Timber or Colorbond? Choosing a boundary fence for a Melbourne home

Timber and Colorbond both provide strong privacy, but they create very different results. The right choice depends on the home, boundary conditions, maintenance preference, neighbours and budget—not just the price per metre.

Choose timber when

• You want a natural material that can be stained or painted.
• The fence needs to step through complex levels or match an older streetscape.
• Custom paling, capped, exposed-post or feature details matter to the design.

Choose Colorbond when

• Low maintenance and a consistent factory finish are priorities.
• You want complete privacy without visible gaps.
• A coordinated colour with roofing, gutters or external finishes suits the home.

Get the boundary and levels right first

Before pricing, establish access, demolition, vegetation, ground changes and who is responsible for the shared boundary. These details affect the build far more than a simple metre rate.