When picking out a fence for your home or business, knowing how long they typically last is handy and can help out the process. Of course, we’ve got lots of tips and advice on extending the life of your fence, but the figures here should give you an idea of what sort of lifespan you should expect from our fencing choices.
Wooden fences are a great stylistic choice, but usually, the shortest lived of fences
Whether you’re going for a rustic look or just want to match the style of your house or yard decoration, a wooden fence is a popular choice for homeowners and for good reason. They do, however, require special attention to maintenance practices and are generally the most vulnerable fence type.
With proper attention to fence maintenance and repair, there’s no reason why your wooden fence couldn’t last a solid 20 years. And, of course, repairing your wooden fence as it becomes damaged will help it last even longer than is average.
Chain link and ornamental fences are sturdy and great for large-scale projects
When deciding how to fence in a large area, the best choice is usually either a chain link or an ornamental fence. Both are very cost effective for protecting large areas, and require little to no maintenance outside of general repair.
Both of these fences last on average 25 to 30 years and can be extended even further beyond that lifespan with proper maintenance and prompt repair.
Vinyl fences require the least amount of effort to maintain and their typical lifespan matches a hands-off approach to fence maintenance
While most fences will last a long time and more than serve their intended purposes with proper care, few can do it longer than a vinyl fence. These fences require the least amount of personal time invested to keep them clean and maintained. As a result, the average lifespan for a vinyl fence is 35 to 40 years.
Unfortunately, much like ornamental fences, these fences require the most know-how to put up and an improperly installed vinyl fence can quickly turn into its own worst enemy. If you can spare the extra cash, we definitely recommend investing in a professional install for these types of fences.
