Treated Pine Fence Palings: 100x12 and 150x12 Buying Guide

Treated pine fence palings are the backbone of the classic Australian timber fence. They're affordable, widely available, and when properly installed and maintained, they'll give you a fence that looks great and lasts for decades. At Wallan Fencing and Timber Supply, we stock treated pine palings in 100×12mm and 150×12mm in 1.8m and 2.1m lengths — here's everything you need to know before you buy.

What Are Treated Pine Palings?

Treated pine palings are sawn timber boards, typically 100mm or 150mm wide and 12mm thick, used as the vertical infill of a timber paling fence. They're made from radiata pine that has been pressure-treated with a preservative (typically CCA — copper chrome arsenate) to resist rot, termites, and fungal decay.

The treatment gives the timber a distinctive green-grey colour when new, which weathers to a silver-grey over time. Treated pine palings can be painted or stained to any colour, or left to weather naturally.

100×12mm vs 150×12mm Palings

100×12mm Palings

The 100×12mm paling is the standard residential choice. It's lighter, easier to handle, and produces a fence with more vertical lines — a traditional look that suits most homes. The narrower width also means that any cupping or warping in individual boards is less noticeable.

Best for: Standard residential fencing, traditional paling fence look, budget-conscious projects.

150×12mm Palings

The 150×12mm paling is wider and gives a more contemporary, solid appearance. Fewer boards are needed per metre of fence, which can reduce installation time. However, wider boards are more prone to cupping and warping as they dry, so it's important to buy well-dried, straight timber.

Best for: Contemporary homes, faster installation, projects where a more solid appearance is desired.

Lengths Available

We stock palings in:

• 1.8m — the standard height for residential fencing
• 2.1m — for taller fences or where extra privacy is needed

How Many Palings Do You Need?

To calculate the number of palings required:

1. Measure the total fence run in metres
2. Divide by the paling width (0.1m for 100×12, 0.15m for 150×12) to get the number of palings per metre
3. Multiply by the total fence run
4. Add 10% for waste and breakage

Example (100×12mm palings, 20m fence run):

• 1 ÷ 0.1 = 10 palings per metre
• 10 × 20 = 200 palings
• Add 10% = 220 palings

Example (150×12mm palings, 20m fence run):

• 1 ÷ 0.15 = 6.67 palings per metre → round up to 7
• 7 × 20 = 140 palings
• Add 10% = 154 palings

Note: These calculations assume palings are butted tightly together. If you're leaving a small gap between palings (common for airflow and to allow for timber movement), adjust accordingly.

Pricing

• 100×12mm × 1.8m: $1.75 per paling (GST inclusive)
• 100×12mm × 2.1m: $2.45 per paling (GST inclusive)

Installation Tips

Use galvanised nails or screws: Treated pine contains copper, which reacts with ungalvanised steel fasteners and causes staining and premature corrosion. Always use hot-dip galvanised or stainless steel nails or screws.

Pre-drill near ends: To prevent splitting, pre-drill nail holes within 50mm of the end of each paling.

Allow for movement: Timber expands and contracts with moisture changes. Leave a 2–3mm gap between palings to allow for this movement, or butt them tightly and accept that they'll shrink slightly as they dry.

Check for straightness: Before nailing, sight down each paling and discard any that are badly bowed or twisted. A small amount of bow can be pulled straight during installation; severe bow cannot.

Seal cut ends: Apply a timber preservative or end-grain sealer to any cut ends to prevent moisture ingress and extend the life of the timber.

Buying Treated Pine Palings in Wallan

We stock treated pine palings at our yard at 22 Commercial Drive, Wallan. Available for pickup Monday to Friday 7am–4pm and Saturday 7am–1pm. We deliver across Mitchell Shire and surrounding areas including Kilmore, Broadford, Seymour, Wandong, and Beveridge.

Call us on 0431 193 102 or add palings to your quote cart online.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do treated pine palings last? With proper installation and occasional maintenance (painting or staining every 5–7 years), treated pine palings will typically last 15–25 years. Untreated or poorly maintained palings may last only 5–10 years.

Do I need to paint treated pine palings? No — treated pine can be left to weather naturally to a silver-grey. However, painting or staining extends the life of the timber and improves appearance. If you plan to paint, wait 6–12 months for the timber to dry out before applying paint.

Can I use treated pine palings for a pool fence? Treated pine can be used for pool fencing, but the fence must comply with Australian Standard AS 1926.1 for pool barriers. Check with your local council and a licensed pool fence inspector before installing.