment or sports
Choose wood if
- You want the lowest cost per foot
- You like a natural or custom-stained look
- You want easy, cheap repairs down the road
- You want horizontal or board-on-board styles
Either way
Most fence problems start at the posts. Posts set deep enough for frost, with concrete shaped to shed water, matter more than the boards. And whichever you choose, check your city's height limits first. Our fence height guide lists them by city.
More detail: vinyl fences and wood fences.
Keep reading
Deck cost guide
Installed prices per sq ft by material, plus railings and stairs.
Learn moreFence cost guide
Installed prices per linear foot by fence type, plus gates.
Learn moreFence height bylaws by city
Front, side and rear yard limits for 28 GTA and Durham municipalities.
Learn moreToronto deck permit guide
When a Toronto deck needs a permit, and what else to check.
Learn moreQuestions
Which fence gives more privacy?
Can vinyl be painted or stained?
Tell us about your deck or fence
Send a few photos and rough measurements. We'll come back with next steps and a time to see the site.