Wood costs less up front: $20 to $50 per foot installed, against $30 to $60 for vinyl, in the national figures. Vinyl then costs almost nothing to keep. Wood wants a coat of sealer every few years and a board replaced now and then, which narrows the gap over the life of the fence.
These price ranges are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Labor rates in southern Alameda County, the cost of lumber and metal, and what we find 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 | Sealer or stain every few years | Wash with a hose |
| Weak point | Posts rot at the soil line | Strong sun chalks it; an impact can crack it |
| Repairs | Board by board | Usually a full panel |
| Look | Natural grain, any stain color | Even finish, limited colors |
Redwood, cedar or pressure-treated pine?
For boards, choose redwood or cedar. For posts, pressure-treated pine is a good choice. Redwood is the traditional fence board in the Bay Area. Its heartwood and cedar heartwood resist decay without treatment, and both move less than pine as they dry in the sun. Posts are different, because they live in the ground, and treated lumber is made for that. Most fences we see in Fremont pair redwood boards with treated posts.
Which fence lasts longest in sun, clay soil and winter rain?
Aluminum and vinyl last longest, since they cannot rot. Fremont has no freeze and thaw to speak of, so the cold-climate worries do not apply. What ages a wood fence here is a rainy season that soaks the clay around the posts, then six dry months of strong sun that shrink and check the boards. Over the hills in Livermore and Pleasanton the summer heat is harder still. Deep footings that drain, boards kept off the dirt, and sealer on the sunny face all add years.
What type of fence is best for my yard?
| You want | Good choices | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | 6-foot redwood, cedar or vinyl | Solid panels catch the afternoon wind |
| A large dog | 5 or 6 foot wood, vinyl or chain link | No gap at the bottom |
| Small children | A solid fence and a gate that latches itself | Mount the latch high |
| A pool | Aluminum or vinyl built to the state barrier rule | 60 inches minimum, gates inspected |
| Lowest cost | Chain link | Slats can be added for privacy |
| Low upkeep | Vinyl or aluminum | Higher first cost |
| A view lot in the hills | Open metal that follows the slope | Ask the Fire Department about hill rules |
Is aluminum fencing strong enough for a large dog?
For most dogs it is. What matters more is how tall the fence is and how far apart the pickets are. A dog that jumps needs extra height, and a small dog can slip between wide pickets unless the lower section is closely spaced.
We have a large dog, want privacy and do not want to spend a fortune. What makes sense?
A basic 6-foot dog-ear board fence in a standard grade. It gives full privacy, most large dogs cannot clear it, and nothing solid costs less. To trim the bill further, put the board fence where the neighbors or the street can see in, and run chain link on a side that faces a wall or a hedge.
My neighbor has wood and wants me to match it so we can split the cost. I want vinyl.
A shared stretch can only be one fence, so you two have to pick one material for it and put the cost split in writing. On the sides you do not share with that neighbor, build what you want. If you cannot agree, you can put your own fence just inside your line at your own cost.
Will the new fence look the same on my neighbor's side?
Only if you choose a style made that way. Board-on-board, shadowbox and most vinyl panels look the same from either side and are sold as good neighbor fences. Many Fremont rear fences are built with the panels alternating, so each yard gets the smooth face on every other section. An ordinary board fence has a rail side and a smooth side. Where the fence faces a street, Fremont requires the finished side to face out.
We can only give a real price after measuring the fence line. The visit is free and the quote is written. Call (510) 240-8149 or text a photo of the fence.