Choosing between temporary and permanent fencing is more than a simple matter of preference — it can have a direct impact on your project’s security, safety, compliance, cost-efficiency, and operational flexibility. The wrong choice can lead to unexpected hazards, increased liability, or wasted budget, while the right fencing solution will help ensure smooth, secure, and compliant project delivery.
Yet many project managers, site owners, and contractors aren’t fully aware of the key differences between fencing options — or how modern solutions are reshaping what’s possible. In particular, not all temporary fencing is created equal. Innovations like Fortawall’s advanced wind-resistant temporary fencing now offer a “best of both worlds” option: the flexibility of temporary fencing, with the safety, stability, and compliance features often associated with permanent fencing solutions.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential considerations when comparing permanent vs temporary fencing, so you can make an informed choice that’s right for your project.
What Is Permanent Fencing?
Permanent fencing is a long-term solution designed to stay in place for years. It’s typically built from durable materials like steel, aluminium, brick, timber, or vinyl, and is installed with deep-set posts anchored in concrete. This type of fencing is often used to secure property boundaries, enhance privacy, and improve site security.
Because it offers strength and durability, permanent fencing is common around homes, commercial premises, industrial facilities, and public spaces. It can also improve the appearance and value of a property.
However, permanent fencing comes with a higher upfront cost and takes more time to install. Once in place, it’s difficult to move or modify — so it’s best suited to projects where the site layout won’t change.
What Is Temporary Fencing?
Temporary fencing is a flexible barrier designed for short-term use. It typically uses freestanding panels that can be quickly installed, moved, or removed without the need for permanent foundations. Temporary fencing is widely used on construction sites, for public events, and to secure areas during short-term works or emergencies.
Its main advantage is adaptability — panels can be repositioned as site needs change. It’s also faster and cheaper to install than permanent fencing. However, standard temporary fencing can have drawbacks: it often lacks wind resistance, creates trip hazards, and may not fully comply with Australian safety standards.
That’s where advanced solutions like Fortawall stand apart — offering the flexibility of temporary fencing with the strength and stability usually associated with permanent barriers.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Fencing for Your Project
Choosing between permanent and temporary fencing depends on more than just how long you need the barrier in place. You also need to consider how the fencing will perform under different site conditions, how it affects safety and compliance, and what level of flexibility your project requires.
Below are the key factors to weigh up when deciding which fencing option is right for your site:
1. Project Duration
The first and most obvious factor is how long you need the fencing. For projects or sites that require long-term boundary control — such as residential properties or permanent commercial sites — a permanent fence makes sense.
For short to medium-term projects, such as construction sites or public events, temporary fencing is typically more practical. However, if the project will run for months or years, or if it’s exposed to high winds or public areas, using a higher-grade temporary solution like Fortawall ensures better performance over time than standard temporary fencing.
2. Security Needs
How secure does your site need to be? Permanent fencing generally offers stronger long-term security, with solid materials and fixed foundations that deter intruders.
Standard temporary fencing, by contrast, can often be moved or tampered with — and many panels are easy to lift or slide underneath. That’s where Fortawall offers a major advantage: its solid base prevents entry underneath, and its panels are bolted in place and weighted to resist lifting or displacement, providing a much more secure temporary solution.
3. Site Safety and Liability Concerns
Safety is a major consideration on any site, especially in areas with public access or foot traffic. Standard temporary fencing often introduces trip hazards, with exposed feet or poorly secured panels. In windy conditions, these fences can blow over — creating serious risks for workers and pedestrians, and exposing site managers to liability.
Fortawall is specifically designed to address these issues. Its fully enclosed base eliminates trip hazards, and its wind resistance of up to 165 km/h greatly reduces the risk of fence failure, making it a safer option for temporary use — particularly on public-facing or high-risk sites.
4. Wind Resistance and Environmental Conditions
In exposed areas or during Australia’s storm seasons, wind resistance is a critical factor. Permanent fences are anchored in the ground and can typically withstand harsh weather conditions. In contrast, many standard temporary fences fail under moderate wind, requiring frequent maintenance or extra bracing.
Fortawall’s engineered wind rating of 165 km/h is far superior to standard options — making it ideal for construction sites, infrastructure projects, and events where wind loading must be considered for safety and compliance.
5. Compliance with Australian Standards
For many commercial projects, meeting Australian Standards is a non-negotiable requirement. Standard temporary fencing often falls short of these benchmarks, particularly around wind performance and structural stability.
Fortawall is fully compliant with AS1170.2 (Structural Design Actions: Wind Actions) and AS4687.1:2022 (Temporary Fencing and Hoardings) — giving project managers peace of mind that their temporary fencing meets the required standards for structural performance and site safety. This is particularly important for large-scale construction, infrastructure, and public event sites.
6. Installation Time and Flexibility
One of the key advantages of temporary fencing is flexibility — panels can be moved or adjusted as site layouts change. However, standard temporary fencing can be labour-intensive to install and dismantle, especially when extra bracing is required to compensate for poor wind resistance.
Fortawall was designed with efficient installation in mind. It offers up to a 70% reduction in installation and removal time compared to standard temporary fencing. In addition, Fortawall can be moved and repositioned easily while fully assembled, providing flexibility for dynamic sites without sacrificing safety or compliance.
7. Cost Considerations
Cost is always a factor when choosing fencing, but it’s important to look beyond the upfront price. Permanent fencing involves a higher initial investment but offers long-term value. Standard temporary fencing is cheaper upfront but often leads to hidden costs — frequent repairs, additional bracing, replacements after storm damage, or even fines if the fencing doesn’t meet compliance standards.
Fortawall provides an excellent middle-ground: a higher-performance temporary system that reduces maintenance costs, improves site safety, and avoids the liability risks associated with cheaper fencing. For projects running over many months — or in public or high-wind environments — Fortawall can often be more cost-effective in the long run than repeatedly maintaining or replacing standard temporary fencing.
8. Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Many project owners are now looking at the environmental footprint of their temporary infrastructure. Standard temporary fencing is often made from lightweight materials with a short lifespan. Damaged panels frequently end up in landfill, and poorly performing fences can require multiple deliveries, increasing transport emissions.
Fortawall is designed for long-term reusability. Its high-quality Australian-made materials provide exceptional UV stability and durability, allowing each system to be used across many projects over a longer lifespan. The solid base also reduces site debris and improves site cleanliness, supporting better environmental outcomes on modern construction and infrastructure projects.
When to Choose Permanent Fencing
Permanent fencing is the right choice when a long-term boundary or security solution is required. If the site will remain unchanged for years to come — such as a residential property, a commercial facility, or public infrastructure — a permanent fence provides lasting protection and helps define the site clearly.
It’s also ideal when aesthetic value matters. Permanent fences can be customised to match architectural styles, improve visual appeal, and even boost property value.
Because it is fixed in place, permanent fencing is best used when the site layout is stable and unlikely to change. If flexibility is needed — or if the project is still evolving — temporary options may offer better value and performance.
When to Choose Temporary Fencing (and When to Upgrade to Fortawall)
Temporary fencing is the right choice when you need a barrier for short to medium-term use — such as during construction, for events, or while a permanent fence is being planned or installed. It’s also the go-to option for sites where the layout may change frequently, and flexibility is required.
However, not all temporary fencing is equal. Standard temporary fences often struggle on high-risk sites, public-facing locations, or in challenging weather conditions. If the site is exposed to high winds, has public foot traffic nearby, or requires compliance with Australian Standards, an upgrade to Fortawall is well worth the investment.
Fortawall is ideal for:
- Construction sites in built-up areas where trip hazards and wind-blown fences pose serious risks
- Major infrastructure projects requiring wind-resistant, AS-compliant fencing
- Public events where crowd safety and site security are priorities
- Projects running over many months where a standard temporary fence would likely require frequent repairs or replacement
In these scenarios, Fortawall delivers a safer, more reliable solution — combining the flexibility of temporary fencing with the strength, stability, and compliance benefits typically associated with permanent systems.
How to Decide What’s Right for Your Project
Choosing between permanent and temporary fencing comes down to your site’s specific needs — both now and in the future.
If you require a long-term boundary, where appearance and property value are important, permanent fencing remains the best choice.
If your project needs flexibility, or if the fencing is required for a defined project period — such as construction, events, or infrastructure works — temporary fencing makes more sense.
But not all temporary fencing will perform equally. For high-risk, high-traffic, or long-duration sites, upgrading to a safer, stronger solution like Fortawall can dramatically reduce safety risks, ensure compliance, and lower maintenance costs.
Consider:
- Project duration
- Security needs
- Safety and liability risks
- Wind exposure and environmental conditions
- Australian Standards compliance
- Budget and long-term cost efficiency
For many modern Australian projects, Fortawall offers an ideal solution — delivering the flexibility of temporary fencing with the strength, stability, and compliance traditionally associated with permanent options.