If you can find a good source of free pallets, a DIY wood pallet fence can be one of the cheapest options for a privacy fence. Pallets come in a few sizes, but the most common standard dimension is 48 inches by 40 inches, which means it can be on the short side for a fence.
Wooden Privacy Fences
Wood, for the most part, will be your cheapest option per foot when compared to vinyl and composite fencing.
Vinyl fences
Putting up a vinyl fence around your property is without a doubt one of the most cost-effective options. PVC Fence materials can be a little more expensive at first, but their long lifespan and little-to-no maintenance qualities will save you more money than any other fence material.
Vinyl is famous for being a low-maintenance, lightweight and stylish material which makes it not only one of the easiest fences to install yourself, but one of the most beautiful!
Luckily, buying fence panels costs around the same as building the fence from scratch. Of course, you can spend much more when building a fence from scratch. Having infinite possibilities and options is not always the best for your checkbook. Generally, however, the cost will be about the same.
Wood fences cost about $11 to $45 per linear foot for professional installation. The cost to install vinyl fences professionally is about $15 to $40 per linear foot. For DIY installation, wood is a less expensive material at $1 to $10 per linear foot, while vinyl costs about $10 to $30 per linear foot.
A vinyl fence or an aluminum fence can add to the resale value of a home, while a chain-link fence adds little to no value. Overall, the best way to increase property value with a fence is to choose a design that is both functional and attractive.
It's Vinyl. Long story short: Vinyl is hands down the material that is going to give you the most bang for your buck in terms of longevity. Vinyl fences can last over 30 years if they are properly maintained. And that maintenance doesn't actually require that much.
Chain-Link Fence
Chain-link fences are the most budget friendly of all the manufactured materials. It is easy to mass produce and therefore have the lowest down payment.
Save Money During the Off-Season
Whether it's because there were some surplus materials sitting in a warehouse, or because your contractor didn't have to pay their employees for overtime, fencing projects are generally cheaper during the fall and winter months.
Chain link fencing is a cheap fencing type that can serve your home for many years. This type of fencing's primary role is the creation of physical barriers for entry of intruders and the exit of pets and children at school playgrounds. The material is highly durable cheap and requires little maintenance.
Chain link fences are typically less expensive than wood fences. That's because the material is less expensive and the labor hours required for installation are usually less. However, add-ons like gates, vinyl coating or fabric screens will all increase the total cost per foot of a chain link fence.
Composite. Composite fences usually come in solid pre-made fence panels, which may require professional installation or take longer to install than vinyl or wooden ones but are often tall and provide excellent privacy.
Wood Privacy Fence
As the most popular material for privacy fences, wood is suitable For every type of home and landscape. The preferred options for wood fencing include: Pressure treaded pine – also includes Spruce and Fir. Cedar.
Common prices for a residential backyard fence by linear foot include: 100 linear feet: $2,300. 150 linear feet: $3,600. 300 linear feet: $6,900.
Con: Requires Maintenance
While most fences are relatively low maintenance, they do require some attention. For example, a wood fence will need to be stained or sealed to protect from the elements, and a vinyl fence may need to be washed every few months to avoid stains.
Privacy Fence
A solid fence is for complete privacy. For this one, the fence boards can be tight together or spaced ⅜ to ¼ inches apart. This is to allow the wood to expand and contract in wet and dry conditions. The second option, a board-on-board fence, can have 3 ½ inches of gap between the pickets.
Vinyl will also typically outlast wood fences, which are susceptible to weather, rot, insects, and other debilitating factors. It won't warp or fade, and should essentially look the same and hold up as well as the day it's installed, as long as it's cleaned as needed.
Typically, normal fences will have the presentable side with boards facing outwards, with the posts and stringers facing in towards the yard. But, a good neighbor fence is built differently and looks identical on both sides.
There is no set standard for residential fence height. However, each city has its own fence height regulations that you must adhere to. Common heights for front yard fences are around 3 feet, while common heights for backyard fences are between 6 and 8 feet.
Vinyl sits at number one in the ranking as a virtually indestructible, weather resistant option that requires little to no maintenance. Vinyl fencing is preferred among homeowners as an option that can stand up to the most extreme conditions.