Wood costs less up front, at $20 to $50 per foot installed. Vinyl runs $30 to $60 and needs no staining. Over the life of the fence the gap narrows, because wood needs sealing and the odd new board.
The price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not quotes from The Saint Paul Fence Company. Local labor, material prices and what we find in your yard move a job 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 when dirty |
| In a Minnesota winter | Unbothered by cold; posts can rot at grade | Stiffens in deep cold and can crack on impact |
| Fixing damage | Swap single boards | Usually swap the panel |
| Appearance | Real grain, stain to any color | Uniform, limited colors |
Cedar or pressure-treated pine?
Choose cedar for what you see and treated pine for what goes in the ground. Cedar resists decay naturally, stays straighter and turns silver-gray if left bare. Pressure-treated pine is made for ground contact and costs less. A fence that is pine all the way through is the budget choice.
Which fence lasts longest through freeze and thaw?
The fence that lasts longest is the one whose posts sit below the frost, whatever it is made of. Above ground, aluminum and vinyl do not rot and galvanized chain link takes decades of weather. Vinyl is the one to protect in January, since a shovel or a thrown chunk of ice can crack it when it is very cold. Wood does well if the boards are kept off wet soil.
What type of fence is best for my yard?
We answer this on site, but the table covers most cases.
| You want | Good choices | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | 6-foot wood or vinyl | Allowed in side and rear yards in Saint Paul |
| A large dog | 5 or 6 foot wood, vinyl or chain link | Close any gap along the ground |
| Small children | Solid or close-picket fence, self-latching gate | Mount the latch high |
| A pool | Aluminum or vinyl to the pool barrier rule | The city inspects pool fences |
| Lowest cost | Chain link | No privacy |
| Least upkeep | Vinyl or aluminum | Higher price at the start |
| A front yard | Picket or open ornamental metal | 4 feet maximum in Saint Paul |
Is aluminum fencing strong enough for a large dog?
Yes, aluminum fencing is strong enough for nearly all dogs. Dogs get out by going over, under or between, not by breaking the fence. Choose the height for a jumper and look at the picket spacing if you also have a small dog.
We have a large dog, want privacy and do not want to spend a fortune. What makes sense?
If you have a large dog, want privacy and have a firm budget, build a 6-foot treated pine privacy fence where you need the screen and finish the rest of the yard in chain link. Pine is the least costly solid fence, 6 feet stops most large dogs, and Saint Paul allows that height in side and rear yards.
My neighbor has wood and wants me to match it so we can split the cost. I want vinyl.
One shared run can only be one material. Either agree on that stretch in writing, with the height and each person's share, or build your vinyl fence a little inside your own line. The other sides of your yard are yours to choose.
Will the new fence look the same on my neighbor's side?
What the fence looks like on the neighbor's side depends on the style. Shadowbox, board-on-board and most vinyl look finished from both yards. An ordinary privacy fence has a smooth face and a face with rails and posts. The usual practice, and a rule in many cities, is to turn the smooth face outward. We confirm what your city expects.
The only firm number is a written quote for your own yard, and the estimate is free. Call (651) 362-2183 or text us a photo of the fence line.