6 Cheapest Privacy Fence Options
Whether you’re looking to enclose a backyard or a residential development, in most cases, you’d prefer to have something that doesn’t allow everyone passing by to see your every move. That usually means you need a privacy fence; however, for most fence projects, budget is a concern.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite privacy fence options and ranked them according to cost so you can select the one that most suits your needs.
1. Chain Link Fence with Privacy Slats
Chain link fence on its own is not known for providing privacy, but when you combine it with privacy slats, it’s completely transformed.
If you also choose a chain link fence with pounded fence posts instead of posts installed in concrete, you will save even more on installation costs and still have a fence that gives you the private backyard space you want.
Chain link fence comes in various finishes, including galvanized and PVC coated in various colors, and privacy slats are also available in different colors and styles so that you can choose from plenty of combinations for your lower-cost privacy fence.
Chain link fence materials are readily available in most places, and you can self-install or hire a fence company. Because chain link fence is metal and chain link privacy slats are made from PVC, this is a very low-maintenance fence option, too.
2. Pallet Wood Fences
The next item on our cheapest privacy fence options list is a pallet wood fence. You might be thinking that pallet wood fences could even be cheap, and it’s true that there are some free pallets to be had out there.
However, the pallets you can get for free are often worn and damaged, which may mean you need to supplement the materials with purchased pallets or lumber.
Unlike chain link fences, if you want to build a sturdy pallet wood fence, you will probably also have to install your posts in concrete rather than pounding them.
The final reason we’ve ranked pallet wood fences second is that they will almost certainly need to be stained for appearance and weatherability, which will cost money now and in the future with regular maintenance.
3. Corrugated Metal Panel Fencing
Third on our list of cheapest privacy fence options is corrugated metal panel fencing, and here, you can choose between some commercial corrugated metal fence systems and buying your own metal roofing panels and installing them on a structure of your choice.
As with any fence, a DIY option will usually be cheaper, but how cheap it is depend on the type of panels you choose to use and the structure you attach it to.
Corrugated metal panel fencing can be installed on a wooden fence structure with wooden fence posts and horizontal rails. We recommend adding a capping or flashing to the top because the ends of corrugated metal fencing can be sharp, and that can be dangerous.
4. Reed Fence
The next entry on our list of the cheapest privacy fence options is a reed fence, which looks very much like a bamboo blind, except the reeds are vertical.
This type of fence doesn’t offer very much in the way of security, and you do need to install it on a metal or wood frame, but it is an excellent privacy fence option, and it looks great when installed properly.
Reed fence can also be used on an existing chain link or ornamental fence quite easily, and it’s a quick way to transform an existing non-privacy fence into an effective screen for your personal outdoor space.
5. Wood Fence
Our second last option on the list of cheapest privacy fence options is probably the favorite choice in North America: the wood fence.
Wood fences come in a huge variety of heights, finishes, and designs, so the cost of your fence will depend a lot on the options you choose for your project.
Most wood fences (unless they are cedar or another naturally weather and insect-resistant wood) will also require staining or painting, which is a process you will need to complete every few years, which adds to your wood fence's lifetime cost. So, be sure to factor maintenance into your privacy fence cost calculations.
6. Vinyl Fence
Last on our list of the cheapest privacy fence options is vinyl fence, which, again depends greatly on the height and style you choose.
There is a huge range of vinyl fence systems on the market, and while it might be tempting to choose the cheapest privacy fence option you can be find, you should be wary of any that seem too good to be true.
Very cheap vinyl fence systems are often imported products that are made from substandard plastics, and while they might look good for a little while, they will soon start to discolor, crack and fade.
Even if you are looking for the cheapest privacy fence options, it’s always a good idea to choose a vinyl fence product from a reputable manufacturer that offers a long warranty on their products. You might pay more now, but you will save in the long run!
Other Privacy Fence Options
Of course, we’ve only scratched the surface of your options in this article on the cheapest privacy fence options. There are plenty more privacy fence types out there, including precast concrete fence systems, other types of PVC fences, composite fences, and more.
The cost of a privacy fence will always depend on the type of materials being used and the design, and again, there are endless options for both.
If you are looking for an affordable privacy fence option, the best thing you can do is contact fence companies in your area with your fence footage and the budget you have in mind and ask them to provide options for you.
If you know how to do a material take-off (or use our fence calculators!),look you can also calculate your material needs and get a price on material for DIY installation.
Or you could start your fence project with something simple like a basic chain link fence and then add privacy slats, reed fence, or privacy screens later when you have the budget for it.
