The longest lasting fences are ornamental steel, the FenceTrac metal-frame system, and chain link, which resist the rot and weather that wear out wood. Setting any fence on steel posts extends its life too. Empire Fence builds all of these for homeowners across Tulsa and northeast Oklahoma, where wind, ice, and clay soil test every fence.
Here is how the main fence types compare on lifespan and upkeep.
| Fence Type | Relative Lifespan | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|
| Ameristar ornamental steel | Longest | Powder-coated, almost none |
| FenceTrac metal frame | Very long | Low; the steel frame does not rot |
| Chain link | Very long | An occasional rinse |
| Cedar on steel posts | Long for wood | Periodic staining |
| Cedar on wood posts | Shorter | Staining, plus the posts fail first |
We have built fences that outlast Oklahoma weather since 1955, and most qualifying new installations earn our Gold Seal Certificate of Excellence after a 31-point inspection.
Metal Lasts the Longest
For the longest service life with the least effort, metal wins. Our Ameristar ornamental steel fences are powder-coated to resist rust and fading and stand for decades with little more than a rinse. The FenceTrac system pairs a powder-coated steel frame with low-maintenance infill, so the structural part of the fence does not rot the way wood posts do. Both shrug off the sun, wind, and clay soil that age other fences.
Chain Link Is a Durable Workhorse
Our chain link fencing is one of the longest-lasting and most budget-friendly options we build. Galvanized and vinyl-coated mesh resist rust, carry almost no wind load, and keep doing their job for decades with next to no upkeep. It trades privacy for durability and value.
How to Make a Wood Fence Last
Cedar is beautiful but it is the shortest-lived of the bunch, and it almost always fails at the post first. Two moves stretch its life the most: setting it on steel posts so the base does not rot, and staining it on a regular cycle. See whether steel posts are better than wood posts, how to maintain a wood fence, and how long a cedar fence lasts in Oklahoma. Our privacy fence with metal posts page shows the steel-post upgrade.
Why the Build Decides Lifespan
The material sets the ceiling, but the build decides whether a fence reaches it. We set every post in concrete at the right depth, space posts to share the wind load, and finish each fence to our Gold Seal standard. That is why a well-built cedar fence on steel posts can outlast a cheaply built metal one. For the materials that ride out our seasons best, see the best fence for Oklahoma weather and the best low-maintenance fence.
Related Questions
Lifespan questions from Tulsa homeowners.
What fence lasts the longest with the least maintenance?
Ornamental steel and the FenceTrac metal frame, both powder-coated, last the longest with the least upkeep. Chain link is close behind and the most budget-friendly.
How long does a cedar fence last in Oklahoma?
A cedar fence lasts for years, longer on steel posts and with regular staining, shorter when the posts rot or the sun goes unchecked. See how long a cedar fence lasts in Oklahoma.
Do steel posts make a fence last longer?
Yes. Steel posts do not rot, so they outlast the wood they carry and protect the part of a fence that usually fails first. See steel posts versus wood posts.
Find the Fence That Lasts
Want help choosing a fence built to go the distance in Oklahoma? Request a call from our Tulsa team and we will walk you through the options.