Fence Cost Per Linear Foot

Top Privacy Fence Options

The best privacy fence depends on your budget, maintenance preference, and aesthetic goals:

Best Overall: Vinyl Privacy Fence

Vinyl solid-panel fences at 6-8 feet provide complete privacy with zero maintenance. No painting, staining, or sealing — ever. They won't rot, warp, or attract insects. The higher upfront cost ($20-$40/ft) is offset by decades of maintenance-free life.

Best Value: Wood Privacy Fence

Pressure-treated wood privacy fences offer solid privacy at the lowest cost ($15-$35/ft). They can be painted or stained in any color and are easy to repair. The trade-off is maintenance — plan on staining every 2-3 years.

Best for Neighbors: Board-on-Board

Board-on-board fences provide privacy while looking attractive from both sides. The overlapping boards also allow airflow, which reduces wind damage.

Best Long-Term: Composite

Composite fences look like wood but last 25-35 years with no maintenance. The highest upfront cost ($25-$55/ft) but the best lifetime value.

Annual Maintenance Checklist

A well-maintained wood fence can last 15-20 years. Follow this annual routine:

• Inspect for loose boards, leaning posts, and rot — especially at ground level
• Clean with a garden hose or light pressure wash (1,500-2,000 PSI max)
• Trim vegetation, vines, and tree branches away from the fence
• Repair damaged boards, tighten hardware, and re-secure loose rails

Staining and Sealing

Apply a quality wood stain or sealant every 2-3 years. This is the single most important thing you can do to extend your fence's life. Wait for a dry period with temperatures between 50-90°F. New pressure-treated wood should weather for 2-3 months before the first stain application.

Preventing Rot

The most common failure point is where posts meet the ground. Ensure posts are set in concrete (not bare soil) and that water drains away from the base. Keeping the bottom of fence boards 1-2 inches above ground prevents moisture wicking.

Most Affordable Privacy Fence Options

If budget is your primary concern, here are your best options from cheapest to most expensive:

• Bamboo: $10–$25/ft — cheapest eco-friendly privacy option
• Wood privacy: $15–$35/ft — cheapest durable privacy fence
• Cedar: $20–$45/ft — premium wood with natural rot resistance
• Vinyl: $20–$40/ft — cheapest long-term when factoring in zero maintenance

How to Save Money

• DIY installation saves 40-50% on labor costs
• Pressure-treated pine is the cheapest wood (vs. cedar or redwood)
• Standard 6-foot height costs less than 8-foot
• Straight runs cost less than lots of corners and angles
• Off-season installation (late fall/winter) may get better contractor rates

Cheapest vs. Best Value

The cheapest fence upfront isn't always the best value. A $15/ft wood fence lasting 12 years costs $1.25/ft per year. A $30/ft vinyl fence lasting 25 years costs $1.20/ft per year — actually cheaper over time.

Cost Comparison

Wood privacy fences cost $15-$35/ft installed, while vinyl runs $20-$40/ft. Wood is 25-40% cheaper upfront. However, wood requires staining ($1-$3/ft every 2-3 years), while vinyl needs only occasional hosing off.

Maintenance

Wood needs staining or sealing every 2-3 years, periodic board replacement, and annual inspection for rot and insect damage. Vinyl needs nothing beyond occasional cleaning with a garden hose — no painting, staining, or sealing ever.

Lifespan

Wood fences last 10-20 years with proper maintenance. Vinyl fences last 20-30 years with virtually no maintenance. Over a 30-year period, vinyl is often the cheaper option when you factor in wood maintenance and replacement costs.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose wood if you want the lowest upfront cost, prefer natural material, want to customize with paint or stain, or enjoy DIY maintenance. Choose vinyl if you want zero maintenance, prefer a longer lifespan, want consistent appearance over decades, or dislike yard work.