Short answer: a cedar fence typically lasts 15 to 30 years, and up to 40 years when it is stained or sealed on a regular schedule. A pressure-treated pine fence usually lasts about 10 to 20 years. In Portland the number is set mostly by the posts, not the boards: a modern pressure-treated post set in wet ground commonly lasts 10 to 15 years, so the posts often fail while the cedar above them is still sound.
We have built cedar fences across Portland for more than 20 years, and over 100 of the fences our team installed are now 20-plus years old and still standing. Here is what separates those fences from the ones that lean in year eight.
How long does each type of wood fence last?
| Material | Typical lifespan | What shortens it |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar, left to weather | 15 to 30 years | Wet soil, shade, no finish |
| Cedar, stained or sealed every few years | Up to 40 years | Skipped recoats |
| Pressure-treated pine | About 10 to 20 years | Cupping, splitting, checking |
| Pressure-treated post in ground contact | About 10 to 15 years, 15 to 25 in good conditions | Clay soil, standing water, poor drainage |
| Galvanized steel post | Does not rot (manufacturer) | Cut ends left unsealed |
Ranges vary by source because climate, soil and build quality vary. The sources at the bottom of this page overlap on the numbers above.
How long does a cedar fence last in Portland?
Toward the middle of the 15 to 30 year range when it is built and kept right, and toward the bottom when it is not. Cedar has natural oils that resist rot and insects, which is why it is the Northwest fence wood. But Portland gives a fence a long wet season, clay soil that holds water around the posts, and shaded north-side runs that stay damp for weeks. Those three things are what pull a cedar fence down early.
Why do the posts fail before the boards?
The posts are the only part of a wood fence buried in wet ground. The boards and rails get to dry out between rains. The post does not, so it rots at the soil line, the fence starts to lean, and everything above it goes with it. That is why two fences built from the same cedar can last very different lengths of time: one was set on posts made for ground contact, or on steel, and one was not.
If you want the cedar look without the post problem, read our guide to a wood fence with metal posts. The steel is hidden behind cedar, so it still looks like a wood fence from both yards.
What makes a wood fence last longer?
- Better cedar. Grade 1 or better boards have fewer knots and warp less, so they stay tight and shed water.
- Posts made for the ground. Ground-contact treated posts or galvanized steel posts, set in concrete.
- A kickboard. A ground-contact board along the bottom keeps the pickets out of wet soil, where cedar rots first.
- Stainless fasteners. Standard nails rust, streak the cedar and loosen. Stainless steel does not.
- A finish on a schedule. A semi-transparent oil stain every 2 to 3 years is what takes cedar toward the 40 year end.
- Keep water off it. Point sprinklers away, keep soil and bark dust off the bottom boards, and clean off moss and algae.
The finish matters most once the fence is up. Our step-by-step guide on how to stain a fence covers the timing and the steps.
The bottom board detail is explained in our guide to the fence kickboard and rot board.
Want a fence that is still standing in 20 years?
We build cedar fences with Grade 1 or better boards, stainless fasteners, and heavy-duty treated or lifetime steel posts. Free on-site quote, no pressure.
Licensed, bonded and insured · Grade 1 or better cedar on every cedar fence · Every installer has 5+ years of fence experience
What are the signs a wood fence is done?
- Posts that move when you push them, or are soft at the ground line when you press a screwdriver in.
- Sections that lean or sag, or a gate that no longer closes.
- Boards that are soft, crumbling or split along most of the run, not just in one spot.
- Green growth and dark rot spreading up from the bottom of the boards.
One bad board is not a dead fence. Soft posts along the whole run usually are, because by then the rails and picket bottoms are going too.
When it is time, our fence replacement includes tearing out and hauling away the old fence.
How we build fences to last
Every cedar fence we build uses Grade 1 or better cedar and stainless fasteners, on heavy-duty pressure-treated posts or lifetime steel posts. Our fence installs carry a limited 3-year workmanship warranty, 5 years on select premium builds, and a limited lifetime warranty on metal posts. Every installer has at least five years of fence experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does cedar last longer than pressure-treated pine?
For the boards, yes. Cedar fences commonly last 15 to 30 years against about 10 to 20 for pressure-treated pine. Treated wood holds up better in the soil, which is why many cedar fences sit on treated or steel posts.
Does staining a fence make it last longer?
Yes. A stained or sealed cedar fence can last up to 40 years, against 15 to 30 left bare. The stain blocks the sun and sheds water, which is what breaks cedar down.
How long do wood fence posts last?
A modern pressure-treated post in ground contact commonly lasts about 10 to 15 years, and 15 to 25 in well-drained soil. Galvanized steel posts do not rot.
Is a 20 year old wood fence worth keeping?
If the posts are solid and the boards are sound, yes, clean it and stain it. If the posts are soft along the run, replacing the fence is usually the better spend.
How long does a fence last in a wet climate?
Shorter than in a dry one, mostly because the posts sit in wet soil for months. Ground-contact or steel posts, a kickboard and a regular finish close most of the gap.
Sources
- Fixr: Cedar vs pine fence (lifespan)
- Top Rail Fence: How long does a wood fence last?
- Advantage Lumber: How long does a wood fence last? Comparing wood species
- Viking Fence: How long does a cedar fence last?
- Pressure-treated post service life: Fence-All, MKW Services and Mr. Handyman ranges, which overlap at roughly 10 to 25 years in ground contact (see our wood fence with metal posts guide)
Gorilla Works proudly serves Portland, Gresham, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Lake Oswego, Happy Valley, Milwaukie, Troutdale, Vancouver WA, and Camas WA. Call (971) 343-4964 or request a fence quote.
