Privacy Fence Gates

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.

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Shape Rect Circle Tri

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

Depth (in)

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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

Most common gate material — easy to customize and matches wood fence panels.

Vinyl Primary

$20 – $40/ft

Vinyl gates match vinyl fence systems. Factory-made for consistent quality.

Cedar Primary

$20 – $45/ft

Cedar gates are naturally rot-resistant and age beautifully.

Metal Alternative

$20 – $50/ft

Steel or aluminum gate frames provide maximum strength and sag resistance.

Aluminum Alternative

$25 – $55/ft

Lightweight aluminum gates won't rust — ideal for pool enclosures.

Privacy Fence Gates Cost Breakdown

Material	Per Linear Foot
Wood	$15 – $35
Vinyl	$20 – $40
Cedar	$20 – $45
Metal	$20 – $50
Aluminum	$25 – $55

Prices vary by region, height, and contractor.

A privacy fence is only as functional as its gate. Whether you need a simple walk-through gate for foot traffic or a wide double-swing gate for vehicle access, the gate is the hardest-working part of your fence.

The most common privacy fence gate types are single walk gates (3–4 feet wide, designed for pedestrian access — the standard choice for backyard entry), double drive gates (8–12 feet wide, two gate panels that swing open for vehicle or equipment access), and sliding gates (roll along a track instead of swinging — ideal for driveways with limited swing clearance).

Gate hardware is critical to long-term performance. Self-closing hinges ($15–$30/pair) automatically pull the gate shut — required by code for pool enclosures. Heavy-duty strap hinges ($20–$50/pair) support the weight of solid privacy panels without sagging. Gate latches range from simple thumb latches ($10–$20) to keyed locks ($25–$60) to magnetic latches ($15–$35). Anti-sag gate kits ($15–$30) use a diagonal cable and turnbuckle to prevent the gate from drooping over time.

Gate costs vary by material and size. A standard 4-foot wood privacy gate costs $150–$350 installed. Vinyl gates run $200–$500. Metal-framed gates with wood or vinyl infill cost $300–$700. Double drive gates are roughly 2.5x the cost of a single gate.

The biggest issue with privacy fence gates is sagging. A solid 6-foot privacy gate is heavy, and gravity pulls the latch side down over time. To prevent this: use a gate frame kit with diagonal bracing, install heavy-duty hinges rated for the gate weight, set gate posts in concrete at least 30 inches deep (deeper than line posts), and consider steel gate posts even if the rest of the fence uses wood.

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.