We've got the standard wooden privacy fence here.

I guess the best is always a personal preference, but we have an open shadowbox cedar fence with metal poles, unstained, low maintenance. Not as private as the standard privacy fence, but it allows alot more air circulation in the yard so summers outside are much more pleasant.

We have a vinyl fence that is an open picket style so it allows for good air circulation. The vinyl fence is just across the front and back. We still have wood fence with metal poles on the sides because of the neighbors, but I love my vinyl fence. No maintenance other than hosing the occasional bird poop off. If you are concerned about the privacy issue, you can get vinyl fences in solid styles in 6 foot heights. We have white, but they are also available in tan and forest green.

Standard wood privacy fence. We're re-doing ours also. Found out from a neighbor that Habitat for Humanity might be interested in our old fence sections; not to use on a HFH house, but to sell to get funds for their prioject houses. We called their store for builders' leftovers/rejects/etc. and they said they ARE interested in our fence, even thought it has seen better days. If there's a store like that near you, you could consider donating your old fence.

Most any fence is subject to some kind of maintainence by virtue of deterioration or storm damage. That includes most materials.

However, if you put in the right kind of support beams, a concrete with quartz pebble panel fence, is as durable as you can get. It is also the most initial cost.

Vinyl fencing can be ok, if you get something in an environmentally friendly color. White sticks out like a sore thumb.

There is always the possibility of using some of the newer deck materials for a fence, that are composite vinyl materials, which look more like real wood, but are very easy to maintain, and much longer lasting. So far, they aren't specifically offering fencing in that material, but it should only be a matter of time before someone recognizes the suitability.

In wood, a custom built fence utilizing decking treated woods, will last as long as any wood material, including cedar fencing. It will cost considerably more than regular wood fencing materials.

In Texas, metal posts are best, and to make the fence last longer, a concrete or stone base under the fencing, to keep the wood away from ground moisture, will make the fence last longer.

Naturally, any wood fence, will require frequent staining to help protect the wood from moisture, but if the pickets are allowed to go to the ground, water will wick into the wood end grain, and the wood will rot from within, in spite of the staining. (The best staining is NOT from a commercial service. Theirs breaks down in about 6 mos. You need to use a quality product and do it yourself, in 2-3 coats, initially.)

If you decide on vinyl you might want to consider a darker color. I have two friends who put in solid vinyl fences in light colors - one white, one tan - and they've both complained about how much heat is reflected into their back yards from the fence.

Thanks for all of the replies. I'm pretty sure that vinyl doesn't come in darker colors due to fading issues, so that one is out. My husband firmly does not want to have the continuous expense and hassle of the maintenance of wood. He would be happy with no fence or a chain link, both of which are out of the question for me. A stone or brick wall would be the best, but way out of the budget, I'm afraid. What is a concrete with quartz pebble panel fence?

I drove by a fiberglass fence from Fiberfence.com yesterday, and it was pretty nice. From a distance or just driving by, you could not tell that it wasn't wood. It looked like a slightly aged wooden fence, but it was actually over 10 years old. Up close, it looks kind of like the new decking products available now. The only clue that it wasn't "real" was that the pickets were a bit thinner and had a slight cupping to them. This fence is supposed to last forever and be extremely strong. If we go with it, I will let you know how it goes.