Everything Homeowners Need To Know About Buying Aluminum Fences

By Ida Dorsey


Wrought iron fencing was at one time the standard for many properties, appreciated for its strength and elegant appearance it did however, prove to be rather costly and challenging to maintain. Today, aluminum fences have for the most part replaced wrought iron as the fencing material of choice. They offer the same types of designs, are lighter in weight but still durable, and they are basically maintenance-free.

Categorized according to its grade, aluminum fencing is available in commercial, industrial, and residential grades. Urban properties are most often fenced with residential grade materials, but many landowners in the country opt for a stronger grade to keep animals like cattle and horses off their property.

The thickness and strength of the fence is determined by the gauge of the metal used. It's always safest to select fencing which has panels that have been joined using welded seams. If they have assembled with spot or tack welds or rivets they may not be as strong and will therefore be more likely to break down sooner.

The basic structure consists of two parallel, horizontal rails which support a series of vertical pickets which may be straight, curved, or scrolled. The ends of these pickets may be simple or fancy and detailed. There are also posts which have varying weights, with those placed at the ends, corners, or on either side of the gate being heaviest. Posts can be topped off with decorative end caps. The matching gate allows access to the property. Colors may be black, green, white, bronze and several others, and the finishes applied to the material are designed to protect it and eliminate the need for maintenance.

Besides creating a timeless classy look, this versatile fencing provides good security and is suitable for almost any property be it a gated community, place of business, a school, or someone's private residence. There are several heights to choose from to match one's security needs, many homeowners choose aluminum fencing to meet municipal requirements for enclosing an on-site swimming pool.

The market offers buyers a large number of manufacturers to choose from, so it's a good idea to do a little research into what each has to offer before settling on one. The product which most closely matches one's fencing needs is the smartest choice. It is then necessary to locate a distributor in one's area that sells it.

When purchasing the fencing, the buyer should be supplied with a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer. Although the metal has been treated in such a way that it is unlikely to peel, chip, or crack, it still pays to have this added reassurance that any problem will be covered at the manufacturer.

When it comes time to install the new fence, there are several options. The distributor who sold it may also provide this service, one may hire a contractor, or if the homeowner is experienced in fence installation, he may do it himself. Although aluminum fencing is not difficult to install, it does still require a fair amount of precision when it comes to spacing the posts and panels.




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