Honest Comparison
WPC vs timber fencing
Timber is the cheapest fence to buy — and one of the most expensive to keep. It needs staining every couple of years and rots within 8–15. Capped WPC costs a little more day one but $0 to maintain, so it works out roughly $9,800 cheaper to own over 25 years.
The Honest Verdict
Cheapest to buy isn't cheapest to own
There's no arguing with timber's sticker price. A hardwood or treated-pine paling fence is the cheapest boundary you can put up on day one, and if you love the natural look and don't mind the upkeep, it can be a fine choice. That's the honest starting point.
The catch is what happens after the installers leave. Timber in the Sydney climate needs staining or oiling roughly every two years to stay looking good and slow the decay — a cost that quietly stacks up to almost $9,750 over 25 years. And no amount of staining stops it forever: boards start to rot, warp and sag from year 8 to 15, so you're paying to replace sections too. Add it up and a "cheap" timber fence becomes one of the dearest options you can own.
Co-extruded WPC flips the equation. You pay more upfront — about $11,400 vs $8,250 on a 30-metre boundary — but it's capped against moisture, UV, rot and termites, so it needs zero staining and zero board replacement. Over 25 years its true cost stays at $11,400 while timber climbs to around $21,200. That's roughly $9,800 back in your pocket, plus a fence that still looks new at year 25.
25-Year Cost Of Ownership
WPC composite vs hardwood timber.
The figures below estimate the total cost of ownership over 25 years — including stain cycles and board replacement — on a 1.8m × 30 lineal-metre suburban Sydney boundary, supplied & installed. Colorbond is shown as a reference third column. Treat them as a starting point; we'll model your job in your written quote.
| Criteria | Recommended Fencly Co-Ex WPC Capped ASA/PE composite | Hardwood Timber Treated pine / merbau | Colorbond Steel Standard sheet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day-one supply & install (30 lm) | $11,400$380 / lm | $8,250$275 / lm | $7,800$260 / lm |
| Maintenance over 25 years | + $0Hose-down only | + $9,750Stain every 2 yrs · $750/coat | + $4,200Repaint x2 + rust repair |
| Board / sheet replacement | + $0Covered by warranty | + $3,200Rotted boards yr 8–15 | + $1,900Dent & rust panel swaps |
| True 25-year lifetime cost | $11,400$456 / yr owned | $21,200$848 / yr owned | $13,900$556 / yr owned |
| Manufacturer warranty | 15 years | None | 10 years (paint) |
| Look at year 25 | Same as day 1 | Greyed, splintered, sagging | Faded, dented, rust spots |
| Termite & rot resistance | Immune | Vulnerable | Immune |
| Resale & curb appeal | +5–8% home value | Neutral, then a liability | Neutral / functional |
Get the figures for your own boundary.
Free Measure & Quote→Figures are AU 2026 estimates for a 1.8m × 30 lineal-metre suburban Sydney boundary, supplied & installed. Maintenance assumes industry-standard upkeep schedules (Cabot's stain · Dulux Weathershield). Your written quote will reflect site conditions, access & finish.
Playing Fair
Does timber ever win?
We fit WPC every week, but we're not going to pretend timber is never the answer. There are honest cases where a timber fence is the right call:
- You want the lowest possible upfront spend. For a rental, a short-term hold or a tight budget, timber's cheaper day-one price is real — you just accept the upkeep that follows.
- You genuinely enjoy the ritual. Some owners like re-oiling their fence and watching the grain change with age. If maintenance is a pleasure rather than a chore, timber rewards it.
- Heritage or matching requirements. A period home or a streetscape control may call for real sawn timber to match existing fences, and that's a valid reason to stick with wood.
- A short, temporary run. If the fence only needs to last a few years before a rebuild or landscaping change, timber's shorter lifespan simply doesn't matter.
Outside those situations, the maths favours WPC for anyone planning to stay put. You get the timber look without the sanding, staining, rot or termites — and you spend less over the life of the fence. For the full pricing picture see our WPC fencing cost guide, and if steel is also on your shortlist, compare WPC vs Colorbond.
Comparison FAQ
WPC vs timber questions.
Is WPC cheaper than timber?
Not on day one — timber is about $8,250 vs $11,400 on a 30-metre run. But timber adds roughly $9,750 in staining and $3,200 in replacement over 25 years, pushing its true cost to about $21,200 against WPC's flat $11,400. So WPC is around $9,800 cheaper to own. See the cost breakdown →
Does WPC look like real timber?
Yes — our co-extruded boards are through-coloured with a moulded woodgrain texture and warm timber tones, so from a metre away most people can't tell. The difference is WPC keeps that look for the full 15-year warranty, while real timber greys and splinters without constant re-staining.
Will timber last as long as WPC?
No. Even treated pine or merbau typically rots or warps within 8–15 years in Sydney, and only reaches that if re-stained every couple of years. Capped WPC is sealed on all four faces against moisture and UV, so it holds up well beyond its 15-year warranty.
Is WPC better for termites?
Yes. Timber is a food source and needs treatment, especially where posts meet soil. Co-extruded WPC is sealed in an ASA/PE cap that termites can't eat — it's effectively immune. In termite-prone areas that's often the deciding factor.
Weighing timber against WPC? Book a free measure or call 0421 201 613.
Free Measure & Quote
Get the timber look, minus the upkeep.
We bring woodgrain colour samples to site so you can see the finish against your home — a fixed-price quote inclusive of GST, usually within 24 hours. Serving Sydney with pro installation.