Care & longevity
How Long Should a Garden Fence Last?
Panels on timber posts: often under a decade. Closeboard on concrete posts with gravel boards: comfortably double that.
Manufacturer guarantees describe the timber, not the fence. What determines real-world life is the post, the ground contact, the exposure and whether anyone ever treats it.
Realistic expectations
Based on the fences we take down and replace, not on brochure figures.
| Build | Typical service life |
|---|---|
| Lap panels, timber posts, no gravel boards | Shortest — ground contact ends it |
| Lap panels, concrete posts and gravel boards | Long, with individual panels swapped as needed |
| Closeboard, timber posts | Good, if posts are kept clear of soil |
| Closeboard, concrete posts and gravel boards | Longest timber option we build |
| Composite on aluminium posts | 15+ years with washing only |
The four things that shorten life
- Timber sitting in soil or against a raised bed — the single biggest killer
- Shallow post bases on exposed runs, which work loose then snap
- Soil or compost banked against the boards on a neighbour's side
- Climbers left to trap moisture against the timber year-round
What genuinely adds years
Gravel boards, a drainage layer under the post, keeping soil off the timber, and re-treating the fence every couple of years. None of it is glamorous and all of it works.
Frequently asked
Is pressure-treated timber guaranteed?
Most treated timber carries a manufacturer guarantee against rot, typically time-limited and conditional on the timber not sitting in standing water.
Should I paint or stain a new fence straight away?
Let pressure-treated timber weather for a few months first so the treatment dries out, then apply your finish.
Why did my fence only last five years?
In our experience: timber posts in wet ground, no gravel boards, and bases that were too shallow for the exposure.
Do gravel boards really help?
Yes — they take the ground contact and are cheap to replace when they eventually go.
Want this priced properly for your garden?
Free site visit across London and Hertfordshire, a written specification, and a fixed price. No obligation.