Wood is cheaper to install. Composite is cheaper to own. Here's what the math actually looks like over 20 years — including the staining you're either going to do or not do.
Short answer: If you'll actually maintain a wood fence (staining every 1–2 years), wood is competitive. If you won't — which is most homeowners after year 3 — composite pays off. The 20-year total cost often favors composite once maintenance is included.
| Factor | Pressure Treated | Cedar | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per linear foot | $15–$25 | $20–$35 | $30–$55 |
| Lifespan | 15–20 years | 15–25 years | 25–30+ years |
| Maintenance | Stain every 1–2 yrs | Stain every 2–3 yrs | None (wash only) |
| Appearance | Natural, grays out | Warm natural grain | Uniform, many colors |
| Rot resistance | Moderate (treated) | Good (natural) | Won't rot |
| Insect resistance | Good (treated) | Good (natural oils) | Immune |
| Eco-friendly | Chemical treatment | Sustainable harvest | Recycled materials |
| DIY-friendly | Very easy | Easy | Moderate |
| Repair | Replace boards ($10–$20) | Replace boards ($15–$30) | Match color, $30–$60/board |
| Type | Install | Maintenance (20 yr) | 20-yr Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-Treated | $1,500–$2,500 | $4,000–$8,000 | $5,500–$10,500 |
| Cedar | $2,000–$3,500 | $3,000–$6,000 | $5,000–$9,500 |
| Composite | $3,000–$5,500 | $0–$1,000 | $3,000–$6,500 |
Assumes staining labor is DIY at material cost only. Professional staining increases wood maintenance costs significantly.
The 20-year cost table assumes you actually stain the wood fence every 1–2 years. Most homeowners don't. The fence grays out, boards split and warp, and by year 8 you're replacing boards instead of just refinishing the surface.
A neglected pressure-treated fence may need partial replacement at 10 years and full replacement at 15. That changes the math dramatically — now you're looking at two installation costs inside 20 years, which easily pushes wood's 20-year total above composite.
If you genuinely enjoy the maintenance process — and some people do — wood is a reasonable choice. A well-maintained cedar fence is beautiful. The question is whether you'll actually do it.
Budget constraints. Pressure-treated wood lets you get a fence built now. At $15–$25/lf installed vs $30–$55 for composite, wood is meaningfully more accessible if upfront cost is the constraint.
Repairs are simple. A single rotten or damaged board in a wood fence costs $15–$30 to replace — just nail a new one in. Composite board replacement requires matching the color/style and using hidden fasteners, and mismatches show.
Custom woodworking. Wood can be cut, shaped, routed, and customized on-site. Composite has limited profile options and can't be easily modified with typical woodworking tools.
You actually maintain it. Properly stained pressure-treated or cedar fence looks great and lasts 20+ years. The premise of the composite advantage is that wood maintenance gets skipped — if you do it, the gap narrows significantly.
Over 20 years, composite often comes out cheaper than pressure-treated wood once you factor in staining every 1–2 years. For a 100 linear foot fence, composite saves $1,500–$3,000 in maintenance costs compared to pressure-treated wood — enough to offset the higher upfront cost.
Quality composite fence boards typically last 25–30 years or more. Most come with 20–25 year fade and stain warranties. Pressure-treated wood lasts 15–20 years, and cedar 15–25 years, both assuming regular maintenance.
Modern composite fencing is quite convincing — textured surfaces mimic wood grain and colors range from natural tones to bold options. Budget composite looks obviously synthetic. Mid-range and premium composite products (Trex Seclusions, Fiberon) are difficult to distinguish from wood at a glance.
Yes, though it requires more care than wood. Composite boards use hidden fastener systems that need precise spacing. Posts are typically steel or aluminum for composite systems. The process is manageable for an experienced DIYer but less forgiving than nailing up wood boards.
Pressure-treated wood is the least expensive option — $15–$25 per linear foot installed for a basic 6-foot privacy fence. Chain link is cheaper ($10–$20/lf) but provides no privacy. Barbed wire and split rail are cheaper still but serve different purposes.
Pressure-treated pine needs staining every 1–2 years in most climates. Cedar and redwood can go 2–3 years between treatments. Skipping maintenance accelerates graying, splitting, and rot. Once wood starts deteriorating, you're replacing boards rather than just staining.