Wood costs less up front, at $20 to $50 per foot installed in national figures, and vinyl costs more, at $30 to $60, but vinyl needs almost no upkeep. Count the stain and repairs wood needs over the years and the two end up closer than the first price suggests.
These price ranges are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Labor, material prices and the conditions on your lot in the Salt Lake Valley move the number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
| Wood | Vinyl | |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost per foot | $20 to $50 | $30 to $60 |
| Upkeep | Seal or stain every few years | Rinse it off |
| Weak point here | Sun cracking above ground, rot at the post base | Brittle in hard cold, sprinkler stains |
| Repairs | One board at a time | Usually a whole panel |
| Look | Natural, any stain color | Uniform, a short list of colors |
Cedar or pressure-treated pine?
Cedar for the boards if the budget allows. It resists rot and insects on its own, moves less as it dries and weathers to an even grey. Pressure-treated pine costs less and is a good choice for posts, which sit in the ground. Treated posts with cedar pickets is a common and sensible build. Either wood should be sealed here, because the sun at this altitude is hard on bare lumber.
Which fence lasts longest through freeze and thaw?
The one with the deepest, best-drained posts. Freeze and thaw works on the footing, not the panel. Vinyl, aluminum and steel do not rot, so with posts below frost depth they outlast wood. Wood lasts well too when the posts are deep, the concrete sheds water and sprinklers are aimed away from it.
What type of fence is best for my yard?
| You want | Good choices | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | 6-foot wood or vinyl | Solid panels catch canyon wind, so post size matters |
| A large dog | 5 or 6 foot wood, vinyl or chain link | Close the gap at the bottom |
| Small children | A solid fence with a self-latching gate | Put the latch out of reach |
| A pool | Aluminum or vinyl built to the pool code | The gate hardware gets inspected |
| Lowest cost | Chain link | Slats add privacy later |
| Low upkeep | Vinyl or aluminum | Costs more at the start |
| To keep the view | Aluminum or ornamental steel | Less privacy |
| A historic district | Wood or ornamental metal | Planning approval comes first |
Is aluminum fencing strong enough for a large dog?
Yes for most dogs. Strength is rarely the problem. Height and spacing are. A jumper needs a taller fence, and a small or slim dog needs tighter picket spacing near the ground. Tell us the breed and we match the panel to it.
We have a large dog, want privacy and do not want to spend a fortune. What makes sense?
A 6-foot wood privacy fence with dog-ear pickets on treated posts. It is the least expensive solid fence and tall enough for most big dogs. To save more, put privacy fence only on the sides where neighbors or a street can see in, and run chain link along the rest.
My neighbor has wood and wants me to match it so we can split the cost. I want vinyl.
A shared run has to be one fence, so the two of you need to settle on one material for that side and write down the split. The other sides of your yard can be vinyl. If you cannot agree, the usual answer is to build your own vinyl fence just inside your line and leave theirs alone.
Will the new fence look the same on my neighbor's side?
It depends on the style. Shadowbox wood, board-on-board with a cap and most vinyl look finished from both sides. A standard picket or dog-ear privacy fence has a face side and a rail side. Putting the face side toward the neighbor or the street is the usual courtesy, and some cities and HOAs require it.
The only way to get a real price for your yard is a free on-site estimate. Call (385) 402-8455 or text us a photo of the fence line.