Walk into any garden center in 2025, and you will see "Composite" everything. Decking, cladding, and now fencing.
It promises the dream: a fence that never rots, never needs painting, and looks perfect forever. But it also comes with a price tag that can make your eyes water. So, is it actually worth the hype? Or is good old-fashioned timber still the king?
At Joe’s Fencing, we install both. Here is our honest, unfiltered comparison.
The Contender: Composite Fencing
Composite is made from a mixture of recycled plastic and wood flour (sawdust), bonded together under high heat. It is designed to mimic wood without the weaknesses of wood.
The Pros
- Zero Maintenance: Put away the paintbrush. You never need to oil, stain, or seal it. A quick wash with soapy water once a year is all it takes.
- Lifespan: Most composite fencing comes with a 20-25 year guarantee. It won't rot, warp, or get eaten by insects.
- Colour Fast: While it fades slightly in the first 12 weeks, the colour generally locks in. Your grey fence stays grey.
The Cons
- The Price: Expect to pay 2x to 3x more for materials compared to pressure-treated timber.
- The "Plastic" Look: Cheaper composite panels can look shiny and artificial. You have to pay premium prices to get a realistic wood grain texture.
- Scratching: If you scratch timber, you can sand it out. If you scratch composite, that scratch is there forever.
The Champion: Timber Fencing
Whether it’s soft Pine or hard Cedar, timber is the natural choice that has been used for centuries.
The Pros
- Natural Aesthetics: Nothing truly beats the look, smell, and feel of real wood. It blends into a garden naturally rather than standing out against it.
- Cost Effective: It is significantly cheaper upfront. If you are fencing a large garden in Fishponds or Kingswood, timber is much kinder to your bank balance.
- Flexible: Want to change the colour in 5 years? Just paint it. Want to screw a hanging basket to a post? Easy.
The Cons
- Maintenance: If you don't treat it, it will turn grey (and eventually rot). It requires "sweat equity" every few years.
- Lifespan: Even the best treated softwood will eventually succumb to the damp Bristol soil after 10–15 years.
The Verdict: Which is right for you?
Choose Composite If...
You are a busy professional with a modern home (perhaps a new build in Filton or Lyde Green). You are happy to pay more upfront to never have to worry about fence maintenance again. It also matches perfectly if you already have Composite Decking installed.
Choose Timber If...
You prefer a traditional look or have a period property (like a Victorian terrace). You don't mind spending a Saturday afternoon painting every couple of years, or you are working to a stricter budget.
Our Advice: If you go Composite, don't buy the cheapest option. Cheap composite warps and fades. If you go Timber, upgrade to Concrete Posts—that way, even if the wooden panels need replacing in 15 years, the hard work is already done.
Still undecided?
We carry samples of both materials in our van. Book a quote, and we can let you feel the difference yourself.