Aluminum Fencing: Better Than Other Metals
Aluminum is an ubiquitous metal.It’s used in countless products and for many applications which makes it easyto forget that up until the late 1800s, aluminum was considered a preciousmetal and commanded a price to match. That all changed when a process wasdeveloped to extract aluminum from bauxite, an abundantrock containing lots of aluminum. With the influx of cheap aluminum cameexperimentation, leading to the multitude of uses we see today. Aluminum is anexcellent choice for fencing for several reasons; here’s why:
- Corrosion Resistance. Aluminum doesn’t rust, which is a big advantage for outdoor applications like fencing. Iron-containing materials can be coated or plated, but as soon as that finish gets scratched off, rust will follow. The portions of post sections that sit in the ground are particularly vulnerable to rusting and corroding. With aluminum fencing this isn’t an issue as a powder coating adds further protection to all surfaces, including anything exposed through punching and notching.
- Ease of Fabrication. Aluminum is easier to work with than iron, which cuts down on costs. It can be formed into nearly any shape or design, allowing for lots of style options! Aluminum fencing is often made to look just like wrought iron but can be had in a variety of styles.
- Durability. Iron is stronger overall but aluminum has a much higher strength to weight ratio. By constructing fence rails with three contact points per pick, the strength of aluminum fences is remarkably high, which eliminates sagging. The fact that it’s light weight also allows for easier, faster installation!
Aluminum has a lot going for it, particularly when it comes to fencing. If you are in Middle Tennessee and are weighing your options for fencing, we encourage you to contact us! Even if aluminum is not the way you decide to go, we offer a variety of fencing styles, such as picket, privacy, chain link, post and rail, and vinyl options.