Depends on the budget and the type of fence.

Depends on what look you are going for and how long you want it to last. Every fence requires maintenance at some point. There are PVC fences in my town that need post replacement just like wood. I personally prefer the look of wood, so go with what you like.

please, just dont do "shiny white plastic", from the homes i drive by seems like it gets just as dirty as wood, the difference is it looks bad whether its clean or dirty.

Wood like Ipe https://www.soluslumber.com/ipe-decking/ is definitely the most environmentally friendly and certain species should long outlast PVC and Vinyl.

One thing I can say about the white vinyl fence is that if you have a dog, and that dog jumps, they could knock off the pickets and escape. I'm a previous dog daycare owner and I used this type of fence for a gate inside the indoor daycare and within a week the gates were useless. The pickets are just stuck on with a glue/epoxy and they just popped right off.

What are you trying to achieve; privacy, dog control, a certain look? Tell us the use and your climate (rainy, lots of snow, hot and dry) for better suggestions.

Some comparison pointers:

• Durability: PVC/Vinyl is much more durable than wood. Vinyl is resistant to harsh weather, decay, rot, and fungus.
• Maintenance: Very minimal maintenance is required for vinyl fences. On the other hand, wood needs to be periodically cleaned, stained, and sealed; this can be time consuming and expensive.
• Cost: Vinyl costs much more upfront than wood. For big yards, the initial investment could be high.
• Aesthetics: Wood offers a classic look and a lot of variety in style, colour, and stain choices.

For a more in-depth comparison, refer to: http://bit.ly/2jrQYzp

Couldn't agree with Patricia Colwell Consulting more...... https://www.soluslumber.com/ipe-decking/

In tx vinyl and the thin pvc used for fencing crumbles like crackers after years of brutal sun exposure. I favor wood b/c natural but it had its minuses.

If you have clay soil, its moisture rentention qualities transfer to wood, hence rot at base. Let alone a excessive rains or even floods that might affect you.

I’d recommend setting aside money for fence repair/replacement every x years. Nothing more detracting to a house fascade than droopy fence. The reality is any material you use will fall into disrepair and/or will require upkeep.

would everyone who has a shiny white vinyl fence hose it down once in a while, all the ones around here are filthy. at least wood doesnt show the dirt so much.

I'm with you ningret. Any bare dirt in the backyard will spread onto a white fence. Personally prefer razor wire, Claymores, mines, tripwires and tank traps.

Wood.