Vinyl vs. Aluminum Fence: Which One Fits Your Yard?

Start with the job the fence has to do

Almost every fence decision comes down to one question: do you want to block the view or keep it? Vinyl privacy panels give you a solid screen. Ornamental aluminum keeps sight lines open while still enclosing the yard.

Once you know which of those you want, material choice gets much simpler — and so does pricing, because the two materials are priced per linear foot with different height tiers.

Where vinyl wins

Vinyl privacy is the right call when you want screening from a neighbor, a road, or a pool deck. It never needs paint or stain, and it washes down with a garden hose.

• Full privacy in white, tan, grey or adobe
• No painting, staining or sanding — ever
• Won't rot, splinter or attract insects
• Picket or lattice toppers soften the wall look

Where aluminum wins

Aluminum is the choice on sloped yards, around pools, and anywhere you want the yard defined without losing the view. Racking panels follow grade instead of stepping, and powder-coated finishes don't rust like old wrought iron.

• Keeps views and airflow open
• Follows sloped ground cleanly
• Pool-code configurations available
• Black, bronze and white powder-coat finishes

How to decide in five minutes

Draw your yard in our online fence designer, pick a material and height, and you'll see a preliminary price for both options on your actual property lines. Change the material and the number updates — that comparison is usually all it takes.