Fencing · 25 cities

Vinyl vs wood fence: which lasts longer in your climate?

THE SHORT ANSWER

Across the 25 US cities we model, a vinyl fence lasts 20–32 years and a wood fence 10–21 years untreated. The vinyl fence outlasts it in every city, and climate decides by how much: the gap is widest in Mobile, AL (22–29 vs 10–13 years) and narrowest in Las Vegas, NV (21–27 vs 17–21). Wood here means an unstained cedar privacy fence.

Simulated vinyl fence in Seattle, WA after 10 years
Year 10Green algae on the shady side
MODEL SIMULATION
Seattle, WA · white PVC privacy panels, full sun
Color lossMinimal
BrittlenessMinimal
Mildew / rotHigh
Fails first hereShady side: green algae and mildew

Check your city

Side by side

Year 10 in four climates

Seattle, WA · Cool & damp

Vinyl fence in Seattle after 10 years (simulation)
Vinyl fence25–32 yrs expected
Wood fence in Seattle after 10 years (simulation)
Wood fence14–18 yrs expected

Phoenix, AZ · Hot & dry

Vinyl fence in Phoenix after 10 years (simulation)
Vinyl fence21–27 yrs expected
Wood fence in Phoenix after 10 years (simulation)
Wood fence16–21 yrs expected

Miami, FL · Hot & humid

Vinyl fence in Miami after 10 years (simulation)
Vinyl fence22–28 yrs expected
Wood fence in Miami after 10 years (simulation)
Wood fence10–13 yrs expected

Minneapolis, MN · Mixed

Vinyl fence in Minneapolis after 10 years (simulation)
Vinyl fence23–30 yrs expected
Wood fence in Minneapolis after 10 years (simulation)
Wood fence13–17 yrs expected

Every city

Expected life by city

Sorted by how much longer the vinyl fence lasts. Model estimates from 1991–2020 NOAA normals.

CityVinyl fenceWood fence (untreated)DifferenceMain threat to wood fence
Mobile, AL22–29 yrs10–13 yrs+14.0 yrsMoisture & decay
Miami, FL22–28 yrs10–13 yrs+13.5 yrsMoisture & decay
Tampa, FL22–28 yrs10–13 yrs+13.5 yrsMoisture & decay
New Orleans, LA22–29 yrs11–14 yrs+13.0 yrsMoisture & decay
Seattle, WA25–32 yrs14–18 yrs+12.5 yrsMoisture & decay
Portland, OR24–31 yrs13–17 yrs+12.5 yrsMoisture & decay
Charleston, SC23–30 yrs12–16 yrs+12.5 yrsMoisture & decay
Houston, TX22–29 yrs12–15 yrs+12.0 yrsMoisture & decay
Atlanta, GA22–28 yrs11–15 yrs+12.0 yrsMoisture & decay
Nashville, TN22–29 yrs12–15 yrs+12.0 yrsMoisture & decay
Chicago, IL23–30 yrs13–17 yrs+11.5 yrsMoisture & decay
Minneapolis, MN23–30 yrs13–17 yrs+11.5 yrsFreeze–thaw
Buffalo, NY23–30 yrs13–17 yrs+11.5 yrsFreeze–thaw
New York, NY23–30 yrs13–17 yrs+11.5 yrsMoisture & decay
Boston, MA23–30 yrs13–17 yrs+11.5 yrsFreeze–thaw
San Francisco, CA24–31 yrs15–20 yrs+10.0 yrsSun & UV
Austin, TX22–28 yrs13–17 yrs+10.0 yrsSun & UV
Dallas, TX22–28 yrs14–18 yrs+9.0 yrsSun & UV
San Diego, CA23–30 yrs16–21 yrs+8.0 yrsSun & UV
Denver, CO20–26 yrs13–17 yrs+8.0 yrsFreeze–thaw
Salt Lake City, UT21–27 yrs14–18 yrs+8.0 yrsFreeze–thaw
Los Angeles, CA22–29 yrs16–21 yrs+7.0 yrsSun & UV
Albuquerque, NM20–25 yrs14–18 yrs+6.5 yrsSun & UV
Phoenix, AZ21–27 yrs16–21 yrs+5.5 yrsSun & UV
Las Vegas, NV21–27 yrs17–21 yrs+5.0 yrsSun & UV

“Difference” = midpoint for the vinyl fence minus midpoint for the wood fence. Methodology.

Upkeep

What each one needs

Questions people ask

Which lasts longer, a vinyl fence or a wood fence?

A vinyl fence, in 25 of the 25 cities we model. Typical national ranges are 20–30 years for a vinyl fence and 15–20 years for a wood fence; local climate moves both. Sealing wood every 2–3 years adds roughly a third to its life in our model.

Is a vinyl fence better than a wood fence in damp, rainy climates?

In the 12 cities where moisture and decay is the main threat to a wood fence (for example Mobile, Miami, Tampa, New Orleans), our model gives the vinyl fence 13 years more on average.

Is a vinyl fence better than a wood fence in hot, sunny climates?

In the 8 cities where sun and UV is the main threat to a wood fence (for example San Francisco, Austin, Dallas, San Diego), our model gives the vinyl fence 8 years more on average.

Is a vinyl fence better than a wood fence in cold climates with many freeze–thaw days?

In the 5 cities where freeze–thaw is the main threat to a wood fence (for example Minneapolis, Buffalo, Boston, Denver), our model gives the vinyl fence 10 years more on average.

What upkeep does each need?

Vinyl fence: no sealing; wash in spring and fall to keep algae off shaded areas. Wood fence: clean and seal every 2–3 years in a dry spell; check board ends and post bases each spring.

More comparisons

Composite vs wood deck →Cedar vs pressure-treated deck →How long does a vinyl fence last? →How long does a wood fence last? →

Model simulation, not a guarantee: south-facing, full sun, no shade or ground-contact surprises.