Fence Toppers for Privacy

Q: Vinyl vs Wood Fence: Which Is Better?

Cost Comparison Wood privacy fences cost $15-$35/ft installed, while vinyl runs $20-$40/ft. Wood is 25-40% cheaper upfront. However, wood requires staining ($1-$3/ft every 2-3 years), while vinyl needs only occasional hosing off. Maintenance Wood needs staining or sealing every 2-3 years, periodic board replacement, and annual inspection for rot and insect damage. Vinyl needs nothing beyond occasional cleaning with a garden hose — no painting, staining, or sealing ever. Lifespan Wood fences last 10-20 years with proper maintenance. Vinyl fences last 20-30 years with virtually no maintenance. Over a 30-year period, vinyl is often the cheaper option when you factor in wood maintenance and replacement costs. Which Should You Choose? Choose wood if you want the lowest upfront cost, prefer natural material, want to customize with paint or stain, or enjoy DIY maintenance. Choose vinyl if you want zero maintenance, prefer a longer lifespan, want consistent appearance over decades, or dislike yard work.

Calculate Your Fence Cost

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Fence type

Overage % Extra material for uneven ground, spillage, and settling. 10% is typical.

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Recommended Materials

Wood Primary

$15 – $35/ft

Wood lattice and trellis toppers — most affordable and easiest to customize.

Vinyl Primary

$20 – $40/ft

Vinyl lattice toppers match vinyl fences perfectly. Zero maintenance.

Cedar Alternative

$20 – $45/ft

Cedar lattice resists rot naturally — premium topper choice for wood fences.

Fence Toppers for Privacy Cost Breakdown

Material	Per Linear Foot
Wood	$15 – $35
Vinyl	$20 – $40
Cedar	$20 – $45

Prices vary by region, height, and contractor.

Fence toppers are the most cost-effective way to add 1–3 feet of height and privacy to an existing fence. Instead of tearing out a perfectly good 4-foot or 6-foot fence and rebuilding at a taller height, you add a topper that extends above the existing fence line.

The most popular fence topper types are lattice panels (wood or vinyl lattice that adds 1–2 feet of decorative height while allowing light and air through), trellis extensions (wood or metal frames that attach to the top of fence posts — ideal for climbing plants), privacy screen toppers (solid or semi-solid panels that mount above the existing fence for complete privacy), and post extenders (metal brackets that extend fence posts upward, allowing you to add boards or panels above the original height).

Lattice fence toppers are the most popular choice because they add height without creating a solid wall that catches wind. A 12-inch or 18-inch lattice panel on top of a 6-foot fence gives you effective 7–7.5 foot privacy without the structural demands of a full 8-foot solid fence.

Post extender kits are available in steel and aluminum, fitting standard 4x4 and 6x6 wood posts as well as vinyl post sleeves. They bolt or clamp onto existing posts and extend them 12–36 inches. Then you attach fence boards, lattice, or panels to the extended posts.

Pricing varies by type: lattice toppers run $3–$10 per linear foot, trellis extensions $5–$15/ft, post extender kits $15–$30 per post (plus the cost of additional fence boards), and complete privacy topper systems $8–$20/ft installed.

Before adding a topper, check local building codes — many areas regulate maximum fence height, and adding a topper may push your fence above the allowed limit. Also assess your existing posts: can they handle the additional height and wind load? Posts that are rotting or leaning should be replaced before adding toppers.

Published February 15, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Best Fence for Privacy?

Top Privacy Fence Options

The best privacy fence depends on your budget, maintenance preference, and aesthetic goals:

Best Overall: Vinyl Privacy Fence

Vinyl solid-panel fences at 6-8 feet provide complete privacy with zero maintenance. No painting, staining, or sealing — ever. They won't rot, warp, or attract insects. The higher upfront cost ($20-$40/ft) is offset by decades of maintenance-free life.

Best Value: Wood Privacy Fence

Pressure-treated wood privacy fences offer solid privacy at the lowest cost ($15-$35/ft). They can be painted or stained in any color and are easy to repair. The trade-off is maintenance — plan on staining every 2-3 years.

Best for Neighbors: Board-on-Board

Board-on-board fences provide privacy while looking attractive from both sides. The overlapping boards also allow airflow, which reduces wind damage.

Best Long-Term: Composite

Composite fences look like wood but last 25-35 years with no maintenance. The highest upfront cost ($25-$55/ft) but the best lifetime value.

How to Maintain a Wood Fence

Annual Maintenance Checklist

A well-maintained wood fence can last 15-20 years. Follow this annual routine:

Inspect for loose boards, leaning posts, and rot — especially at ground level
Clean with a garden hose or light pressure wash (1,500-2,000 PSI max)
Trim vegetation, vines, and tree branches away from the fence
Repair damaged boards, tighten hardware, and re-secure loose rails

Staining and Sealing

Apply a quality wood stain or sealant every 2-3 years. This is the single most important thing you can do to extend your fence's life. Wait for a dry period with temperatures between 50-90°F. New pressure-treated wood should weather for 2-3 months before the first stain application.

Preventing Rot

The most common failure point is where posts meet the ground. Ensure posts are set in concrete (not bare soil) and that water drains away from the base. Keeping the bottom of fence boards 1-2 inches above ground prevents moisture wicking.

What Is the Cheapest Fence to Build?

Most Affordable Privacy Fence Options

If budget is your primary concern, here are your best options from cheapest to most expensive:

Bamboo: $10–$25/ft — cheapest eco-friendly privacy option
Wood privacy: $15–$35/ft — cheapest durable privacy fence
Cedar: $20–$45/ft — premium wood with natural rot resistance
Vinyl: $20–$40/ft — cheapest long-term when factoring in zero maintenance

How to Save Money

DIY installation saves 40-50% on labor costs
Pressure-treated pine is the cheapest wood (vs. cedar or redwood)
Standard 6-foot height costs less than 8-foot
Straight runs cost less than lots of corners and angles
Off-season installation (late fall/winter) may get better contractor rates

Cheapest vs. Best Value

The cheapest fence upfront isn't always the best value. A $15/ft wood fence lasting 12 years costs $1.25/ft per year. A $30/ft vinyl fence lasting 25 years costs $1.20/ft per year — actually cheaper over time.

Vinyl vs Wood Fence: Which Is Better?

Cost Comparison

Wood privacy fences cost $15-$35/ft installed, while vinyl runs $20-$40/ft. Wood is 25-40% cheaper upfront. However, wood requires staining ($1-$3/ft every 2-3 years), while vinyl needs only occasional hosing off.

Maintenance

Wood needs staining or sealing every 2-3 years, periodic board replacement, and annual inspection for rot and insect damage. Vinyl needs nothing beyond occasional cleaning with a garden hose — no painting, staining, or sealing ever.

Lifespan

Wood fences last 10-20 years with proper maintenance. Vinyl fences last 20-30 years with virtually no maintenance. Over a 30-year period, vinyl is often the cheaper option when you factor in wood maintenance and replacement costs.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose wood if you want the lowest upfront cost, prefer natural material, want to customize with paint or stain, or enjoy DIY maintenance. Choose vinyl if you want zero maintenance, prefer a longer lifespan, want consistent appearance over decades, or dislike yard work.