Most people don’t think about their fence until it starts to lean, sag, or blow over in a decent storm. Then the question pops up: “Is it finished, or does it have a few more years left in it?”
There’s no magic expiry date stamped on a fence, but there are rough lifespans for each material – and a few Perth-specific things that make them last longer or die young.
How Long Fences Usually Last in Perth
Different fences age in different ways. Perth’s hot summers, coastal wind and sandy soil don’t treat them all equally.
Timber fences
A standard timber fence will often last around 10–15 years. Treated pine tends to sit at the lower end, good hardwood can push a bit longer if it’s looked after. The big enemies here are rot, termites, sprinklers spraying the posts every day, and constant sun.
Colorbond fences
Colorbond is generally a longer-term option. You’ll often see 20–30 years out of a Colorbond fence if it’s installed properly and not sitting in wet soil all the time. When they do start to fail, it’s usually because of rust at the bottom, damage from impact, or posts not set deep enough in the first place.
Aluminium and steel fences
These can also reach 20 years or more. They don’t rot, but they can dent, shift, or start to loosen at the base if the fixings or posts give way.
Brick and limestone fences
These can last decades – 25, 30, even 50+ years – but they’re not “set and forget” either. Cracking from ground movement and failing mortar are the common issues here.
If your fence is older than those numbers, it doesn’t mean it’s about to fall over tomorrow. It just means you should keep a closer eye on it.
What Really Wears a Fence Out in Perth
A few things quietly attack fences around Perth suburbs:
- Water at the base of posts – especially from reticulation. Constant moisture on timber posts is a fast-track to rot.
- Shallow or weak footings – posts that weren’t set deep enough will start to lean once the wind and soil get to work.
- Harsh sun – dries timber, cracks paint, and weakens cheaper fixings over time.
- Soil and garden beds pushed up against panels – great for plants, not so great for Colorbond or timber.
- Strong winds – if one post goes, it can pull a whole section with it.
None of these show up all at once. They creep in slowly.
Simple Things That Help Your Fence Last Longer
You don’t need a big maintenance schedule, just a few sensible habits.
For timber, keeping the base of the posts clear, repainting or resealing every few years, and replacing obviously rotten boards early can add years of life.
For Colorbond, stopping soil from building up against the base, hosing off dirt or salt occasionally, and trimming trees that bang against it in the wind all help.
A quick walk along the fence line once or twice a year will usually tell you what you need to know: are posts solid, are panels straight, is anything soft, cracked, or rusting?
Repair or Replace – How Do You Decide?
This is usually the big one.
Repair makes sense when:
- the damage is limited to a small area,
- most posts are solid, and
- the rest of the fence is still in decent shape.
Replacement starts to look more sensible when:
- multiple posts are loose or rotten,
- sections lean again soon after being “fixed”,
- or the fence is simply at the end of its realistic life span.
If you’re stuck in the middle and not sure what camp your fence falls into, getting someone experienced to have a look is often easier than guessing. Our fence repairs team can usually tell pretty quickly whether it’s worth squeezing more years out of what you’ve got, or if you’d be better off starting fresh on a section.
When to Start Paying Attention
You don’t need to wait until the fence is on the ground. Signs to take seriously:
- A section that leans more each month
- Posts that move when you push them
- Timber that feels spongy or crumbles at the base
- Colorbond panels with rust along the bottom edge
- Cracks in brick or limestone that keep widening
Catching these early often means a repair instead of a full replacement.
Related FAQs
Does Colorbond last longer than timber?
In most cases, yes. It doesn’t rot and handles wind better, but it still needs proper installation and some basic care.
Can I just straighten a leaning fence and leave it?
You can, but if the post or footing is failing, it will usually lean again. Straightening without fixing the cause is only temporary.
Is it worth repairing an old fence?
If the structure is still mostly sound, repairs can add years of life. If everything is failing at once, replacement is usually better value.
