Colorbond vs timber vs aluminium slat fencing in Melbourne (2026)
Short answer: timber paling is usually cheapest to put up, Colorbond is usually cheapest to own over 15 years, and aluminium slat costs the most but suits front fences and many coastal sites. Prices below are published 2026 Melbourne ranges, not quotes.
Side by side
| Timber paling (treated pine) | Colorbond 1.8 m | Aluminium slat | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installed cost per metre | $84–$200 (basic builds $84–$115) | $84–$200, most jobs $95–$140 | $225–$320 |
| Typical lifespan (industry figure) | 15–20 years | 20–30+ years | Not reliably published; suppliers quote 10-year powder-coat warranties |
| Upkeep | Stain or oil every few years; palings, plinths and posts wear | Occasional hose-down | Occasional wash, more often near salt air |
| Warranty | Varies by builder | Lysaght 10-year structural; BlueScope material warranty up to 10 years, conditions apply | Varies by supplier (often 10 years on powder coat) |
| Within 1 km of the ocean | OK with the right timber and fixings | Not recommended by Lysaght; warranty excluded | Common choice; ask for marine-grade alloy |
| Best for | Tight budgets, rentals, selling soon, natural look | Staying put, low maintenance, termite-prone areas | Front fences, modern look, coastal homes |
15-year cost check
How this works: upfront figures use the same per-metre ranges as our calculator (low, typical, high). Maintenance for timber and Colorbond scales What's The Damage's published 15-year figures for a 20 m fence ($600–$1,500 timber, $0–$200 Colorbond) to your length. We found no published maintenance figure for aluminium slat, so it is shown as upfront only. Replacement costs are not included.
Which should you choose?
- Selling or renting out within a few years: timber paling keeps the upfront bill lowest.
- Staying 10+ years: Colorbond usually wins once staining and paling repairs are counted.
- Near the beach (Peninsula, Bellarine, Bayside): check the 1 km coastal exclusion before choosing Colorbond; see our Peninsula and Geelong & Bellarine notes.
- Sharing with a neighbour: the cost split is for a sufficient fence; whoever wants the dearer material usually pays the difference (who pays in Victoria).
Common questions
Is Colorbond cheaper than timber in Melbourne?
Not usually on day one. Published 2026 Melbourne ranges overlap ($84–$200/m for both 1.8 m Colorbond and timber paling), but a basic treated pine paling fence often quotes below a mid-range Colorbond job. Over 10–15 years Colorbond tends to come out ahead because it needs little upkeep.
How long does a Colorbond fence last?
Melbourne guides typically quote 20–30+ years. The BlueScope material warranty is shorter, up to 10 years, and depends on eligibility and location.
How long does a timber paling fence last?
Typically 15–20 years, longer with durable posts set in concrete, good drainage and regular staining. Posts and the bottom plinth usually fail first.
Can I use Colorbond near the beach?
Lysaght says its Colorbond fencing should not be used within 1 km of the ocean or in the splash zone of a salt or chlorine pool, and the warranty excludes those sites. Ask a local fencer about marine-grade aluminium or hardwood.
Do both neighbours have to agree on the material?
For a shared dividing fence in Victoria, owners split the cost of a sufficient fence. A neighbour who wants a dearer material usually pays the difference.