Temporary Privacy Fences

Q: Vinyl vs Wood Fence: Which Is Better?

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.

Calculate Your Fence Cost

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Fence type

Overage % Extra material for uneven ground, spillage, and settling. 10% is typical.

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Recommended Materials

Bamboo Primary

$10 – $25/ft

Bamboo roll screens — the most affordable temporary privacy solution at $1–$4/ft.

Vinyl Primary

$20 – $40/ft

Vinyl freestanding panels — sturdy and weather-resistant temporary fencing.

Wood Alternative

$15 – $35/ft

Wood panel fences can serve as temporary barriers with removable post systems.

Metal Alternative

$20 – $50/ft

Metal frame temporary fences with fabric or mesh privacy screens.

Temporary Privacy Fences Cost Breakdown

Material	Per Linear Foot
Bamboo	$10 – $25
Vinyl	$20 – $40
Wood	$15 – $35
Metal	$20 – $50

Prices vary by region, height, and contractor.

Temporary privacy fences provide quick, removable privacy without permanent installation. They're ideal for renters who can't modify the property, event organizers who need one-day screening, homeowners who want seasonal privacy, and construction sites requiring temporary barriers.

The most popular temporary privacy fence types are freestanding panel fences (self-supporting panels that stand on weighted bases or feet — no posts, no digging), roll-out reed or bamboo screens (natural material rolls that attach to existing structures with ties or clips), fabric privacy screens (weather-resistant polyester or mesh screens that mount to temporary poles or existing fences), and expandable trellis fences (accordion-style wood or faux-wood panels that expand to cover an area and collapse flat for storage).

Freestanding privacy panels are the sturdiest temporary option. They use weighted bases (sand or water-filled) or wide foot plates to stay upright without being anchored in the ground. Standard sizes are 4x6 feet or 4x8 feet per panel, and panels connect together with simple clips or pins. Prices range from $40–$120 per panel depending on material.

Roll-out bamboo or reed screening is the most affordable option at $1–$4 per linear foot. Rolls are typically 4–6 feet tall and 10–16 feet long. They can be zip-tied to existing chain-link fences, hung from hooks on a wall, or attached to temporary poles. They provide 70–85% privacy depending on weave density.

For events and short-term use, fabric privacy screens offer the lightest and fastest solution. They stretch between temporary poles or frame supports and provide near-complete privacy. Many are printed or colored for a polished look. Rental companies offer temporary fence and screen packages for $5–$15 per linear foot per event.

Published February 15, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Best Fence for Privacy?

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.

How to Maintain a Wood Fence

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.

What Is the Cheapest Fence to Build?

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.

Vinyl vs Wood Fence: Which Is Better?

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.