Pick the right fencing for you

Chain-link, vinyl, wood or wrought-iron: what kind of fence is right for you?

"You should really think about the purpose of the fence before you make your decision. Are you looking for something decorative or are you looking for privacy? Because that's going to determine what type of fence you should install," said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie's List.

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About any type of fence helps keep kids and pets corralled. Wood is most popular for privacy, but ornamental fencing adds the greatest value. If budget is driving your decision, chain-link and wood are the economical choices – about 13 and 16 dollars per square foot.

"You need to think about the initial investment as well as the maintenance of the fence throughout its life. Wood fences are beautiful, but remember, they need to be stained periodically. If you want maintenance-free, you might consider aluminum or vinyl," Hicks suggested.

Vinyl will run you about 30 dollars per square foot; aluminum about 10 dollars more. You may also want to consider steel for just a little more.

"Both products have the same aesthetic visual. Your steel products are much more rigid," said fencing professional Rod Smith. "They're going to sustain more abuse by children, dogs, than say the aluminum. The aluminum doesn't corrode or rust, but most of the steel products on the market have extensive coating warranties provided by your manufacturers."

No matter which material you use, make sure to hire a pro. Proper installation is guaranteed and your fencing will be higher quality.

"Most of your fence contractors are going to be able to offer a thicker-walled, better quality product than what you can purchase on the retail market, so using an actual fence company/installer versus buying retail is definitely to an advantage," Smith said.

Hicks says most contractors should offer a one- to two-year warranty to cover minor adjustments during the settling period. She also recommends planning far enough ahead to have this done during cold weather months when companies are less busy, which could save you as much as 30 percent on the cost of the project.

5 Steps of installing a Fence:

  • Decide on needs
  • Establish a budget
  • Research options, get multiple estimates
  • Get HOA approval, building permits
  • Contact utility-marking service (gas lines)

  • Fencing Costs:

    Fence installation costs vary by material. Top-rated fencing pros tell our team that, based on the average price for material type, and a typical fence length of 200 linear feet, here's what you can expect to spend:

    • $2,600 for chain-link, at $13 a foot
    • $3,200 for wood, at $16 a foot
    • $6,000 for vinyl, at $30 a foot
    • $8,000 for aluminum, at $40 a foot


    Angie's List members recently reported spending an average price of $4,578 for standard privacy fence installation.

    Most popular fence types:

    • Wrought iron – durable, many colors… expensive
    • Aluminum – becoming more popular; little maintenance required; durable… less expensive than wrought iron
    • Wood – offer great privacy; long-lasting, but require annual maintenance… prices vary
    • Vinyl (PVC)  – initially more expensive than wood, but require little maintenance; not susceptible to termites, other pests; color choices are limited; possible mold issues over time
    • Chain Link – most economic option, but not always approved by HOAs