Fence Finder Quiz

How the quiz works

Each answer adds points to the materials that fit it best. A pool answer favors aluminum, a privacy answer favors wood, vinyl and composite, a “no upkeep” answer favors vinyl and aluminum, and so on. The material with the most points is your best match, and the next one is your runner-up. Both come with the three reasons that mattered most in your answers and a typical price for a 150 ft fence.

From your result you can open the fence cost calculator with that material already chosen, or email yourself the results to come back to later.

Fence materials compared

Wood

• Best for: privacy on a budget and a classic look.
• Pros: the lowest cost for a full privacy fence, a warm natural look, many styles (privacy, shadowbox, picket, split rail), and boards that are easy to replace one at a time.
• Cons: needs cleaning and a sealer or stain every few years to slow weathering, and it can warp or crack over time in Georgia’s heat and humidity. See our wood fences.

PVC / vinyl

• Best for: privacy with almost no upkeep.
• Pros: never needs paint or stain, will not rot or attract termites, cleans with a garden hose, and comes in white, tan and other colors. Smooth panels give dogs nothing to climb.
• Cons: costs more up front than wood, and a damaged panel is usually replaced rather than patched. See our vinyl fences.

Aluminum

• Best for: pools, front yards and open views.
• Pros: will not rust, needs almost no care, follows slopes cleanly, and comes in styles built for pool barrier rules. It adds curb appeal without blocking the view.
• Cons: no privacy, and it is not as strong as steel against heavy impacts. See our aluminum fences.

Chain link

• Best for: the lowest cost per foot, pets and property lines.
• Pros: the most affordable fence, quick to install, durable, and available in black or green vinyl coating that blends into the yard.
• Cons: no privacy, and plain galvanized chain link has a utilitarian look. See our chain link fences.

Ornamental steel

• Best for: security and an upscale, estate look.
• Pros: the strongest residential fence, hard to climb, with spear or flat tops and matching drive gates that can be automated.
• Cons: costs more than aluminum, and scratches should be touched up to keep the finish protected. See our ornamental steel fences.

Composite

• Best for: the look of wood without the upkeep.
• Pros: resists rot and insects, never needs staining, and keeps an even color.
• Cons: the highest upfront price of the common materials, and fewer style choices than wood.

Choosing a fence in metro Atlanta and North Georgia

A few local factors are worth weighing along with the quiz:

• Humidity and sun. Long, humid summers are hard on unsealed wood. If you choose wood, plan on regular sealing, or pick vinyl, aluminum or composite to skip it.
• HOAs. Many neighborhoods limit materials, heights and colors, especially for front yards. If you have an HOA, check its rules first; our HOA Approval Packet helps you ask for approval.
• Pools. Pool barriers have their own height and gate rules. Aluminum is the most common choice for pool fences here. Confirm the rules with your city before you build.
• Slopes. Rolling lots are common across North Georgia. Aluminum, steel and chain link follow slopes easily; wood and vinyl privacy fences are usually stepped.

Frequently asked questions