Wood costs less up front: $20 to $50 per foot installed on national figures, compared with $30 to $60 for vinyl. Vinyl then saves you the staining and sealing that wood needs. The better choice is the one that matches how much maintenance you are willing to do.
These price ranges are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not Ann Arbor Fence quotes. Labor rates, material prices and what we find in your yard change the number. Last checked October 2026.
| Wood | Vinyl | |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost per foot | $20 to $50 | $30 to $60 |
| Upkeep | Stain or seal every few years | Wash once a year |
| Weak point | Posts soften at ground level | Brittle when struck in deep cold |
| Repairs | Board by board | Panel by panel |
| In shade | Stays damp, grows moss | Green film that washes off |
| Look | Natural, any stain color | Uniform, limited colors |
Cedar or pressure-treated pine?
Choose cedar for the boards when you can afford it. It resists decay and insects naturally and stays flatter as it dries. Pressure-treated pine costs less and is made for ground contact, which suits it to posts. A fence with treated posts and cedar boards is a common and sensible mix.
Which fence lasts longest through freeze and thaw?
Any fence lasts longest when its posts go below the frost line. Frost attacks the footing, so the material above ground matters less than the depth below it. Beyond that, aluminum and vinyl cannot rot, and coated chain link goes on for many years. Wood does well if it is sealed and can dry out between rains.
What type of fence is best for my yard?
| You want | Good choices | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | 6-foot wood or vinyl | Solid panels need strong posts in wind |
| A large dog | 5 or 6 foot wood, vinyl or chain link | 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 | The gate is checked hardest |
| To keep the view | Aluminum or steel picket | Does little against deer unless tall |
| Lowest cost | Chain link | Not accepted by every association |
| Low upkeep | Vinyl or aluminum | Higher price at the start |
Is aluminum fencing strong enough for a large dog?
For most large dogs it is. The questions are height and spacing, not strength. A dog that jumps needs a taller panel, and a small dog needs closer pickets near the ground so it cannot squeeze through.
We have a large dog, want privacy and do not want to spend a fortune. What makes sense?
Go with a 6-foot privacy fence in pressure-treated pine. Nothing solid costs less, and the height holds most big dogs. To trim the bill further, use privacy fence on the sides where neighbors look in and a cheaper open fence along a wooded back line.
My neighbor has wood and wants me to match it so we can split the cost. I want vinyl.
A shared run can only be one material, so you two need to agree or build separately. If you agree, put the split in writing. If you do not, you are free to put a vinyl fence on your own side of the line and leave theirs as it is.
Will the new fence look the same on my neighbor's side?
With some styles, yes. Shadowbox and most vinyl panels look alike from both sides. Ordinary privacy and picket fences have a face side and a side that shows rails and posts. Many local codes require the face side to point outward, toward the neighbor or the street. We check your community's rule.
We price every fence after seeing the yard. The estimate is free and comes in writing. Call (734) 441-3554 or text us a photo of the fence line.