Choosing the right Aluminum Fence for your project can get overwhelming. There is a wide variety of aluminum fence styles and products. All aluminum fencing is not created equal either. In this blog, we will walk you through some of the main points to consider when looking for an Aluminum Fence.
When considering your fence project you should always weigh the pros and cons of the fence material. Why Aluminium? Aluminum offers a decorative, low maintenance, long-lasting fence to keep children or pets in as well as the security of keeping animals or people out.
As always one of the first things you should consider is the purpose of your fence. Is it purely decorative? Are you looking for security for a new pool or to keep pets secure in the yard?
With the wide range of aluminum fence products, they are often a great choice for decoration. Many historic districts require aluminum fences to mimic the wrought iron used in previous centuries. Most fence distributors offer a wide variety of designer accessories such as finial or spear tops, ball caps, and butterfly or scroll rail designs.
These decorations can really add to a home or neighborhood feel and design. 
For those looking for a more modern feel, there is still a wide range of options. The most standard aluminum fence is a Flat Top 3 Rail fence. The classic design offers all the advantages of aluminum at the best price point. However, you can also choose from Speartop, Flat Top with Spear, Scalloped Spear Top, and many more. With such a wide range of options, you are sure to find one you love.
If you are looking for a fence to keep your pets in the yard the first thing you need to consider is the size of your pet. The standard picket spacing of an aluminum fence is just shy of 4”. If your pet can squeeze through that spacing you will need to consider a double picket or puppy picket aluminum fence which shortens the width between pickets to keep smaller dogs such as chihuahuas inside the fence.
For those who have a pool to enjoy on those hot summer days one of the main concerns are the latches to the aluminum fence. You want to make sure you get the pool safety latches that open at the top of the fence. These latches ensure that a small child can not open the gate when adults are not present.
Aluminum fences typically come in four-foot heights however they can come in five and six feet also. While four feet doesn’t offer a ton of security for anyone entering the yard they are very sturdy and hard to break. This means people will not be able to enter through a locked gate or take your fence apart.
Once you have decided on your preferred style and needs you must consider the quality of the fence manufacturer. There are huge differences between manufacturers. Many fence companies import aluminum fencing from China. These fences offer a cheaper price point but a much lower value. When it comes to the quality of aluminum fencing there are several things to consider:
- How much aluminum is actually being used – The thicker the posts and panels are the better they will hold up over time. When a good amount of aluminum is used in the manufacturing process you can be sure the fence won’t be damaged by a large dog or a minor bump with your lawn mower. There are many fences out there that can be bent by the simple act of a game of tag gone wrong.
- Post size matters – many aluminum manufacturers only offer six-foot high posts. This means your post will be less than two feet into the ground for a four-foot-high fence. In most states, this will not get you beneath the frost line which will cause the concrete surrounding the post to heave out of the ground once it freezes. Additionally, such a shallow post weakens the overall durability of the fence as the post can be easily pushed out of place.
- Powder Coating is crucial – A thick powder coat will ensure your fence is not easily scratched by landscaping etc. It will also ensure that your black aluminum fence does not bleach in the sun over time. Some imported aluminum fences are not powder coated at all.
- Lifetime Material Warranty – any aluminum fence manufacturer worth their salt has a lifetime material warranty.
If you are hiring a fence company be sure to ask them to see a sample of their product. Ask about post depth and the warranty offered.
A quality manufactured and installed Aluminum Fence offers a decorative, secure, low-maintenance option that should last a lifetime.