Wood fence versus metal fence: Comparing durability, maintenance, and aesthetics
Want to ensure your garden or yard is safe and secure? Discover the differences between using wood fencing and metal fencing.
It’s summer, and now is a great time to hire a fence company and have one installed. As a homeowner, you probably realize that fencing in your yard is a great way to add curb appeal and to raise the property’s value. If you own or operate a business, you may want to fence in your parking lot or store.
You always need to think about the material out of which your new fence should be built. A custom metal fence might sound good, but perhaps a wooden one also has its charms for you.
Let’s talk about both of these options in detail right now.
Durability
The durability of a metal fence is one of its selling points. A metal chain-link style fence has some give to it, which will serve it well if it’s ever battered by heavy rain or winds.
However, a wooden fence does well in this area too. If you install a fence that’s made of pressure-treated wood, it should stand up to the elements just as well as a metal option might.
Maintenance
A metal fence might eventually rust. It will probably take several years for that to happen, though.
Wooden fences may look great when you first install them, but their maintenance usually costs more in the long run than you’ll see with metal fences. That’s because, even though wood looks good, it can’t stand up to the elements forever, even if it’s pressure-treated before it’s installed.
Usually, you’ll need to start replacing the posts and slats of a wooden fence around the five-year mark. You might be able to get 15-20 years out of a wooden fence, on average, but starting around year five, you can also expect to be doing costly yearly maintenance on it.
That can cost you thousands of dollars yearly, depending on how big the property is that the fence encircles. For a deeper understanding of the differences between wood and metal fences, you can explore the expertise of Viking Fence in commercial fencing solutions, which can provide valuable insights into factors like durability, maintenance, and aesthetics discussed in this article.
Aesthetics
You could accurately say that a metal fence and a wooden fence’s durability are basically on par with each other. It’s also correct that the maintenance of a wooden fence is usually more costly than a metal one. It’s in the area of aesthetics that wooden fences usually have metal ones beat, though.
It’s a matter of opinion, but most consumers seem to feel that wooden fences look better and more pleasing to the eye than metal ones. Chain-link metal fences seem rather dull and ordinary. A nice stockade-style wooden fence looks much better and customized, especially if you use one to encircle your yard.
Cedar wooden fences add aesthetic appeal to any property and can enhance the overall look of your outdoor space. When considering a cedar fence, it’s important to choose high-quality cedar wood and contact a reliable company like Cedar Mountain Fence for the proper installation and maintenance practices to maximize the longevity and benefits of your fence.
In general, metal fences last as long as wooden ones, and they’re considerably cheaper in most instances. Wooden fences look better, but they cost more to maintain as the years pass.
You must weigh all of these factors when you’re considering what kind of fence will work best for your home or place of business. Metal fences are more for functionality. Wooden ones indicate you care more about the property and are looking to impress anyone who happens to pass by.
