Home or Business owners looking for a fencing solution for their front or back yard may find themselves inundated with suggestions. There are a number of different possible options for fencing, including wood, vinyl, steel, and aluminum. Choosing a fencing material can be difficult. While your own personal taste is an important factor, each fencing material option does have pros and cons that you should be aware of. Take a look at some of the most important points to consider in favor of aluminum fencing, as well as some of the reasons why aluminum fencing may not be right for you. The more information you have about the fencing material you’re considering, the easier it will be to make your choice.

Aluminum Fence Installation

Pro: Minimal Maintenance

People are always looking for ways to cut down on the amount of time they must spend doing fence maintenance. A sturdy, attractive fence is a good thing to have, but most homeowners are busy and don’t want to commit a lot of time to inspecting, repairing, and painting their fences. Aluminum fencing is attractive in part because it requires fairly minimal maintenance compared to other types of fencing materials. Aluminum won’t rot like wood, nor will it oxidize and rust like other metals. Aluminum is non-ferrous, meaning it contains no iron, and is therefore not susceptible to rust and corrosion, even in damp conditions, so you won’t have to worry that your fence will be damaged or disfigured by the time the rainy season is over. The material is long-lasting and adaptable to most environments. Aluminum fencing usually needs little more than to be occasional wiped clean of dirt and debris. You can maintain a nice looking fence with relatively little effort.

Con: Strength

Aluminum is a long-lasting metal, but it’s also very lightweight. This makes it a dream to install, but it also means that an aluminum fence probably isn’t going to be the strongest fence that you could possibly install. Aluminum bends, and a hard impact is probably going to leave a mark. Of course, there are an array of different types of aluminum fences on the market, and some are stronger than others. If you take the time to look at the specs of the fence you’re considering and make sure to choose one that’s strong enough to meet your needs, you probably won’t have to worry too much about bent or damaged bars

Pro: Rackability

Aluminum fences come in panels that are screwed together at the picket and rail junction. This makes the fences rackable – that is, they’re able to be installed in a way that fits the grade of the landscape. So, if your property is located on a sloping hill or if it has dips or pits that need to be accommodated, you can do that with aluminum fencing. This is known as rackability. Other types of metal fences, such as steel or iron, are welded together to make a heavier, more solid structure that’s less forgiving. If your property calls for a fence with more rackability, then it’s likely that aluminum is one of the best choices that you could make.

Con: Security

While aluminum fencing is easy to install on any type of landscape, the negative side of that is that these fences are less secure than a fence that’s welded together. All someone needs to do is locate the juncture points and unscrew them in order to remove enough of the fence to enter the property. You can ask your fence installer to make sure that the screws face inward, toward the property, which at least makes access more difficult, but it’s still less secure than some other fencing options. Not every fence is meant to provide high security. If you’re more interested in keeping pets and small children in, marking your property line, and providing an attractive visual barrier, then aluminum fencing will do the job just fine. But if you’re interested in a high-security fence, you may want to consider other options that are not as easy to access.

Con: Cost

Aluminum fences can be real showpieces. The malleability of the metal means that a number of different designs are possible, and aluminum fences come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. If you’re looking for a fence that will give your property a higher-end look, aluminum may be right up your alley. Even better, you can be assured that when you choose a high-quality aluminum fence with an attractive design that gives your property a more sophisticated look, you will retain that look for a long time to come. A wooden fence might be faded a year after installation. Vinyl can become discolored and break easily. Other metals may have rust spots. But an aluminum fence is most likely to go on looking just as good as it did the day that you installed it. You won’t have to worry that in a year, your fence will detract from your home’s curb appeal instead of adding to it.

 If you’re undecided about whether or not an aluminum fence is right with you, take the time to go over your options with a local fence installer like Escape Solutions Company. We will help you hone in on the fence style and materials that work best for property and business owners on the Gulf Coast.