Lattice Privacy Fence Toppers

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

Shape Rect Circle Tri

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Fence type

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

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Recommended Materials

Vinyl Primary

$20 – $40/ft

Vinyl lattice toppers — zero maintenance, snap into vinyl post caps.

Wood Alternative

$15 – $35/ft

Wood lattice at $3–$6/ft. Paint or stain to match any fence.

Cedar Alternative

$20 – $45/ft

Cedar lattice at $5–$10/ft. Natural rot resistance, beautiful grain.

Lattice Privacy Fence Toppers Cost Breakdown

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

Prices vary by region, height, and contractor.

Lattice fence toppers add decorative height and partial privacy to existing fences. They're the most popular fence topper choice because they add visual height without creating a solid wind wall, allow filtered light through, and provide a support structure for climbing plants.

Lattice toppers come in two main materials: wood lattice (pressure-treated pine at $3–$6/ft or cedar at $5–$10/ft — available in diamond and square patterns, can be painted or stained to match your fence) and vinyl lattice (PVC at $4–$8/ft — available in white, tan, and gray, zero maintenance, won't rot or need painting).

Standard lattice panel sizes for toppers are 12 inches tall (adds subtle height — good for fences already at code maximum), 18 inches tall (the most popular topper height — meaningful privacy gain without requiring a permit in most areas), 24 inches tall (significant height addition — check local codes, as this may push your fence above the permitted height), and custom heights (lattice can be cut to any dimension with a circular saw for wood or fine-tooth saw for vinyl).

Mounting methods include direct mount (screw the lattice directly to the top of existing fence boards and posts — simplest method), channel mount (install U-channel strips on posts and slide the lattice panel into the channels — cleanest look), and frame mount (build a 2x2 or 1x3 frame around the lattice panel, then attach the frame to the fence — strongest and most finished appearance).

For vinyl fences, vinyl lattice toppers are available as factory-matched accessories from most major vinyl fence manufacturers. These snap or slide into the existing post caps and provide a seamless, integrated look. They're typically 12 or 18 inches tall and come in matching colors.

Privacy level depends on the lattice pattern and spacing. Standard diamond lattice provides about 50% privacy. Square lattice with tight spacing provides 60–70% privacy. For more privacy, train fast-growing vines through the lattice — star jasmine, Virginia creeper, or evergreen clematis will fill in within 1–2 growing seasons for near-complete privacy.

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.