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Wood Fencing
Wood is still the most popular material for residential fences. Here are the pros and cons of using wood.
Pros: Natural appearance, affordable, versatile - many design & style options, easy to install and repair, can be finished with stain or paint, easy to fix decorations, lights and planters.
Cons: Annual maintenance required, weathers quickly, may rot due to moisture, may warp due to moisture, can become infested with insects like termites, posts can fail and cause the fence to lean or fall.
Wrought Iron
Wrought iron fences are favored in higher end projects as they lend a more elegant and upscale look, when compared to wood, vinyl or chain link. However, appearance may take a backseat to other material types based on factors just as weather and cost.
Pros: Durable and strong, many styles and designs available, highly decorative/ornamental, good security - hard to climb, cut or knock down, good visibility - doesn't block views.
Cons: Rusts, requires considerable maintenance, expensive, provides little privacy, installation must be precise.
Vinyl
Vinyl fencing is made of PVC plastic. Typically, vinyl fences come in un-textured panels; however, some companies offer products that mimic stone or wood. Most manufacturers offer their fences in white or tan. Vinyl fences come in variety of styles including privacy, picket, post and rail and pool fencing. Check with fence distributors to see if matching gates, pergolas and arbors are available.
Pros: Virtually maintenance free, never needs painting, won't split, crack or splinter and may fade, can be cleaned by spraying with a hose, immune to insects and rot.
Cons: More expensive than wood, extreme temperatures can damage vinyl, color options are limited, repairs can be difficult, may have mildew problems.
Composite
Composite fencing is made of a combination of plastic and wood fibers. Depending on the company, composite fencing is available in individual boards or panels. Virtually any fence style that can be created with wood can also be created with composite materials, including privacy fences and good neighbor fences.
Pros: Low maintenance, less likely to rot, wide variety of colors and textures. Looks more like wood than vinyl, often comes with a 20+ year warranty, often made of recycled materials.
Cons: Weather may cause shrinking or expansion, color may fade, more expensive than wood, can develop mold, may stain.
Chain link is a popular fencing option when it comes to security fencing. According to Eagle Fence, a 6x50-foot roll of 11.5 gauge chain link cost around $105. But gauge size is only one factor to connsider when selling chain link fence security. Chain link offers contractors options not available when using other materials.
In today's security-concious world, fencing contractors can use safety concerns to to sell chain link fences, as unlike other fencing materials, it offers various levels of protection based on penetration time and wire gauge options. For security purposes, it's always important to keep in mind the size of the mesh and gauge of the wire.
''The profit margin typically depends on the volume and size of the project, ranging between 20 and 50 percent,'' said Chuck Naegele of Allied Consulting Inc. in Clarks Summit, Penn. ''A chain link fence project can be profitable when you have a large job with specifications designed by engineers or landscape architects.''
Francisco Uviña, University of New Mexico
Hardscape Oasis in Litchfield Park
Ash Nochian, Ph.D. Landscape Architect
November 12th, 2025
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