I am surprised that they are still using wood for fences. *Colourbond
fences will be up in a hundred years. You will be replacing the fence in
about 15 years.

Around here, wood is much cheaper than steel, and is the most
economical way to put up a tall privacy fence fast. Pressure treated
panels are available for rot resistance, as well as cedar but that is
usually from sapwood and doesn't last any longer than pine for all
that people pay more for it. Roughsawn native lumber is also
available for board-type fences or people making up their own
panels.

Chainlink is fast to put up, but for privacy you need to add the slats
which can look like heck after a while. You can often find posts and
link from craigslist for nothing (or nearly) if you are putting it up
in an area where older fencing won't be intrusive.

I am not impressed with the white vinyl I see everywhere, I have seen
too much of it get brittle and break in the sun after only a handful
of years.

Welded wire mesh is fast to put up, and is less visually intrusive
than chainlink. I have also seen post-and-board "horse" fence, with
the wire mush put up under the boards. Looks like a horse fence from
the distance but has the mesh to contain the dogs or other livestock.

Now that you mention it, I don't think I have seen a sheet steel fence
panel used in our area at all.

40ft deep?

I assume this means along the lot, not into the ground. In other
words, away from the road.

--Glenn Lyford