aluminum fences

5 Questions to Ask Yourself to See if an Aluminum Fence is Right for You

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Are you considering an aluminum fence? Check out these questions that can help you decide if it’s the best solution for you!

 

While aluminum fencing is inherently easy and straightforward to install, on average taking even DIY novices only a weekend to install, it still can constitute a major renovation to your property, and should be a well thought-out and considered decision.

 

In this article we’ll be looking at 5 questions you should ask yourself to help decide whether an aluminum fence is right for you, as well as what style of aluminum fencing you should select.

Is aluminum right for me?

Your first decision is to consider whether aluminum fencing is the right material for you.

 

Aluminum fencing is a great choice because it is rust and corrosion resistant, meaning it is very low maintenance. It is also lightweight and easy to install while still remaining secure, and if that isn’t enough, it is also highly affordable, too! Because of this, in many instances, you’ll decide that aluminum is the right material of choice for your fencing project.

However, there are some instances when aluminum fencing may not be the right choice for you.

 

For example, if you have existing fencing on your property of a different material, say if you have a front yard and backyard, then opting for a different fencing material may make your property look mismatched or slapdash.

Where will the fence be installed?

Where you intend to place your fencing will also have a great impact on the material you choose.

 

A fence that is simply used to define a backyard, or a classic picket to adorn a front yard are great reasons to choose wood for example, whereas protecting an industrial building would leave steel as the material of choice.

 

However, aluminum can be a great alternative for both of these instances — it requires far less maintenance than wood, and can be far cheaper than steel.

Aluminum fencing is great for all purpose uses, as it can be both stylish and secure, perfect for protecting a residential property while simultaneously giving it an attractive renovation. Along with vinyl fencing, aluminum fencing is a great choice for enclosing areas around water such as around ponds or pools, as it is both rust and corrosion resistant. A locking gate on these areas can help keep small children away from the water as well!

 

Once you’ve decided aluminum fencing is your material of choice, you’ll next need to consider the type that is best for your needs:

What is my fence’s purpose?

What are you requiring fencing for? One of the great things about aluminum fencing is that is can be tailored for a wide range of purposes, from keeping small pets and puppies safe to protecting your poolside.

 

Before choosing your fence style it is worth considering these factors to ensure your fencing functions as intended.

Do I want to focus on function or form?

Is your aluminum fence intended to increase the security of your home or to add to its appearance? If the former is the case, then you may wish to opt for an aluminum security fence, if the latter is the case, then there are a whole host of stunning ornamental fences to choose from.

What is my budget?

Overall, aluminum fencing is one of the cheapest metal fencing options around. However, prices will still vary depending on the scale of your project as well as intended fencing design and the supplier you purchase from.

 

Having a clear budget set in your mind will help to make this decision easier and ensure you don’t overpay or splurge on too many add-ons that may not be necessary.

Other Considerations

The following questions are specific to certain homes and individuals, and you may or may not need to consider them, but they are as follows:

 

Do I need to consider HOA or local regulations?

 

Is your house part of a homeowner’s association, or is your property listed or subject to any other rules or regulations where erecting fencing could be classed as a violation?

 

Before making your purchase, ensure you have the permission of any necessary parties to prevent any conflict. No homeowner wants to spend their weekend working hard to install their fencing only to find that due to a violation of a rule or regulation they have to remove it only a few weeks later!

Are there any additional challenges on my property?

 

Lastly, you should consider any installation challenges which may be unique to your property.

 

Properties with uneven terrain, for example, are likely to require aluminum fence panels that can be stepped or racked, whereas a property with a large amount of trees may present challenges when it comes to creating post holes due to root structures.

 

Being aware of the issues unique to your yard will enable you to plan ahead, and select the aluminum fencing best suited to your property. This will ensure that installation is simple and straightforward, with no surprises along the way!

aluminum fences

Benefits of Ornamental Aluminum Fencing

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When you’re looking to increase the curb appeal of your home or business, ornamental fencing is one of the best things you can do. Read on to learn more about the benefits of ornamental aluminum fencing.

Not all fencing is utilitarian and designed solely to protect your property or business. Some fencing can be used to delineate aspects of your property, add a sense of style, or add serious curb appeal to your property. If any of these options appeal to you and you are looking to breathe new life into your property or business, then you may wish to consider installing ornamental aluminum fencing.

Why Spring for Ornamental Fencing?

#1 Security – While ornamental fencing isn’t primarily designed for high levels of security, it does still offer your property or business increased protection. Even fencing around 3ft high can still increase the security of your home. This is because fencing of any kind gives off the psychological message to hopeful intruders that you care for your property and its safety. This often will cause nefarious individuals to decide your home isn’t worth exploring, as it is likely you’ll have more specified security measures on the property.

#2 Your Space – A fence of any kind will also mark off your property to others. This will prevent members of the public taking shortcuts across your lawn, for example, or dog owners allowing their pets to use your yard as their own public toilet! A fence therefore guarantees that your land is your own, and no one else’s.

#3 Maximum Pay Off with Minimum Maintenance – An ornamental fence can improve the overall appearance of your property tenfold, as well as providing security and marking out your space. To top things off, all these great benefits come with a fencing solution that is also incredibly low maintenance.

Aluminum is naturally rust and corrosion resistant, meaning you won’t need to worry about costly upkeep such as protective coatings or rust prevention. While of course given time, your fencing may show some signs of age, this will typically look natural, with no rust or bubbling or cracking of the surface, meaning it will look the perfect fit for your home. In terms of the upkeep aluminum fencing does require, it is as simple as cleaning it yearly and giving it a general check over for any kind of damage or wear as you do so.

#4 Fabulous and Affordable – Another great thing to note about ornamental aluminum fencing is that your entire property can be transformed for a cost-effective price. Of course, a large-scale fencing project of any kind is an investment, but compared to purchasing wrought iron, which is cumbersome and costly from the outset, or wooden fencing, which tends to have costly upkeep, aluminum fencing is a very affordable option.

#5 A Huge Range of Options – Aluminum ornamental fencing is also available in a huge range of styles designed to perfectly match any type of property. From minimalist and modern styles that are an ideal match for modern homes to more elaborate and traditional styles, ideal for classic, traditional homes, there really is an aluminum fencing option for every kind of homeowner.

#6 Accessories – Aluminum ornamental fencing can have a variety of additional accessories, which can allow you to customize your fencing to perfectly suit the style and appearance of your property. Accessories such as finials, ball caps, and scrolls can all add that extra element to truly make a design statement.

#7 Colors – Aluminum fencing also comes three colors to greatly suit your home. White, bronze, and black options allow you to match the features of your property, making it seem as though the fence has stood since your property was built.

#8 Increase the Value of your Property – A brand new fence can also potentially increase the value of your property. Similar to the way other renovations can increase the appeal and value of your home, brand new, attractive, and well-installed fencing can make your home much more attractive to potential buyers, should you ever look to sell, and can help elevate your neighborhood appeal as well.

#9 Add Serious Curb Appeal – An ornamental fence can also add serious curb appeal to your property or business. This can be particularly important in regards to business owners, as a well-kept exterior makes a great first impression to clients, and may even help to draw new customers in.

What’s Not to Love?

There really is no drawback to installing an ornamental aluminum fence. With multiple color options, additional accessories, and a multitude of designs to choose from to begin with, you’re guaranteed to find a combination that feels made for you.

Aluminum fencing is perfectly low maintenance, and is even incredibly easy to install, meaning minimum disruption to your home or business.

In fact, aluminum fencing is so lightweight and easy to install that it requires barely any equipment or experience to install, and can be erected in a weekend. With so much to gain and nothing to lose, why not look into what type of ornamental aluminum fencing will work best for you?

aluminum fences

Aluminum or Vinyl Fencing for Use on a Cemetery or Family Plot

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A grave or family plot can provide an important emotional connection to the past, so it’s important to keep it in good condition. Aluminum fencing can help protect a grave and keep it looking beautiful.

Losing a loved one is probably the hardest thing that many of us will have to face in our lives. The loss of someone we love in our lives can be keenly felt, and is why many families feel so connected to loved ones’ graves or family plots. It becomes a place to be close to those that have passed, and many families choose to decorate this plot to suit the loved ones they’ve lost, or to create a space where they can sit and reflect.

Therefore, many families have been choosing to add aluminum or vinyl fencing to their plots, to help create a special space for them to visit. Therefore, in this article we’ll be exploring some of the reasons why families are choosing to do this, and why you might wish to add fencing to your own family plot.

Why Aluminum or Vinyl?

When many of us think of cemetery fencing, we think of traditional wrought iron fencing. However, for many modern families, this fencing option is a thing of the past. Listed below are some of the main reasons why families have chosen vinyl or aluminum fencing for their plots.

Price

Wrought iron is heavy, expensive, and can be costly to install. Sadly, while we all want the best for our loved ones, funeral costs can be a hefty hit to savings, leaving budgets a little strained when it comes to the cemetery plot. Aluminum and vinyl fencing are far more affordable options than wrought iron, without compromising on durability or appearance. It is also much more lightweight and far more easy to install, being able to be installed in a day by you and some helpers. This could even make a good group activity to talk about your departed loved one, and reminisce on some of the great moments of their lives.

Maintenance

Often due to hectic lives, those in charge of maintaining a loved one’s grave site are not able to attend their loved one’s resting place as often as they’d like. Wrought iron is a fencing solution which can require a lot of care. It is vulnerable to rust and deterioration, and can have inherent imperfections in the material which can cause the fencing to deteriorate faster. This can leave a plot sadly looking shabby and unkempt, something their family would never want for their loved one, and repairs and replacements can become expensive.

On the flip side, aluminum fencing is highly rust and corrosion resistant, as is vinyl. Both fencing options are also easy to clean, and are long lasting and require little care, meaning the grave site looks well cared for years down the line.

Security

Fencing offers security to your family plot. Depending on the type of headstone you have, to distracted mourners or visitors your plot can be overlooked, resulting in individuals trampling over the plot, of course unintentionally. This can cause damage and is of course hurtful to you and your family. Therefore, the correct fencing can help mark out your plot and prevent accidental trampling.

Sadly, grave sites are often plagued by vandals seeking to shock or upset innocent members of the public. Having fencing around your plot can also help to prevent this, especially if your fencing of choice features finials.

Style!

Many modern families view death as a moment to celebrate life and remember the person as they were. Fencing around a plot helps to customize your loved ones resting place, and can even help to reflect the type of person they were in life. Vinyl and aluminum fencing is great for this, because they come in a wide range of styles and designs.

Aluminum fencing can be minimal, modern, traditional, or highly decorative. This traditional type of fencing can be a great and respectful addition to their resting place.

Vinyl fencing also has a range of traditional and modern styles, but also comes in a huge range of colours. From muted to bright to bold, this type of fencing can be great to reflect the taste of lost loved ones who were younger or who were just big characters! Of course, if your plot is communal you’ll need to make sure you aren’t breaking any overall rules with your style or color choice.

Remembering the Good Times

Either way, whatever you and your family choose, it is important to remember that in times of grief and loss there really is no right or wrong answer. Take your time to heal first, and make the grave site a place that you feel able to be comfortable visiting, as well as to be able to remember the good times you had with your dearly departed loved one. Work together with your family to find the best solution that both fits your budget and honors the memory of those lost.

aluminum fences

How to Protect your Aluminum Fence from Storm Damage

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Storm damage can make a big mess of your property, but with the right preparations, your aluminum fencing can come out the other side none the worse for wear.

Depending on where in the country you live, you may find storms such as hurricanes, tornados, or just highly inclement weather can be a relatively regular fixture. The severity of the storm in question can cause huge amounts of damage to your property, though usually the damage is nothing an afternoon’s DIY can’t fix, especially if you’ve taken the correct preventative measures.

To help ensure you’re able to keep your property in the best shape possible, in this article we’ll be exploring some of the steps you can take to prevent your aluminum fence from storm damage.

Aluminum’s Inherent Strengths

Aluminum is an inherently durable and long-lasting fencing option. It is able to survive the worst that each season can throw at it, and usually will emerge unscathed. Aluminum is inherently rust and corrosion resistant, meaning high levels of rainwater shouldn’t be an issue. It is also a relatively strong metal, though lightweight, and can remain unmoved in high winds.

Even if the worst should happen, and an extreme storm makes your fencing no longer fit for use, aluminum can be easily recycled, and can even be sold for scrap, giving you a boost in funds towards replacement fencing.

Prepare to Protect

Listed below are the steps you can take in preparation for stormy weather to ensure your fence stays standing and remains undamaged.

#1 Inspection – As a good home owner, you should inspect your fence for damage every few months. This helps ensure your property is safe and protected. If you know that stormy weather is coming, give your fencing a check over. This will allow you to shore up any weak spots.

While aluminum inherently won’t rust, in severe conditions or with poor maintenance, small amounts of corrosion may appear. Check the joints of your fencing, as well as the portions lower to the ground (that are therefore more exposed to moisture) for any signs of corrosion (often speckles of green or white), and deal with them accordingly.

#2 Postholes – When it comes to high winds, the weak point of your fencing is the post holes. The posts of your fencing should be secured in the ground with cement, which will weigh down and secure the fencing in the ground. However, if the concrete has deteriorated or cracked, or the ground around it has pulled away, your fencing will be able to move, and that movement combined high winds could topple the fence over entirely or result in a panel being entirely ripped away.

#3 Tidy your Yard – This may seem obvious, but tidy your yard prior to bad weather. If you have lawn ornaments such as small statuary, remove or secure them. The same goes for barbecues and patio furniture. Removing these items to somewhere safe will not only ensure your garden accessories aren’t lost, but will also prevent them from becoming weapons to your fencing. Large furniture and objects can be thrown at fencing in high winds, warping and damaging it beyond repair.

#4 Trim Trees – If your property has a lot of trees surrounding it, then it is wise not only for protecting your fence, but also you and your home, to trim down overgrown or oversized branches and clear any deadwood you find. Check the stability of the trees on your property and take the necessary steps if you deem them to be at risk of falling. A falling branch, tree limb, or entire tree can completely destroy entire panels of your fencing, not to mention cause untold damage to your home.

#5 Remove Accessories – If your fence has additional accessories such as finials that can be removed, and you suspect a particularly nasty storm is incoming, then it may be wise to remove them. Of course, a flying fence panel propelled by storm winds is dangerous in itself, but sharper spikes or finials can make your fencing an extra threat if it comes loose. Therefore, where possible it is best to err on the safe side.

#6 Keep Yourself Safe! – Most importantly though, keep yourself safe. Only take preventive or protective measures if it is safe to do so. Your home should only be your concern after that of you and your loved ones. After all, a fence is replaceable, you are not!

Upgrade to Aluminum

If your fencing is old, has been poorly maintained, or is made of inferior materials such as wood, then the best preventative measure against storm damage that you can take is to upgrade to aluminum fencing.

Compared to wooden fencing, aluminum fencing is superior in every way. Strong, durable, and without the risks of rotting or rust, aluminum fencing is made to last a lifetime, not simply a year or two. It is easy to install, can be recycled indefinitely, and compared to other metal fencing is highly affordable.