The short version
- Wood privacy is the go-to for backyards — full privacy and a warm look, at the cost of periodic staining and a 15–20 year lifespan.
- Chain link is the budget-friendly, low-maintenance pick for containing pets and kids when privacy isn't the goal.
- Ornamental iron/aluminum is the curb-appeal and durability choice — see-through, long-lived, low-maintenance, but the priciest.
- In Nebraska the install matters as much as the material: posts have to be set deep and in concrete to survive freeze-thaw and wind.
"What kind of fence should I get?" almost always comes down to one question: what's the fence for? Privacy, keeping the dog in, defining the yard, or curb appeal? Each material wins at a different job. Here's a straight comparison of the fence types we install in Lincoln, with the trade-offs that actually matter here.
The quick comparison
| Type | Best for | Maintenance | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood privacy | Full backyard privacy + warm look | Stain/seal every 2–3 yrs | 15–20 yrs |
| Chain link | Budget, pets/kids, low upkeep | Almost none | 20+ yrs |
| Ornamental iron/aluminum | Curb appeal + durability | Very low | 30+ yrs |
| Picket (wood) | Front-yard charm, defining space | Stain/seal periodically | 15–20 yrs |
For real dollar figures on each, see our fence cost guide for Lincoln — this post is about choosing the right type, not the exact price.
Wood privacy fence
The default for Lincoln backyards, and for good reason: a 6-foot wood privacy fence gives you a full visual screen, blocks wind, and has a warm, classic look that suits most homes. It's mid-priced and endlessly customizable — board-on-board, shadowbox, lattice top, different heights.
The trade-off is upkeep. Wood needs to be cleaned and re-stained or sealed every couple of years to fight Nebraska's sun, snow, and swings; skip it and it grays, warps, and shortens its life. Plan on 15–20 years with good maintenance.
Chain link fence
When privacy isn't the point, chain link is hard to beat on value. It's the cheapest option, lasts 20+ years, and needs essentially zero maintenance. It's the practical pick for containing a dog or kids, fencing a back lot line, or anywhere you want a boundary without spending on looks. Black vinyl-coated chain link looks far better than bare galvanized and "disappears" against a yard — a small upgrade worth considering.
Ornamental iron & aluminum
If curb appeal and longevity are the goal, ornamental (steel or aluminum) is the top of the range. It's elegant, see-through (great for showing off a yard or pool area while still enclosing it), extremely durable, and nearly maintenance-free — 30+ years without much fuss. It's the most expensive per foot, and it doesn't provide privacy, but for a front yard, a pool enclosure, or a decorative boundary, nothing else looks like it.
What matters in Nebraska: the install
Here's the part homeowners underestimate — the material matters less than how the fence is set. Nebraska's freeze-thaw cycle heaves shallow posts right out of the ground, and our wind leans on anything that isn't anchored properly. A fence that lasts here has:
- Posts set deep — below the frost line — and in concrete, so winter heave and wind can't move them.
- Proper spacing and bracing so long runs and gates don't sag.
- Gates hung to stay square through the seasons, not just on install day.
A cheap fence set in shallow, dirt-tamped holes looks fine for a year and then starts leaning. We set posts deep and in concrete on every job — it's the difference between a fence that lasts its full life and one you're fixing in three winters.
So which should you choose?
- Want privacy? Wood privacy (or a shadowbox for shared lines).
- Want it cheap and low-maintenance to contain pets/kids? Chain link, ideally black vinyl-coated.
- Want curb appeal and decades of durability? Ornamental iron or aluminum.
- Front-yard charm? A wood picket.
Still not sure? We'll walk your yard, talk through the goal and budget, and give you a fixed-price quote on the type that fits. See our fence installation service or request a free quote.
