Many things– such as weather, insects, and general wear and tear—can affect how long a fence will last. Different types of wood used for fencing can be expected to age similarly, though with some slight variations.
This article will discuss how long you can expect certain types to last, what factors can affect these numbers, and how to extend the life of your fence.
How Long Do Wood Fences Last?
On average, a fence could last between about 10-17 years. The type of wood used can drastically change this number, along with several care and climate variables. See below for details on a few common types of fencing.
Cedar Fence
Cedar fences can be expected to last between 15-20 years. Untreated, this number is typically true to form. Combined maintenance and finishing, however, can lengthen this timeframe to 30 or even 40 years. Cedar works well for most climates, as it can withstand annual temperature and moisture extremes.
Regular care must be kept to clean the wood and replace any damaged or broken sections. Termite infestation can also drastically lower this number, so the fencing should be regularly inspected for signs of damage.
Spruce Fence
Untreated spruce can last somewhere between 4-7 years. It has a tendency to absorb moisture and warp over time, so it is not well suited for very rainy or humid environments. Regular coatings of protective sealant can help improve the life of this material.
Spruce has the shortest lifespan of the woods covered in this article. The best chance to extend the life of this material is to install it in drier climates with low insect activity. Maintenance and a mild climate can help spruce last a few extra years, but not a drastic number.
Pine Fence
Left untreated, pine fences also last between 4-7 years. Due to its high susceptibility to decay and rot, pine should not be left untreated. This wood is typically pressure-treated before sale, which increases its lifespan to between 5-10 years without any additional care. Additional sealants, such as paint or protective stain, coatings, or maintenance may add up to five more years.
Regularly cleaning and re-coating the wood every few years is absolutely necessary to maintain a pine fence. It cannot be left alone after installation like other types of wood and is not an ideal wood for extremely wet or humid climates. It is best for mild climates that will not see a lot of physical wear and tear from extremely active kids or animals.
Cypress Fence
Cypress can last up to 15-20 years untreated. It needs no treatment and can be left to naturally weather over time. This wood is immensely rot and insect-resistant, which makes it an excellent option for a low-maintenance fence. It can be used in any climate, though it should be noted that the cost increases the farther away you get from its native area in the southeastern United States.
A sealant, such as stain or UV protectant, can increase the lifespan of cypress to 25 or even 30 years. Regular cleaning, as well as damage inspection and repair, will also add some more life. This material is ideal for individuals that want a long-lasting fence with no additional effort. Those that do wish to put in some maintenance can reliably expect their fence’s life expectancy to nearly double.
Fir Fence
Untreated fir has a lifespan of 15-20 years. It can be left untreated and is a hardy option that can survive many climates. It stands up to rot from extreme weather conditions but is less insect resistant than some other woods on this list.
Fir should be cleaned of mold and dirt periodically but requires little maintenance aside from that. A UV protective sealant or stain will add protection to fir fencing, extending its life by up to five years.
Redwood Fence
Redwood has incredible longevity, with untreated specimens lasting up to 25 years. It has excellent rot and warping resistance and also has natural insect-repellant properties. This wood is well-suited for most environments, though very dry and sunny weather can cause it to dry out and crack prematurely.
Redwood requires a good quality sealant with built-in UV protection. It will require regular cleaning and re-coating with the UV protectant to stand up to frequent sunlight.
How Much Longer Do Pressure-Treated Wood Fences Last?
Pressure-treated lumber is purported to last up to 40 or even 60 years! Wood fencing that is exposed regularly to extreme freeze-hot temperatures and wet-dry cycles typically lasts up to about 9 or 10 years without any additional maintenance or treatment. Regular cleaning, care, and re-treatment can easily triple and quadruple this number. It is not unrealistic to see pressure-treated wood last 30 years with a proper care routine.
The grade of lumber also affects its potential lifespan, with premium grade lasting longer than construction grade.
3 Things Affecting How Long Your Wood Fence Will Last
What are common factors that will affect the life of your fence? In the section below, let’s discuss how climate, budget, and maintenance affect the wood’s longevity.
Climate and Pests
The type of wood you use should be dependent upon what your climate is like and what types of natural pests are in your area. Wood that is susceptible to warping and cracking from moisture and extreme temperatures, like spruce and pine, may not be the best option for the rainy northwest or frigid northeast.
Areas with termites aren’t ideal for cedar fences, which can be a tasty treat for these bugs. Alternatively, animals that like to paw and scratch at fence pickets and posts, like dogs and skunks, will damage softer woods much faster than hardy woods like cedar.
Budget
The less you can or want to spend on your fence directly affects how long the fence will last. Expect lower-budget materials to last anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2 as long as a more expensive, higher-quality material.
Maintenance
Some types of wood can be left completely alone and still last 10-15 years. Expect this to be the case with hardier woods like cedar, redwood, and cypress.
Regular maintenance of wood fencing involves regularly walking around the fence to clear it of debris, overhanging branches, and vines. Sections should be inspected to verify they are not touching the ground and damaged and cracked boards should be removed and replaced.
Areas soiled with dirt and mold should be cleaned according to the type of wood used. Some types of wood hold up to pressure washing very well, while others should be gently scrubbed by hand.
Finally, any sealant or coating should be reapplied after cleaning to not only add years to the fence but to keep it beautiful for the remainder of its life. If changing to a different finishing method, the previous coat should be completely removed and free from grease and oils before proceeding.
Summary
On average, you can expect generic fencing to last between 10-17 years with little or no maintenance.
We have summarized how the type of wood used in your installation, your climate, insects, pests, and how you plan to maintain and seal the wood make a huge difference on the length of time you have with your fence.