Welcome to our guide to finding the best vinyl fence for your home!

Vinyl was first introduced into the agricultural industry in the 1980s as a low-cost, durable alternative to wooden fences for long lasting horse fencing. While sturdy, vinyl fences are much less likely to cause injury to horses who break through the fence.

While the agricultural models are incredibly sturdy, residential vinyl fences are less so, although they should still be suitable for corralling dogs, other pets, and even children.

When compared to all the other types of fences, vinyl is best for homeowners who like the look of wooden or wrought iron fences, but don’t have the time or inclination to do regular maintenance.

Maintenance is where vinyl really excels; they need only be cleaned with soap and water, they will not fade, and no primer or sealant is required. Homeowners never have to worry about rot or termites, so for many, vinyl is the best option.

The only caveat to this is that certain types of vinyl fences can have mildew problems, particularly if they are located near sprinklers. Mildew is easy to remove, as vinyl is non-porous, but should still be removed before the vinyl stains. To prevent this problem entirely, ensure that your fence is out of range of all of your sprinklers. (Source: Do It Yourself)

We’ve gone over a few benefits of vinyl fences, but you should still weigh the pros against the cons to determine if vinyl is right for you.

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Pros:

Easy Maintenance – as described above, maintenance is as easy as a quick wash with soap and water.
Simple installation – vinyl fences are usually sold in pre-built panels, so they’re simple to assemble.
Wide variety – vinyl fences are available in a wide variety of colors, textures, heights, and designs. It’ll be easy to find the perfect style to complement your home.
Environmentally friendly – vinyl fences are made from recycled materials.
Non-toxic – destructive animals will have a hard time taking a bite out of a vinyl fence, but if they do manage to ingest some, the material is non-toxic.
Durable – vinyl fences are suitable for locations with extreme weather conditions, due to their flexibility. They’re also well-suited for seaside locations, where salt exposure is inevitable.

Cons:

Upfront cost – vinyl fences are costly to purchase and install, but over time, the lack of money spent on maintenance will make up for the increased upfront cost.
Additional costs – homeowners should be prepared to pay extra to get all the features they desire. Customizability comes with a price tag.
Quality – cheaper vinyl fences are not nearly as durable, and may warp in high winds.

So how much do vinyl fences cost?

Homeowners should first consider the price of materials, including the fence posts, caps, hardware, and panels. You can expect to pay between $20 per linear foot for a picket fence, and up to $40 per linear foot for a privacy fence. (Source: Home Advisor)

Labor may cost another $35-$50 per hour. Most homeowners will spend, on average, $3,500 to have a vinyl fence professionally installed. Good news for DIYers, but not so much for homeowners without the time or inclination to put up their own fence.

Now that we’ve got a good idea about what a vinyl fence can and can’t do for you, let’s take a look at some awesome examples!

Common Types of Vinyl Fences

Dog Ear Vinyl Fence

The Dog Ear is very similar in appearance to picket fence except it has a concave shape from post to post. Learn more about this fence here.

More Vinyl Fence Designs

A lovely vinyl picket fence in white that meets a split rail fence. When fences are used for mostly decorative reasons, this can be a great way to save money. Choose a less expensive fence on the sides where your fence won’t be visible from the road.

Another lovely white vinyl picket fence with square post caps and a small curvature to each panel of the fence. This fence runs the length of a rather large yard. Only a few bits of plant life from the other side poke through.

A lovely contemporary home with a vinyl fence and gate visually blocking the walkway to the front door, but not the driveway. Because the property is slanted, the fence panels are installed on concrete wedges.

Source: Zillow Digs™

A tall vinyl wood-look privacy fence topped with lattice for additional style. Tall bushes and flowering trees cover parts of the bright white fence.

A simple vinyl privacy fence with a decorative border at the top that connects to a plaster fence. The result is a closed off, private backyard patio with exotic palm trees for shade.

Source: Zillow Digs™

A vinyl privacy fence with space between each slat. This is an example of an incredibly simple design that looks fantastic and performs its functions perfectly.

A residential vinyl fence with a gate leading to the front yard. The side of the fence shared with the neighbor has a decorative border at the top.

Source: Bob Reck / Flickr

A lovely white vinyl picket fence with a delicate scalloped silhouette. A small planting bed follows the fence around the yard, adding color to the yard.

A sleek modern vinyl fence in beige that surrounds this lovely patio and pool. The vinyl fence is topped by glass panels that slightly obscure the city lights pouring in.

Source: Zillow Digs™

A close up of a vinyl fence, showing the details on each cap and the sleek finish. Picket fences are a common design style in suburban areas.

A sleek white privacy fence with rows of plants in front of it. The height of the fence is such that no nosy neighbor could peer over.

Source: Anneheathen / Flickr

A beige vinyl fence with shutter-like slats. The color easily meshes with this Japanese style Zen garden, which usually feature bamboo fences.

Source: Zillow Digs™

Traditional Landscape by Newmarket Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Woodburn & Company Landscape Architecture, LLC

A lovely picket fence surrounding a colorful garden filled with black eyed susans and other types of daisies. A lovely way to add curb appeal.

Traditional Patio by Atlanta Interior Designers & Decorators The Design Atelier

A tall vinyl pool fence surrounding a luxurious backyard patio and pool complex.

Traditional Landscape by Medford Fencing & Gates Illusions Vinyl Fence

A black vinyl privacy fence with a simple contemporary design. This is an interesting take on a darker version of a fence, as typically homeowners choose a lighter color.

Traditional Spaces by Medford Fencing & Gates Illusions Vinyl Fence

A simple vinyl fence designed to resemble a wrought iron fence. The fence can be seen through, which keeps the beautiful view of the valley below visible.