What makes a wood fence fail early?

Posts rotting at ground level, boards touching soil, sprinklers soaking the fence, vines and plants holding moisture, termites, and skipping stain or sealer in strong sun.

How often should I stain a wood fence?

Most stains and water-repellent sealers last between six months and two years, so plan to reapply on that schedule. Fences in full sun usually need it sooner.

Lifespan guide

How long does a wood fence last?

Q: How long does a wood fence last?

A wood fence lasts about 15 years on average and up to about 20, depending on the wood and care. Published estimates put pressure-treated pine at up to about 15 years, redwood at 25 years or more, and cedar at up to 30 years with regular sealing and repairs.

Updated October 2026

Most wood fences last about 15 to 20 years. The wood matters: pressure-treated pine lasts up to about 15 years, redwood 25 years or more, and cedar up to about 30 years with good care. Posts usually fail first, and regular sealing, dry footing and quick repairs add years.

How long does each type of wood last?

Published lifespan estimates with regular care
Wood	Typical lifespan
Pressure-treated pine	Up to about 15 years
Redwood	About 25 years or more
Cedar	Up to about 30 years

What shortens a wood fence's life in Los Angeles?

Wet posts. Rot starts where the post meets the soil. Sprinklers aimed at the fence make it worse.
Boards touching the ground. Soil contact wicks moisture into the boards.
Sun. Long dry seasons and strong sun gray and crack unsealed wood, especially inland.
Plants and vines. They hold moisture against the fence and invite insects.
Termites and other insects. These feed on wood, especially softer, untreated wood.
Wind. Santa Ana winds put heavy load on solid privacy fences and expose weak posts.

How can I make my wood fence last longer?

Reapply stain or water-repellent sealer on the product's schedule, usually every six months to two years.
Keep sprinklers and soil off the fence, and use a replaceable rot board at the bottom.
Trim plants back from the fence line.
Inspect once a year for soft posts, dark spots and insect activity.
Replace a bad post or board as soon as you find it, before it pulls the section down.

When is it time to replace instead of repair?

Repair if…

only a few posts or boards are bad,
the fence is still straight,
the rest of the wood is solid when you press on it.

Replace if…

many posts are soft at ground level,
long sections lean or wave,
you are paying for repairs every year.

If you want to avoid upkeep next time, compare wood vs vinyl. To fix what you have, see fence repair. For a new one, see wood fences.

Sources

Angi, "How Long Does a Wood Fence Last?" (lifespan by wood type and maintenance guidance). General information; actual lifespan depends on installation, site and care.