When most homeowners think of fencing in their yards, they imagine wood. It's beautiful, classic, and costs less to install than aluminum or vinyl. On the other hand, this doesn't necessarily make them the most cost-effective. Wood fences must be periodically stained/sealed to protect them from warping and other water damage. Even so, they probably won't last as long as a well-built aluminum or vinyl fence. Many aluminum and vinyl fencing manufacturers market their products as the last fence you'll ever need, and the slogan may very well be legitimate.

St. Louis Aluminum Fencing
Aluminum fencing was actually one of the first wood fencing alternatives but has taken a backseat to vinyl in recent years. Vinyl has expanded decorative options, largely retained the softer feel of wood, and although it costs more than aluminum, the price difference has been narrowing for some time, as the cost of aluminum has risen.

That said, if you're looking for durable, low maintenance, it never hurts to get estimates for both fencing materials. Aluminum prices fluctuate constantly, and some St. Louis aluminum fencing contractors may have access to some real bargains. Plus, while both forms of fencing have increased their decorative appeal, their looks are far from identical, and you may find you have a strong preference for one over the other.

St. Louis Vinyl Fencing
Any wood fence design, including panel, picket, and post-and-rail fencing can be built with vinyl. Older forms of vinyl may have had problems with the extreme temperature swings. Poor aging qualities also caused vinyl to fade with time. Both of these issues have been almost entirely eliminated with stronger vinyl and protective treatments. These improvements also allow vinyl to expand its decorative options. Combined with its pest, fire, and moisture resistance, many vinyl fencing manufacturers market their product as the last fence you'll ever need.

Installing a Vinyl or Aluminum Fence in St. Louis, MO
First and foremost, don't do it yourself. Fence building is too easily billed as a DIY project, and while it's certainly possible for some people, it's harder than most homeowners believe. Fence building kits may not take into consideration local conditions such as wind patterns and soil consistency. Setting fence posts involve a lot more than just digging holes. If you're installing perimeter fencing, there is also a good chance you'll need to have your property surveyed. Even if you can do all this yourself, you probably can't build a fence that is going to last like the pros can deliver, and if you're considering high performance fencing like aluminum or vinyl, you don't want to take any unnecessary risks.

St. Louis Vinyl and Aluminum Fencing Costs
So, how much more does the initial installation of an aluminum or vinyl fence in St. Louis cost? Our data suggests that the average aluminum fence costs $3,400, and the average vinyl fence costs $3,900. Meanwhile, a comparable wood fence might cost about $2,900 to install. One thousand dollars may sound like a lot, but with a couple hundred dollars worth of wood staining, and a fence that may not last longer than a decade or so, there is still little doubt that a vinyl or aluminum fence is the most cost-effective way to go. Of course, any successful fencing project starts with finding a quality contractor. Each and every professional in our system is put through a rigorous 10-step screening process, and we give homeowners access to our quality-controlled, online database of customer ratings and reviews. This database is a great resource for homeowners, who can see what other people have said about individual contractors.