Wood costs less up front, at $20 to $50 per foot installed, and vinyl costs more, at $30 to $60, but vinyl needs no stain. In Lubbock the choice also turns on wind and sun: both materials need strong posts, and both are aged by the high plains sun in different ways.
The price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Labor, material prices and the conditions on your lot in the Lubbock area move the real number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
| Wood | Vinyl | |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost per foot | $20 to $50 | $30 to $60 |
| Upkeep | Stain or seal to slow sun damage | Rinse off the dust |
| Weak point | Drying, cracking and loose posts | Panels can pop out or crack in high wind or large hail |
| Repairs | One picket or rail at a time | Usually a whole panel or rail |
| Look | Natural, any stain color | Uniform, lighter colors hold up best in sun |
Cedar or pressure-treated pine?
Cedar is the better picket. It moves less as it dries, resists insects and decay on its own, and takes stain well. Pressure-treated pine is cheaper but tends to twist and crack in dry heat. Many Lubbock fences pair cedar pickets with galvanized steel posts, which do not rot at the ground and stand up well to wind.
Which fence lasts longest in West Texas wind and sun?
The fence lasts longest when the posts are right. Frost is not the threat here that it is up north. Wind and ultraviolet light are. Galvanized steel posts, aluminum and good vinyl do not rot. Wood pickets last when they are sealed and kept off wet ground. Open styles such as ornamental metal and chain link carry the least wind load of all.
What type of fence is best for my yard?
| You want | Good choices | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | 6-foot cedar or vinyl | A solid fence is a sail, so size the posts for wind |
| A large dog | 5 or 6 foot wood, vinyl or chain link | Close the gap at the bottom |
| Small children | Any solid fence with a self-latching gate | Set the latch out of reach |
| A pool | Aluminum or vinyl built to the pool code | Gate hardware is inspected |
| Lowest cost | Chain link | Slats add privacy and wind load |
| Low upkeep | Vinyl, aluminum or steel | Higher price at the start |
| Less dust in the yard | A solid fence on the west and south sides | It slows blowing dirt but will not stop it |
Is aluminum fencing strong enough for a large dog?
Yes for most dogs. Strength is rarely the problem. Height and picket spacing are. Pick a taller panel for a jumper, and a style with tight spacing low down for a small dog that could slip between pickets.
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 pressure-treated pine is the lowest-cost way to get both. To save more, put the privacy fence only where neighbors or the street can see in, and run chain link along the sides that face a field or an alley. Spend the savings on better posts, since they decide how long the fence stands here.
My neighbor has wood and wants me to match it so we can split the cost. I want vinyl.
One shared run has to be one fence, so the two of you need to settle on a single material for that side and write down the split. Texas law does not force either of you to pay for the other's choice. If you cannot agree, you can build your own vinyl fence just inside your line and leave theirs alone.
Will the new fence look the same on my neighbor's side?
Not with a standard picket fence, which has a smooth face and a rail face. Board-on-board with a cap, shadowbox and most vinyl styles look finished from both yards. Some HOAs and cities expect the smooth face to point toward the street or the neighbor, so check before the rails go up.
For a price on your own fence line, book a free on-site estimate. Call (806) 450-4251 or text us a photo of the yard.