The short answer
Budget timber panels cost around £90–£150 per metre installed, while composite costs £180–£300. But timber panels often need treating every 2–4 years and replacing after 10–15 years. Over 20 years, a timber panel fence can cost £200–£350 per metre including maintenance and replacement, bringing it close to composite, which needs little more than cleaning.
Comparing fences on installation price alone is like comparing cars on purchase price. What matters over time is how long each lasts, what it costs to keep looking good, and what you'll spend when it fails.
Up-front costs
For a 1.8m fence, lap or overlap timber panels on timber posts are the cheapest to install. Upgrading to concrete posts and gravel boards adds cost but extends the life of the fence. Composite systems, usually with aluminium posts, cost roughly double.
Maintenance over the years
Timber panels usually need a coat of stain or fence paint every two to four years to keep their colour and protect the wood. Over 20 years, that's five to eight treatments. If you do it yourself, it's mostly time plus £30–£80 of product each time for an average garden. If you pay someone, it's typically £250–£550 per visit.
Composite needs an occasional wash to remove dirt and algae. There's no painting or staining.
Lifespan and replacement
Budget lap panels often last 10–15 years. Over 20 years, there's a good chance you'll replace the whole fence once, or at least many panels and posts. Better-quality timber on concrete posts can last 20–25 years. Composite manufacturers typically quote 20–25 years or more, with warranties of 10–25 years.
See how long fences last for more detail.
The 20-year picture
The exact numbers depend on your garden, but the pattern is consistent: the cheaper the fence is to install, the more it tends to cost later. If you plan to stay in your home for many years, composite or a high-spec timber fence often makes financial sense.
- Budget timber panels: lowest fitted cost, highest ongoing cost
- Quality timber on concrete posts: good middle ground
- Composite: highest fitted cost, lowest ongoing cost
- Storm damage: lightweight panels fail more often in high winds
- Resale: a smart, well-kept fence helps kerb appeal
Which should you choose?
If you're likely to move within five years, budget timber panels are hard to beat on cost. If you're staying put and hate maintenance, composite is worth serious consideration. A well-built timber fence on concrete posts with gravel boards sits in between. Our composite fencing guide explains the systems, and you can get quotes for fence panels to compare.