Wood costs less up front ($20 to $50 per foot installed in national figures) and vinyl costs more ($30 to $60). Vinyl needs washing and little else. Wood needs sealing and the odd new picket, so the gap narrows over the years.
These price ranges are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Labor, material prices and what we find in your yard decide the real number in Amarillo. Last checked October 2026.
| Wood | Vinyl | |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost per foot | $20 to $50 | $30 to $60 |
| Upkeep | Seal or stain every few years | Rinse off the dust |
| Weak point here | Sun dries and splits it, posts snap in wind | Hail and hard cold can crack older panels |
| Repairs | One picket at a time | Usually a whole panel |
| Wind | Can be built with gaps or heavier posts | Needs a product and posts rated for wind |
Cedar or pressure-treated pine?
Cedar for the pickets, in most Amarillo yards. It moves less as it dries and resists insects and decay on its own. Pressure-treated pine is cheaper and takes ground contact, but it tends to twist in dry air. Many fences here pair cedar pickets with galvanized steel posts, which removes the wood post as the weak link.
Which fence lasts longest in wind, hail and sun?
The fence lasts longest when the posts are right. Steel posts set deep and close together matter more than the choice of board. For material, aluminum and galvanized chain link shrug off sun and let wind through. Wood lasts when it is sealed. Vinyl avoids rot but should be a heavy grade to stand up to hail.
What type of fence is best for my yard?
| You want | Good choices | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | 6-foot cedar, vinyl or stone-look panels | Solid fence is a sail, so posts decide how long it stands |
| A large dog | 5 or 6 foot wood or chain link | Close the bottom gap |
| Small children | Any solid fence with a self-latching gate | Put the latch out of reach |
| A pool | Aluminum built to the pool rules | Permit and inspection apply |
| Lowest cost | Chain link | Slats add wind load |
| Low upkeep | Vinyl, aluminum or steel | Costs more at the start |
| Acreage | Pipe, wire or ranch rail | Mark private water and septic lines |
Is aluminum fencing strong enough for a large dog?
In most cases, yes. Dogs get past a fence by going over or under it, not through it. Choose the height for a jumper and a tighter picket spacing or a bottom rail close to the ground for a small or digging dog.
We have a large dog, want privacy and do not want to spend a fortune. What makes sense?
A 6-foot picket privacy fence in pine or economy cedar is the lowest-cost solid fence that holds a big dog. Save more by using it only on the sides people see into and running chain link along the alley or back line. The open sections also take wind load off the yard as a whole.
My neighbor has wood and wants me to match it so we can split the cost. I want vinyl.
The run you share has to be one fence, so the two of you need to settle on one material for it and write down the split. Your other sides can be anything the rules allow. If you cannot agree, build your own fence just inside your line and leave theirs alone.
Will the new fence look the same on my neighbor's side?
Only with a style that is finished on both faces, such as shadowbox, board-on-board with a cap, or most vinyl. A standard picket fence shows rails and posts on one side. Deed restrictions often say which way the smooth side must face, so check yours.
For a price on your own fence line, book a free on-site estimate. Call (806) 203-6722 or text us a photo of the yard.