When choosing a fence for your property, two of the most popular options are vinyl and chain link fences. Both have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to cost. In this article, we’ll look at the upfront costs of purchasing and installing vinyl versus chain link fencing, as well as the long-term costs of maintaining each type of fence.
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Upfront Costs
In general, vinyl fencing is more expensive upfront than chain link fencing. Let’s break down the purchase and installation costs for each.
Vinyl Fence Upfront Costs
Vinyl fencing materials tend to cost $15-40 per linear foot. This can add up quickly for the average home. Some additional upfront costs for vinyl fencing include:
- Vinyl fencing materials: $15-40 per linear foot
- Optional decorative accessories like post caps: $2-8 per cap
- Excavation and concrete for securing posts: $100-300
- Labor for installation: averages $10-30 per linear foot
For a relatively small, 100-foot perimeter vinyl fence, total costs would be:
| Vinyl fencing materials (100′ at $30/ft) | $3,000 |
| Decorative post caps (10 at $5 each) | $50 |
| Concrete and excavation | $200 |
| Labor (100′ at $20/ft) | $2,000 |
| Total | $5,250 |
As you can see, the total upfront cost for a 100-foot vinyl fence could easily exceed $5,000 with labor and other expenses.
Chain Link Fence Upfront Costs
Chain link fencing is generally much cheaper upfront than vinyl fencing. Some expenses include:
- Chain link fencing materials: $5-15 per linear foot
- Fence posts: $10-25 per post
- Concrete for securing posts: $100-200
- Labor for installation: averages $2-6 per linear foot
For that same 100-foot perimeter fence, the chain link costs may be:
| Chain link fencing (100′ at $10/ft) | $1,000 |
| Fence posts (10 at $20 each) | $200 |
| Concrete | $150 |
| Labor (100′ at $4/ft) | $400 |
| Total | $1,750 |
For a 100-foot perimeter, you may spend $1,750 or less on a chain link fence compared to over $5,000 for vinyl.
Long-Term Costs and Maintenance
When evaluating the long-term costs of vinyl versus chain link fencing, vinyl often comes out ahead. Let’s look at the maintenance needs and costs over a 10 year span.
Vinyl Fence Long-Term Costs
Vinyl fences require very little maintenance over their lifetime. After installation, you can expect:
- No scraping, sanding or painting required
- No ongoing weatherproofing needed
- No repairs needed for rotting wood, warping, etc.
- Occasional hose-off to keep looking new
There are no major maintenance costs associated with vinyl fencing. It’s mostly cleaning when desired. This makes the long-term cost very low.
Chain Link Fence Long-Term Costs
Chain link requires more maintenance and costs over time. You may need:
- Occasional tightening of loose wires
- Re-stretching of sagging mesh
- Repair of broken wires or posts
- Replacement of corroded/rusted wires ($2-4 per foot)
- Full replacement in 10-15 years
These maintenance items can cost $500 or more over a 10 year span. And after 10-15 years, the entire chain link fence may need replacement at a cost of $1,500 or more.
Cost Comparison Over 10 Years
Let’s compare the total costs of vinyl vs chain link fencing over a 10 year period:
| Costs | Vinyl Fence | Chain Link Fence |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront purchase and installation costs | $5,250 | $1,750 |
| 10 year maintenance costs | $0 | $500 |
| Full replacement after 10-15 years | $0 | $1,500 |
| Total 10 Year Cost | $5,250 | $3,750 |
As you can see, while vinyl fencing has a much higher upfront cost, when you factor in the maintenance and replacement of chain link fencing, the 10 year total cost is similar for both options.
Conclusion
In the end, vinyl fencing may cost $1,500+ more upfront, but requires very little maintenance over its lifetime. Chain link has a lower initial purchase and installation price, but needs repairs and full replacement far sooner.
Over a 10 year span, the total costs for vinyl and chain link fences even out. And vinyl comes out ahead when you consider its longevity and lack of maintenance requirements. Vinyl fences can last 20-25 years with little upkeep.
If you don’t mind the occasional repairs and want a lower upfront price, chain link remains a decent temporary fencing choice. But for long-lasting, care-free security and aesthetics, vinyl is generally the better investment.