COLORBOND® vs timber vs aluminium fencing: how to choose
COLORBOND® steel, timber and aluminium each suit different jobs. Steel wins on low maintenance and privacy, timber on natural looks and upfront cost, aluminium on wet or coastal sites. Here is how to pick.
The NKSM Team
Fencing & steel supplies, Hallam VIC · · 2 min read
Boundary fences in Melbourne come down to three common choices: COLORBOND® steel, timber (usually treated pine palings), and aluminium. None is "best" outright — they suit different priorities. Here is a straight comparison so you can pick the right one for your block and budget.
COLORBOND® steel
The most popular choice for new suburban fencing, and for good reason.
- Low maintenance: it will not rot, warp or need painting. An occasional hose-down is about it.
- Full privacy: sheets butt together with no gaps to peer through.
- Consistent look: straight, clean lines and a wide colour range to match your house or roof.
- Termite-proof and non-combustible steel.
Trade-offs: a higher upfront cost than basic timber, and a dent needs a sheet swapped rather than a quick patch. On very uneven ground you may need a timber sleeper or stepped panels to close gaps at the base.
Timber (treated pine palings)
The traditional paling fence — cheap to get started and easy to work with.
- Lowest upfront material cost of the three.
- Natural look that some people simply prefer, and easy to repair one paling at a time.
- Simple to build with basic tools.
Trade-offs: timber moves. Palings cup, warp, grey off and eventually rot at the base, so a timber fence needs upkeep and will not last as long as steel. Gaps open up as boards shrink.
Aluminium
Usually seen as slat or tubular/pool fencing rather than solid boundary fencing.
- Will not rust — ideal for wet, coastal or poolside sites.
- Lightweight and available in slat styles for a modern look with airflow.
- Low maintenance like steel.
Trade-offs: slat and tubular styles are not private (there are deliberate gaps), and aluminium is generally the dearest per metre. It is a specialist choice rather than a default backyard boundary.
Quick verdict
Still weighing it up? Tell us about your block and we will talk through what suits — we stock the steel range and can cut it to size at our Hallam yard.
Products in this guide
Everything you need — in stock at our Hallam yard.
Frequently asked questions
Is COLORBOND better than timber fencing?
For most suburban boundaries, COLORBOND® steel lasts longer and needs far less maintenance than timber — it will not rot, warp or need painting, and it gives full privacy with no gaps. Timber is cheaper upfront and has a natural look some people prefer, but it moves and needs upkeep. The right choice depends on your budget and priorities.
Which fence lasts the longest?
Steel and aluminium outlast timber comfortably. A well-installed COLORBOND® steel fence can last decades with minimal maintenance, whereas treated pine palings typically need repairs and eventual replacement much sooner as the timber weathers and the base rots.
What is the cheapest fencing option?
Treated pine paling (timber) fencing usually has the lowest upfront material cost. Over the life of the fence, though, steel can work out comparable or better once you account for painting, repairs and replacement.
Still have a question? Get in touch — we're happy to help.
Keep reading
How much does a COLORBOND® fence cost in Melbourne?
A COLORBOND® steel fence in Melbourne typically costs around $75–$130 per metre for materials, or roughly $200–$350 per metre installed. Here is what drives the price and how to get an exact figure for your job.
COLORBOND® fence colours: the full range and how to choose
The COLORBOND® steel Classic range runs to 22 colours, from soft neutrals like Surfmist® to dark greys like Monument®. Here is the full palette and a simple way to choose the right one for your fence.
Do you need a permit to build a fence in Victoria?
Most standard dividing fences up to 2 m in Victoria do not need a building permit — but front fences, tall fences, pool fences and corner blocks can. Here is what to check before you build.