Wood costs less up front: $20 to $50 per foot installed on national figures, compared with $30 to $60 for vinyl. Vinyl makes up some of that difference later, since it is never stained. On a sloped Pittsburgh lot there is one more thing to weigh, which is how each material follows the ground.
These price ranges are national figures that HomeGuide published for 2026. They are not our quotes. Labor rates, material prices and the conditions on your lot move the number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
| Wood | Vinyl | |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost per foot | $20 to $50 | $30 to $60 |
| Upkeep | Stain or seal every few years | Wash it |
| On a slope | Can be built board by board to any grade | Panels step, or rack only a limited amount |
| Weak point | Posts rot at ground level | Can crack from a hard knock in deep cold |
| Repairs | Board by board | Often a full panel |
| Damp, shaded yards | Grows moss and needs cleaning | Algae film washes off |
| Look | Natural, any stain color | Uniform, limited colors |
Cedar or pressure-treated pine?
Use cedar for the boards when you can afford it. It holds up to damp and insects without chemicals and stays straighter. Pressure-treated pine costs less and is made for ground contact, which makes it the sensible post. A common build here is treated posts and rails with cedar pickets.
Which fence lasts longest through freeze and thaw?
The fence with posts set below frost depth and good drainage in the hole. Frost attacks the footing, so the material above matters less than people expect. Among materials, aluminum and vinyl do not rot, and coated chain link lasts for decades. Wood does well when it is sealed and kept off wet ground.
What type of fence is best for my yard?
| You want | Good choices | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | 6-foot wood or vinyl | Not allowed everywhere. Mt. Lebanon requires half-open fence |
| A large dog | 5 or 6 foot chain link, wood or vinyl | Close the gap at the bottom on slopes |
| Small children | Solid fence with a self-latching gate | Mount the latch high |
| A pool | Aluminum or vinyl built to pool code | Gates are checked first at inspection |
| Lowest cost | Chain link | Black coated mesh looks better and resists rust |
| A steep yard | Aluminum, chain link or site-built wood | These follow the grade best |
| A front yard | Open ornamental metal or picket | Pittsburgh caps it at 4 feet |
Is aluminum fencing strong enough for a large dog?
For most dogs, yes. What stops a dog is the height and the picket spacing more than raw strength. Dogs that jump need a taller panel. Small dogs can get between standard pickets, so order the style with tighter spacing low down.
We have a large dog, want privacy and do not want to spend a fortune. What makes sense?
A 6-foot privacy fence in pressure-treated pine. It is the cheapest solid fence and high enough for most large dogs. To cut cost, use privacy fence on the sides people look in from and chain link on the back line or the hillside where nobody sees it.
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 material, so you both need to agree. Put the agreement and the split in writing. If you cannot agree, build your vinyl fence fully on your own side and leave theirs standing.
Will the new fence look the same on my neighbor's side?
That depends on the style. Shadowbox and most vinyl are the same on both faces. Stockade and standard picket have a rail side and a finished side. Pittsburgh's zoning code calls for the finished side to face the adjacent property, and Mt. Lebanon and Monroeville say the same in their fence rules.
The only real price is one based on your own yard. The estimate is free and done on site. Call (412) 851-6524 or text us a photo of the fence line.