Fencing · 2 materials · 25 cities

How long does a fence last?

It depends on the material first and the climate second. A vinyl fence typically lasts 20–30 years; A wood fence typically lasts 15–20 years. Across the 25 US cities we model, the same fence can gain or lose several years depending on rain, sun and freeze–thaw.

Simulated vinyl fence in Seattle, WA after 10 years

Year 10Green algae on the shady side

MODEL SIMULATION

Seattle, WA · white PVC privacy panels, full sun

Drag through time 0 — 20 years

Color lossMinimal

BrittlenessMinimal

Mildew / rotHigh

Fails first hereShady side: green algae and mildew

By material

Fence lifespan by material

Vinyl fence

20–30 yrs typical · median 26 yrs

Shortest: Albuquerque, NM (20–25) · longest: Seattle, WA (25–32)

How long does a vinyl fence last? →

Wood fence

15–20 yrs typical · median 15 yrs

Shortest: Mobile, AL (10–13) · longest: Las Vegas, NV (17–21)

How long does a wood fence last? →

Every city

Expected life by city

City	Vinyl fence	Wood fence
Albuquerque, NM	20–25	14–18
Atlanta, GA	22–28	11–15
Austin, TX	22–28	13–17
Boston, MA	23–30	13–17
Buffalo, NY	23–30	13–17
Charleston, SC	23–30	12–16
Chicago, IL	23–30	13–17
Dallas, TX	22–28	14–18
Denver, CO	20–26	13–17
Houston, TX	22–29	12–15
Las Vegas, NV	21–27	17–21
Los Angeles, CA	22–29	16–21
Miami, FL	22–28	10–13
Minneapolis, MN	23–30	13–17
Mobile, AL	22–29	10–13
Nashville, TN	22–29	12–15
New Orleans, LA	22–29	11–14
New York, NY	23–30	13–17
Phoenix, AZ	21–27	16–21
Portland, OR	24–31	13–17
Salt Lake City, UT	21–27	14–18
San Diego, CA	23–30	16–21
San Francisco, CA	24–31	15–20
Seattle, WA	25–32	14–18
Tampa, FL	22–28	10–13

Years. Wood left unsealed; synthetic materials washed yearly. Methodology.

Common questions

How long does a fence last?

How long does a vinyl fence last?

Typically 20–30 years. In our model it ranges from 20–25 years in Albuquerque, NM to 25–32 years in Seattle, WA.

How long does a wood fence last?

Typically 15–20 years. In our model it ranges from 10–13 years in Mobile, AL to 17–21 years in Las Vegas, NV when left untreated.

Which fence material lasts the longest?

Vinyl fence, with a median of about 26 years across our cities, versus 15 for wood fence.

Compare

Vinyl vs wood fence →