How Long Does a Fence Last?
Wanting to know how long a fence lasts is a fair question before you spend thousands having one installed in your front or backyard! In this blog, I'm cutting through the noise to give homeowners everywhere the answers they’ve been looking for – by answering the question, “How long does a fence last?”
Keep reading to learn more about metal (steel) fence post lifespans and wooden fence lifespans.
Discussing Your Fence Lifespan
Doing your research before buying any product is an approach that I always stand behind. I love helping customers feel confident in their purchases, whether that’s a new DuraPost fence or new decking railings.
The question, “How long does a fence last?” is one of the most common questions we get. So, for everyone who wants to know more about their current or future fence’s lifespan, I have put together a complete list of steel and wooden lifespan answers.
Let’s get into the fence lifespan details for our 2 most popular fencing post types:
DuraPost Metal Fence Lifespan
There’s a lot to love about a steel DuraPost fence post – the sleek look, the maintenance-free luxury, and of course, the unsurpassed durability! The other thing most property owners love about this material is the steel fence lifespan, which lasts easily for 25+ years.
What makes the DuraPost steel fence post lifespan so impressive? It’s all about that impermeable steel base! Unlike wood, which is susceptible to rot and mould, steel stands tough against dirt, grime, and mildew. This keeps that lifespan incredibly long while also meaning minimal cleaning for you!
The DuraPost metal fence post is also fantastic as it compliments the beauty of the natural elements of timber, giving you the ultimate fence lifespan - long lasting posts that won't rot!
Pressure-Treated Wood Fence Lifespan
A fence inspired by the natural elements of the environment, a wooden fence is not only a classic, but it’s a budget-conscious homeowner’s option, too. If you don’t mind regular scrubbing and the cost and effort of painting, opting for a lower cost wooden fence post might be your solution. But how long do pressure-treated wooden fences actually last?
From what we’ve seen during our last 30+ years of business, a typical pressure-treated wooden fence lifespan is about 5-10 years, at the longest! Around the 5-year mark is when most homeowners report seeing noticeable aesthetic declines, like rotting and splitting.
In addition to the short lifespan of wood fence posts, a lot of manufactures and sawmills only guarantee their timber as long as the following conditions are adhered to;
- Should the pressure treated timbers be cross cut, notched or bored during installation, then exposed surfaces are to be liberally brushed with an approved brush-on end grain wood preservative to the directions shown on the product label. Cross cut, notched or bored surfaces must never be used in ground contact.
- Any pressure treated timbers which are further processed, eg. planed, resawing, must be returned to merchant for re-treatment!
- We recommend timber in ground contact be treated with a brush on preservative every two years.
The question then is, not about the cheapness of timber, but "I can't cut the timber without voiding the guarantee!?"
Choosing Low Maintenance Fencing
If you’re still wondering, “How long does a fence last?”, just know that a huge part of the answer relies on the type of care you give to it.
By reading through the blog, you may have noticed that steel and composite have a significantly longer lifespan than the wood fencing options. Steel and composite fencing are both low-maintenance, luxury items that last longer and have a more stylish look. While some cleaning is necessary to maintain them, steel and composite only need once-a-year spring cleaning.
In contrast, wooden fences require more frequent attention – no matter the species of wood your fence is made of or whether or not it is pressure-treated.
A Partner That Maximizes Expand Fence Lifespan
Deciding on the best fencing option for you comes down to a few things: price, lifespan, and style. While we’ve talked about the lifespan and style portions, it’s time to talk about price! Contact us or one of our stockists today to learn more about DuraPost metal fence post and composite fencing and request your no obligation free quotation.
DuraPost Stockists (birkdalesales.com)
We can’t wait to work with you!