Ask for two fence quotes in Brisbane and the timber one will almost always come back cheaper. That is real: and it is only the first line of a longer bill. In the Queensland climate, timber needs re-staining every few years, repairs along the way, and very often a full replacement inside 25 years. Powder-coated aluminium costs more upfront, then asks for little beyond a wash-down. This guide puts honest numbers on both.
The quick answer
Upfront: timber paling is usually the cheaper quote: often by a clear margin.
Ongoing: timber needs re-staining every 2 to 4 years plus repairs; cost guides commonly give treated pine fences 10 to 15 years in Queensland.
Aluminium: higher initial cost, then an occasional wash-down: it doesn’t rot like timber and termites ignore it.
Over 25 years, once you add stain cycles and a likely replacement, aluminium typically works out cheaper: and looks better at year 15.
Sticker price vs the 25-year bill
Australian cost guides typically put a treated pine paling fence around $75 to $130 per installed metre, with hardwood higher. Aluminium usually lands higher per metre installed, though buying DIY bolt-together panels supply-only narrows the gap considerably: our guide to aluminium fencing prices in Brisbane breaks down what to expect.
So if the question is “what costs less this month?”, timber wins. But nobody buys a fence for a month. The fair comparison is total cost of ownership: the day-one price plus everything the fence asks of you (in money and weekends) over its life.
The 25-year cost table
Here is how the maths tends to play out for an illustrative 20-metre side boundary: ballpark ranges drawn from typical Australian cost guides; your quotes will vary with height, access, slope and finish:
| Cost over 25 years | Timber paling (treated pine) | Powder-coated aluminium |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront (20 m) | Roughly $1,500 to $2,600 installed | Roughly $3,000 to $6,000 installed; less as DIY supply-only panels |
| Re-stain / re-seal cycles | Every 2 to 4 years; 6 to 8 rounds of stain, sundries and labour: roughly $1,500 to $4,500 all up | Not required: an occasional hose-down and soapy wash |
| Repairs along the way | Split palings, popped nails, rotted posts: commonly $500 to $1,500 | Minimal; the odd touch-up if the coating is chipped |
| Full replacement | Likely once, around years 10 to 15: $2,000 to $3,500+ at future prices | Not usually needed inside 25 years |
| Illustrative 25-year total | ~$5,500 to $12,000 plus dozens of weekends | ~$3,000 to $6,500 and a bucket of soapy water |
Illustrative ranges only, based on typical published Australian cost guides: not a quote. Timber prices have trended upward over the past decade, so a mid-life replacement usually costs more than the original fence did.
Why Queensland is so hard on timber
Those replacement timelines are a climate problem, not a scare tactic. South East Queensland is among the most termite-prone regions in the country, and while treated pine resists attack, it is not termite-proof: the treatment weathers, and posts in damp soil are exactly where termites like to start.
Then there is the humidity. Palings swap moisture with the air through every humid summer, and the result is warping, cupping and twisting: gaps open, nails pop, the fence loses its line. Storm season piles on: soaked ground wicks moisture up the posts, and rot at the ground line is what brings most paling fences down in the end. Aluminium doesn’t play this game: it doesn’t rot like timber, termites won’t touch it, and humidity doesn’t move it. That is why it tops our guide to the best fence for the Queensland climate, and why its care routine amounts to an occasional wash.
“But timber looks warmer”: the aesthetics question
Fair point: freshly stained timber looks terrific. The catch is that the look you paid for is the look you have to keep buying: left alone, timber greys off within a couple of seasons of Queensland sun. Composite is sold as the way around that, and our guide to aluminium against composite fencing looks at whether it holds up through a Queensland summer.
Aluminium has largely closed this gap. Quality timber-look woodgrain powder-coat finishes now give you the warmth of timber over a panel that holds its colour for years with nothing more than a wash. Our guide to aluminium fence and gate colours shows how each finish (from woodgrain to Black and Monument) reads on a real home.
Street appeal and resale
Buyers see the fence before the front door. A grey, leaning paling fence quietly says “there’s a bill coming”, and agents often suggest replacing it before listing. If your timber run has already reached that point, our step-by-step guide to swapping timber for aluminium walks through how the changeover runs in South East Queensland. An aluminium fence at year ten still reads as near-new (straight lines, even colour, no looming replacement) exactly the first impression you want on inspection day.
The DIY comparison: palings vs bolt-together panels
Building a paling fence yourself means setting posts, running rails, then nailing on hundreds of individual palings: and staining the lot before the weather gets to it. It is honest work, but it is a long weekend at best.
Aluminium is a different job entirely: pre-made panels bolt together between posts: set the posts, fix the brackets, drop in the panels, done. No staining, ever. Our step-by-step guide to installing aluminium fence panels walks through the process, and professional installation is available if you would rather not lift a post-hole digger. You can order panels online for delivery across South East Queensland (Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and surrounds) or pick up from our Slacks Creek yard, with loyalty discounts for returning customers.
When timber still makes sense
A fair comparison cuts both ways. Timber is still the right call when:
The streetscape demands it. In character and heritage areas, a timber picket front fence can be part of the home’s identity: and sometimes part of the planning overlay.
Cash now matters more than cost later. If the budget is tight or you plan to sell within a few years, the cheaper upfront quote is a rational choice. We have set out which fencing option is actually cheapest, and where each one asks for the money back later.
You genuinely enjoy the upkeep. Some owners like oiling timber and keeping it sharp. If that is you (and you budget for the cycles) timber can stay handsome for a long time.
The verdict: a simple way to decide
Ask yourself three questions. How long will you own this fence? Under five to seven years, timber’s lower upfront cost can win. Will you actually do the maintenance? Un-stained timber in Queensland ages fast. What does year 15 look like? With timber it usually means a replacement quote; with aluminium, a hose. Staying put in South East Queensland, aluminium is typically the cheaper fence over 25 years: and the better-looking one for most of them. Weighing metals instead? Our aluminium vs Colorbond comparison covers that decision, and steel is the other metal worth costing out over the same 25 years: see how aluminium stacks up against steel on rust, upkeep and long-run price.
Frequently asked questions
Is aluminium fencing cheaper than timber?
Not upfront: treated pine paling is usually the cheaper quote. Over 25 years the picture flips: add re-staining every few years, repairs and a likely replacement around years 10 to 15, and timber’s lifetime bill commonly ends up higher than aluminium’s upfront cost plus wash-downs.
How long does a timber fence last in Queensland?
Cost guides commonly give treated pine paling fences 10 to 15 years in Queensland, with well-maintained hardwood lasting longer. Termites, humidity-driven warping and rot at the ground line are the usual culprits; diligent re-sealing is what keeps a fence at the upper end of that range.
How long does an aluminium fence last?
Decades. Aluminium doesn’t rot like timber, termites have no interest in it, and a quality powder-coat finish holds its colour for many years with an occasional wash: see our care and cleaning guide for the simple routine.
How often does a timber fence need re-staining?
Most guides recommend re-staining or re-sealing every 2 to 4 years in Queensland’s sun and humidity: sooner on exposed western boundaries. Skipping cycles is the fastest way to grey, cracked palings and a shortened fence life.
Can aluminium fencing look like timber?
Yes: timber-look woodgrain powder-coat finishes give you the warmth of timber slats without the staining, warping or termite worries. Our colours guide shows the options, including Black and Monument.
Can I install aluminium fence panels myself?
Yes: our panels bolt together between posts, a far simpler job than nailing up hundreds of palings. Follow our installation guide, or ask us about professional installation. We deliver across South East Queensland, or you can collect from Slacks Creek.
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