Colorbond or Timber: Which Fence?
Upkeep, lifespan, looks and repairs compared, so you and the neighbour can pick one.
The short answer
Steel sheet fencing wins on upkeep and privacy. Timber wins on looks for older homes, on repairs one paling at a time, and often on upfront price for plain styles. Lapped and capped timber closes the price gap and the privacy gap.
Upkeep
Steel needs a hose down now and then. Timber greys within a year and needs oil or stain every few years if you want to keep the colour; leave it and it weathers but keeps working.
What fails first
On steel fences, posts and footings are usually the weak point, especially in wind. On timber, posts rot at ground level unless they are rated for in-ground use or are steel. In both cases the post is the thing to ask about.
Repairs
A broken paling is a cheap fix. A dented steel sheet usually means replacing the panel, and an exact colour match on an older fence can be hard.
Looks and the street
Timber suits weatherboard Queenslanders and older streets; steel suits newer estates. Some estates have covenants on fence type and colour, so check before choosing.
The neighbour
On a shared boundary, both owners need to agree on the type. If one wants the dearer option, they usually pay the difference. See dividing fence rules.
Next step
Compare Colorbond fencing and timber paling fences, or call 0489 982 376 to have both priced.
Price my fence
A written quote is also what goes with a notice to a neighbour.
- Phone hours
- Weekdays, 7am to 4:30pm
- Covering
- Toowoomba, Highfields and Westbrook
- What it costs
- Free. The fencer does the quoting
- Your fence goes to one licensed fencer, not a list of them
- A rough length in metres and a photo of the boundary go a long way
- Ask for posts, footings, sheets or palings and removal of the old fence to be priced separately