Material decision card
Pressure-Treated Wood Fence
Cheapest privacy option installed. In humid climates expect to seal or stain every 2-3 years; unsealed pickets cup and gray within a season.
Verified August 2026
Is pressure-treated wood fence worth it?
10–20 year service life
Best for: Lowest up-front privacy fencing where you will actually seal it. Maintenance is high and durability rates 2/5.
Decision card
| Service life | 10–20 years |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | High |
| Durability | 2 / 5 |
| DIY difficulty | 3 / 5 (5 = hardest) |
| Warranty | Lumber warranty only, typically limited lifetime against rot |
| Relative installed cost | 85% of the typical job |
Climate suitability
Only the exposures that actually change this material's performance.
Handles well: Design wind speed exposure
Shortens its life: Humidity
Shortens its life: Annual rainfall
Shortens its life: Coastal / salt-air exposure