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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTimber handles these weather conditions with more difficulty each year it ages. Composite holds its form and appearance much more steadily. That gap matters at the spec stage \u2014 before the fence goes in, not after.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do Composite Fences Resist Termites and Rot?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Composite fencing gives termites nothing to eat. The boards contain no organic material insects can break down \u2014 no food source, no moisture path, and no rot pathway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wood fences \u2014 treated pine, merbau, hardwood \u2014 carry some risk from insect damage and moisture-driven rot. Australian Standard AS 3660 exists specifically because insect infestations in timber are common enough to need an industry-wide management framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Insect damage and rot are two of the biggest drivers of early fence replacement in Australia. Removing both risks matters \u2014 especially for property managers or developers who can’t afford unplanned repair calls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why composite fencing resists termites:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Untreated timber fades and greys fast under the Australian sun. Even treated hardwoods need regular staining and oiling to hold their colour \u2014 and still crack and silver over time if the maintenance schedule slips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Composite fencing handles UV differently. The cap layer absorbs and deflects UV rather than breaking down under it. Our cap layer is 0.8 mm thick \u2014 thicker than many comparable products. That extra thickness is what drives the test results: after 3,000 hours of QUV accelerated aging, our boards show a colour difference of \u0394E \u2264 4\u20135. That’s a controlled, slight shift \u2014 not the greying you see with natural wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The system behind that result is a combined HALS (Hindered Amine Light Stabiliser) and UV absorber treatment built into the cap layer. In practice, it means the fence colour stays stable for years without regular painting or staining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is where the real cost difference lives. Wood fencing carries a maintenance schedule. Composite fencing doesn’t \u2014 not in any meaningful sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A wood fence needs sanding and oiling every one to two years. It needs staining or painting when the colour fades. It needs pest inspections and sometimes chemical treatment. Over 10 years, that’s a real and recurring cost \u2014 in materials, labour, and site visits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Composite fencing needs a hose-down and mild detergent a few times a year. That’s it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For builders and property managers running multiple sites, the savings compound. One less maintenance task across 10 sites a year adds up fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Timber costs less upfront. That’s true, and any fair comparison has to say so. But the full cost picture looks different over 10 to 15 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Estimates are indicative. Actual costs vary by region, species, and project scale.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The gap narrows quickly once you account for ongoing timber maintenance. Over a 10-year run, the composite often comes out ahead, not just competitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For volume trade buyers, factory-direct supply removes import and reseller margin. Our MOQ starts at 100 m\u00b2. At that scale, composite panel pricing becomes more competitive than retail supply chains suggest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
How Does UV Affect Each Fence Over Time?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Which Fence Needs Less Upkeep?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTask<\/th> Wood Fence<\/th> Composite Fence<\/th><\/tr> Sanding and recoating<\/td> Every 1\u20132 years<\/td> Not required<\/td><\/tr> Staining \/ oiling<\/td> Every 1\u20132 years<\/td> Not required<\/td><\/tr> Painting<\/td> Every 3\u20135 years<\/td> Not required<\/td><\/tr> Pest treatment<\/td> As needed<\/td> Not required<\/td><\/tr> Rot inspection<\/td> Annually<\/td> Not required<\/td><\/tr> General cleaning<\/td> As needed<\/td> 2\u20133 times\/year<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Composite vs Wood Fence \u2014 What Does It Cost?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/th> Timber Fence<\/th> Composite Fence<\/th><\/tr> Material + install (per linear metre)<\/td> $50\u2013$90<\/td> $90\u2013$150<\/td><\/tr> Staining \/ painting over 10 years<\/td> $80\u2013$130\/lm<\/td> $0<\/td><\/tr> Pest treatment + repairs over 10 years<\/td> $50\u2013$200\/lm<\/td> Minimal<\/td><\/tr> Estimated 10-year total<\/strong><\/td> $180\u2013$420\/lm<\/strong><\/td> $90\u2013$165\/lm<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n \n
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