Wood costs less up front: $20 to $50 per foot installed, compared with $30 to $60 for vinyl, in the national figures. Vinyl then needs very little care, while wood needs sealing and occasional new boards. In a city where fog keeps wood wet for much of the summer, that upkeep is a bigger part of the comparison than in a dry climate.
Price ranges are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026, not our own quotes. San Francisco labor, material prices, access to the yard and the ground 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 | Seal every few years, replace boards as they fail | Wash off salt and mildew |
| Weak point | Rot from fog and wet soil, rusted fasteners | Wind on tall solid panels, cracks from a hard knock |
| Repairs | Single boards | Normally a full panel |
| Look | Natural, weathers to gray or takes stain | Even color, few choices |
Redwood, cedar or pressure-treated pine?
Redwood is the traditional San Francisco fence wood, with cedar close behind. Heartwood from either one holds up to damp without treatment and moves less than pine as it dries. Pressure-treated lumber is cheaper and makes sense for posts, which are the part buried in wet ground. Many fences here pair treated posts with redwood or cedar boards. Whatever the wood, use stainless or hot-dip galvanized fasteners.
Which fence lasts longest in fog, wind and salt air?
Metal and vinyl outlast wood in this climate because they do not rot, and aluminum does not rust. Among wood fences, the fence lasts longest when the posts are deep, the concrete sheds water, the boards clear the soil and the fasteners are rated for the coast. The city has no freezing weather to deal with. Constant damp and salt are what wear a fence out here.
What type of fence is best for my yard?
| You want | Good choices | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | 6-foot redwood, cedar or vinyl | No permit needed up to 6 feet at the side or rear in San Francisco |
| A large dog | 5 or 6 foot wood, vinyl or chain link | Seal the bottom edge, especially in sand |
| Small children | A solid fence and a gate that latches itself | Mount the latch high |
| A pool or spa | Aluminum or vinyl that meets the state pool rules | The 60-inch height and the gate are inspected |
| Lowest cost | Chain link | Slats can be added for privacy |
| Low upkeep | Vinyl or aluminum | Higher first cost |
| A front yard | Open aluminum or steel pickets | Up to 6 feet if 75 percent open, 3 feet if solid |
| A windy lot near the ocean | Spaced boards, lattice top or metal | Solid panels take the full wind load |
Is aluminum fencing strong enough for a large dog?
In most cases it is. What stops a dog is the height of the fence and the gap between pickets, not the metal. Choose a taller fence for a dog that jumps and tighter spacing near the ground for a small one.
We have a large dog, want privacy and do not want to spend a fortune. What makes sense?
Build a basic 6-foot board fence on treated posts. It gives privacy, holds most large dogs and costs less than any other solid fence. Since most San Francisco yards are small, the saving from mixing in chain link is modest, but it is still an option on a side nobody sees.
My neighbor has wood and wants me to match it so we can split the cost. I want vinyl.
The shared line can only be one fence, so you two have to pick one material for it and put the cost split in writing. In a typical city yard nearly every fence line is shared with someone, so there may be no other side where you can use vinyl. If you cannot agree, you can build your own fence inside your line at your own cost, though it uses up scarce yard space.
Will the new fence look the same on my neighbor's side?
It depends on the style. Board-on-board and shadowbox fences and most vinyl look finished on both faces. An ordinary board fence has a rail side and a smooth side. With shared rear fences on every side of the block, decide with each neighbor which face they get, or choose a two-sided style.
We measure the line and give you a written quote at no charge. Call (415) 888-9244 or text us a photo of the fence.