Wood costs less up front: $20 to $50 per foot installed in the national figures, where vinyl is $30 to $60. Vinyl earns some of that back because it never needs stain or sealer. The right pick depends on your budget today and how much weekend work you are willing to do later.
Price ranges are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026, not our own quotes. Local labor, material prices and what we find 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 | Clean and seal every few years | Wash off mildew |
| Weak point | Rot at the soil line, warping in sun | Whole panels can blow out in high wind |
| Repairs | Board by board | Usually by the panel |
| Humidity | Grows mildew and algae, needs sealing | Mildew wipes off |
| Look | Natural, any stain color | Uniform, limited colors |
Cedar or pressure-treated pine?
Use cedar for pickets when you can afford it. It has natural resistance to decay and insects, and it stays flatter in the sun. Pressure-treated pine costs less, is the common fence lumber in Tennessee, and is made for ground contact, which makes it the sensible post. A treated pine frame with cedar pickets is a frequent middle choice.
Which fence lasts longest through freeze and thaw?
Freeze and thaw is not the main enemy here. Heat, humidity, termites and wind are. Against those, aluminum and vinyl last longest above ground because neither rots, and coated chain link is close behind. Wood lasts when it is treated, sealed and kept from sitting wet. Whatever the material, the fence lasts longest when the posts are deep enough to stand up to a storm.
What type of fence is best for my yard?
| You want | Good choices | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | 6-foot wood or vinyl | Solid panels catch storm wind |
| A large dog | 5 or 6 foot wood, vinyl or chain link | Close the gap along the bottom |
| Small children | Solid fence with a self-latching gate | Mount the latch high |
| A pool | Aluminum or vinyl built to pool code | Gates are checked first |
| Lowest cost | Chain link | Many HOAs limit it |
| Low upkeep | Vinyl or aluminum | Higher price at the start |
| Acreage | Board, wire or chain link with farm gates | Find the corners first |
Is aluminum fencing strong enough for a large dog?
For most large dogs it is. What matters is how tall the panel is and how far apart the pickets are. Choose a taller grade for a dog that jumps. Choose panels with tighter picket spacing near the ground if you also have a small dog or a puppy.
We have a large dog, want privacy and do not want to spend a fortune. What makes sense?
A 6-foot dog-ear privacy fence in pressure-treated pine. It costs the least of the solid fences and is high enough for nearly all big dogs. To trim the price further, use privacy fence on the sides that face neighbors and a less expensive fence where the yard backs onto woods or a field, if your covenants allow two types.
My neighbor has wood and wants me to match it so we can split the cost. I want vinyl.
You need one decision for the shared run, since it is a single fence. Talk it through and put the agreed material and the split in writing. If you cannot agree, you are free to build vinyl a little inside your own line at your own cost and leave their wood fence as it is, subject to your HOA.
Will the new fence look the same on my neighbor's side?
That depends on the style. Shadowbox and most vinyl privacy panels look alike from both yards. A stockade or dog-ear fence has a smooth face and a back that shows rails and posts. Many covenants and some local rules want the smooth face turned outward, so we check which applies before we set the rails.
The only real price is one based on your yard. Call (931) 293-9766 for a free on-site estimate, or text us a photo of the fence line.