Wood costs less up front, $20 to $50 per foot installed against $30 to $60 for vinyl in the national figures. Vinyl costs less to own, since it never needs stain. Which is better depends on how long you will stay and how much upkeep you will really do.
These price ranges are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Fairfield County labor, the material you pick and what is in the ground on your lot all move the real number. Last checked October 2026.
| Wood | Vinyl | |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost per foot | $20 to $50 | $30 to $60 |
| Upkeep | Clean and seal or stain from time to time | Hose it off |
| Weak point | Posts rot at the soil line | Can crack if struck in hard cold |
| Repairs | One board at a time | Usually a rail or a whole panel |
| Near salt water | Needs stainless or coated fasteners | Not affected by salt |
| Look | Natural, takes any stain color | Even, a short list of colors |
Cedar or pressure-treated pine?
Cedar for the boards if the budget allows, pine for the posts. Cedar holds its shape, resists rot without chemicals and weathers to an even gray. Pressure-treated pine costs less and stands up well in the ground. Many Connecticut fences combine the two.
Which fence lasts longest through freeze and thaw?
The one with the deepest posts. Stamford ground freezes and thaws over and over each winter, and a shallow post gets worked loose whatever it is made of. Above the ground, aluminum and vinyl do not rot or rust. Wood holds up when the posts are deep and the boards stay clear of soil and wet leaves.
What type of fence is best for my yard?
| You want | Good choices | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | 6-foot wood or vinyl | A solid fence catches wind, so post depth counts |
| A large dog | 5-foot or 6-foot wood, vinyl or chain link | Leave no gap along the ground |
| Small children | A solid or close-picket fence with a self-latching gate | Put the latch out of reach |
| A pool | Aluminum or vinyl built to the state pool code | The gate is what the inspector tests |
| Deer kept out | Tall deer fence or mesh on posts | Check the height limit for that yard |
| Lowest cost | Chain link | Slats can be added for privacy |
| A yard near the Sound | Vinyl or aluminum | Use stainless or coated hardware |
Is aluminum fencing strong enough for a large dog?
Yes for most dogs. What beats an aluminum fence is not force but height and spacing. A jumper needs a taller fence, and a small or thin dog needs pickets set closer together near the bottom. A determined digger needs the gap at the ground closed too.
We have a large dog, want privacy and do not want to spend a fortune. What makes sense?
Pressure-treated pine privacy fence, 6 feet tall, is the lowest-cost solid fence and high enough for most big dogs. You can save more by using it only on the sides that face neighbors and running chain link along a wooded back line.
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 stretch and write down how the cost is divided. Your other sides can be vinyl. If you cannot agree, you may build your own fence just inside your line and pay for it yourself.
Will the new fence look the same on my neighbor's side?
That depends on the style. Shadowbox, board-on-board with a cap, and most vinyl look finished from both yards. Stockade and plain picket have a face side and a rail side. The usual custom is to turn the face side out, and some towns require it, so we check.
We only give a firm price after seeing the yard, and the visit is free. Call (203) 409-8830 or text us a photo of the fence line.