How long does a wooden fence last?

The service life of a wooden fence largely depends on the material, location and quality of its installation. Let’s look at some of the factors that affect the durability of the fence in this article.

The most important aspect that will play a decisive role is the type of wood that will be used to build the fence. Most often, spruce, pine and cedar are used for wooden fences.

Spruce is the more common and economical option for wood fences but is also one of the least durable woods. In the best case, such a fence will serve you from 5 to 8 years. You will have to constantly inspect it for damage from high and low temperatures such as cracks and rot.

Pine is the most popular choice for wooden residential fences. Like spruce, pine also requires constant maintenance and is less durable than most other woods, making it a more affordable but less durable and user-friendly material. Pressure treated pine will turn gray over time and last 5 to 12 years.

Cedar is one of the strongest and most durable woods, making it a much more suitable fencing material, but also the most expensive. Such a fence can serve you from 15 to 30 years. Cedar wood requires much less maintenance and is not as easily weathered as spruce or pine.

Different weather conditions can cause different damage to a wooden fence. Areas with abundant sunlight can cause discoloration and degradation, while areas with wetter climates can cause moisture damage and rot. Strong winds and storms can cause damage to the paint or even the collapse of the entire fence.

If you want a longer lasting fence and less time to maintain it, then consider options like vinyl, metal, and other materials.