What are the disadvantages of a metal fence?

Centuries ago, when only a few blacksmiths produced wrought-iron fencing, it was a sign of wealth and status. But as more and more blacksmiths began producing it in the s, wrought-iron fencing became more commonplace.

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Today, it isn&#;t as rare or prohibitively expensive as it once was. But it still looks expensive, and that&#;s a big part of its appeal.

Most of today&#;s wrought-iron fencing, mainly made of steel or aluminum, comes from large factories. And it isn&#;t the only kind of metal fencing available. Other than chain link fencing, which is mostly utilitarian, decorative metal fencing comes in shapes and styles that look nothing like wrought-iron. Styles feature sleek horizontal or vertical balusters, slats and combinations thereof.

Some metal fencing comes in kits with fencing panels and posts. If you purchase a kit like this, or one with spiked posts you drive into the ground, you can often do the installation yourself. Whether you choose to DIY your fence or have it professionally installed, metal fencing deserves a closer look.

Metal Fence Pros

Whether it&#;s painted cool metallic gray or jet black, or features clean lines or ornate curves, metal has an aesthetic appeal unmatched by any other fencing material. That&#;s an important selling point.

Here are some others:

• Long-lasting: Metal is one of the most durable of all fencing materials. Hollow steel fences last upwards of 20 years. Aluminum fences, as well as solid metal and iron ones, can last a lifetime.
• Low-maintenance: Apart from periodic repainting to control rust, metal fences need no maintenance. They don&#;t stain or rot, and insects can&#;t hurt them.
• Cost-effective: Metal isn&#;t the cheapest fence material, but it isn&#;t the most expensive, either. A range of options exist to suit every budget.
• DIY installation is possible: Kits require setting posts and screwing panels to them. Depending on how you set the posts and the weight of the panels, you might do the installation yourself. Professional installation is required for heavy steel and wrought-iron fences, because they often must be lifted into place with heavy equipment.

Metal Fence Cons

DIY installation isn&#;t always an option and professional installation adds to the upfront costs. Metal fencing has two other drawbacks:

• Many styles lack privacy: Some solid aluminum panels or slats provide privacy, but conventional metal fencing with pickets, balusters and semi-transparent panels are primarily for decoration.
• Lack of security: Lightweight aluminum fencing is more vulnerable to break-ins than wood or composites. Solid steel and iron are less vulnerable, but they&#;re significantly more expensive.

Types of Metal Fences

Metal fences can be made from aluminum, steel or iron. They feature a durable powder-coat finish to protect against rust. Some metal fences are variations of traditional wrought-iron fences with pickets. Some of the other picket styles available:

• Straight pickets with a square cross-section terminating with a spear, ball or fleur-de-lis.
• Alternating pickets that form a loop over intermediate ones.
• Straight pickets terminating with two top rails that include a design feature, such as circles or crosses.
• Curved shapes crisscrossing the spaces between the pickets to mimic the intricate designs of vintage wrought iron.

Metal fences also incorporate more contemporary styles. These are perhaps more common than faux wrought iron. Among them:

• Straight, featureless balusters extending between a top and bottom rail.
• Privacy panels made from vertical or horizontal slats, to mimic the appearance of a wood fence.
• Corrugated metal panels, also used for privacy fencing.
• Metal panels or screens with laser-cut semi-transparent designs. Some give the fencing a futuristic look.

How Much Does a Metal Fence Cost?

At the low end, the cost compares favorably to other materials. Tubular steel or aluminum fencing kits, which include posts, panels and everything you need to assemble them, runs from $20 to $35 per linear foot, about the same as a quality wood, vinyl or composite fence.

If you don&#;t do the installation yourself, add labor costs from $35 to $75 per hour. That translates to about $20 to $25 additional per linear foot, or between $4,000 and $5,000 for a 200-foot fence.

At the high end, metal fencing is in a price class of its own. A tall, sturdy aluminum or solid steel fence can cost $60 per linear foot just for materials. Installation costs are higher because the job is more difficult. You&#;ll need deep pockets if you want real wrought iron because materials alone can be as much as $125 per linear foot.

Metal Fence Maintenance

It&#;s crucial to maintain the finish on a steel fence. The factory coating doesn&#;t last forever, and when the metal begins to rust, the damage may be irreversible.

Restoring the finish is a relatively easy job with a can of rust-preventative spray paint. Aluminum doesn&#;t rust, so touching up the finish from time to time will restore the color. If you skip that, you don&#;t have to worry about deterioration.

Metal Fence Installation

Assembling a lightweight aluminum or steel fence is a job any homeowner who doesn&#;t mind digging fence post holes can handle.

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It calls for precision, though, because the posts must be accurately placed for the panels to fit between them. If you get the spacing right, you can do most of the rest of the job with a drill/driver, because the panels have brackets that screw onto the posts.

Most homeowners will opt for professional installation for one or more of these reasons:

• A typical fence calls for a large number of panels. Transporting and carrying them is a lot of work.
• Posts may need to be mounted on an existing concrete or brick substrate, requiring professional building techniques.
• Heavy steel or wrought-iron panels must be lifted and positioned with a mechanical crane.
• Racking panels (arranging them to follow the slope of the ground) calls for precision and experienced workmanship.
• Some high-end fences must be constructed on-site; they don&#;t come as panels. That&#;s definitely a job for a pro.

Last Updated: September 23,

Planning to install a new fence? If you want to select the best fence possible, you will need to debate the pros and cons of fencing materials like aluminum, vinyl, wood, steel, wrought iron, and chain-link. Some of these options are affordable, some are durable, some are easy to install, and some are versatile and beautiful. However, they each come with drawbacks as well: high costs, a tendency to rust, lack of style, frequent and frustrating maintenance . . . So before you make your final decision, be sure to consider all of the pros and cons of fencing materials. We would be happy to help you with your homework.

The Pros and Cons of Fencing Materials

ALUMINUM FENCING

Pros: Aluminum fencing is versatile, affordable, and durable. Plus, it requires very little maintenance. You can easily install it yourself, but if you choose to have professionals handle the job, the cost won&#;t be extravagant. Aluminum fences work well on sloped landscapes, and they come in a variety of stylish designs and colors. To learn more about the benefits of aluminum fencing, click here.

Cons: Aluminum costs more than wood upfront, but because of the lack of maintenance, it will cost less in the long run. Though not as strong as steel, as you might have guessed, aluminum fencing will stand up to most environments. Finally, it won&#;t work well as a privacy fence, so if you want to block out your neighbors, try vinyl instead.

VINYL FENCING

Pros: Vinyl fencing is sold in a wide range of styles at affordable prices. It is also durable and strong, so you won&#;t have to worry about it warping, rotting, or blistering. If you enjoy home renovation projects, feel free to tackle the installation of your vinyl fence on your own. Most vinyl fencing systems snap together in lightweight pieces, making installation a breeze. Plus, many vinyl systems contain an interior of aluminum for durability and strength. To learn more about the benefits of vinyl fencing, click here.

Cons: No fencing material is perfect, so despite vinyl&#;s many benefits, we must acknowledge its limitations and downsides. Vinyl, like aluminum, has a higher upfront cost. However, the lack of maintenance should make up for that over the years. In addition, it lacks the formidable strength of some other fencing materials, and it can turn brittle and crack in extreme temperatures.

WOOD FENCING

Pros: Wood is a historical favorite. It is attractive and usually inexpensive. Plus, it&#;s very versatile, coming in many different designs and styles. It works well for privacy fences, and you can paint it any color you like (or simply stain it).

Cons: Wood requires a lot of maintenance, and that maintenance can be exhausting and expensive. You will probably have to regularly treat or stain it for added protection. Weather takes its toll on wood fencing, and you may notice rotting or warping due to excess moisture. Finally, and unfortunately, termites and other pests adore wood just as much as humans, which can lead to destructive infestations.

STEEL FENCING

Pros: You can&#;t deny the strength of steel. Powerful, heavy, and long lasting, it can act as a protective barrier like a security gate. You can rack steel fencing to suit uneven or sloped land, and most steel fences are galvanized and covered in a powder coating to prevent rusting.

Cons: Steel tends to be quite expensive, and it lacks versatility. For example, you can&#;t use it as a privacy fence because its panels lack the needed coverage. Due to its weight, we don&#;t recommend that amateurs attempt to install it. In fact, some professionals view steel as entirely impractical for residential and family use. They only recommend using it on industrial premises.

WROUGHT IRON FENCING

Pros: Wrought iron is known for its beauty and durability. It requires little maintenance and works well for creative, decorative designs. Due to its extreme strength and resilience, you can expect wrought iron to last for many years to come. Tremendously hard to break, it makes an excellent security fence for those seeking a high level of protection. Unlike wood, it won&#;t rot, warp, deteriorate, dry out, or become home to termites. Finally, many people appreciate the patina that develops on wrought iron over time due to oxidation.

Cons: Heavy and difficult to handle, wrought iron fencing can be arduous to install. Looking at the pros and cons of fencing materials, you&#;ll also find that wrought iron is your most expensive option. Depending on your climate and location (damp environments are particularly susceptible), a wrought iron fence can develop rust spots. These typically arise in areas where the paint is scratched or chipped, so we recommend that you inspect, sand, and repaint damaged areas promptly if you don&#;t like the patina.

CHAIN-LINK FENCING

Pros: Chain-link fencing is inexpensive, durable, and typically maintenance-free. It is also easy to install. If you take a look around your community, you will likely spot chain-link fencing everywhere, mostly due to its affordability. As a consequence of galvanization (a chemical process to prevent rusting), chain-link fencing lasts a long time with limited maintenance. Some people appreciate its flexibility as well.

Cons: Chain-link fences are very utilitarian in appearance: no-frills, basic, pedestrian, and rugged. Many people would describe chain-link fences as boring, and some might go so far as to deem them unattractive. Since chain-link fencing is commonly used at industrial sites or in utilitarian applications (schoolyards, prisons, surrounding electrical enclosures), it isn&#;t very popular amongst stylish homeowners. People can easily climb over residential chain-link fences as well, so they don&#;t provide much protection. Finally, they won&#;t deter prying eyes unless you add slats, so you shouldn&#;t utilize them for privacy fencing.

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Now that you&#;ve done your research and investigated the pros and cons of fencing materials, you should feel more confident moving forward with the purchase of your new fence. Once you figure out your priorities and determine your budget and style preferences, choosing the material for your new fence should be simple. We recommend vinyl and aluminum &#; strong, long-lasting, and beautiful fencing materials that require virtually no maintenance.

If you&#;re looking to add a new vinyl or aluminum fence to your property, be sure to check out MMC Fencing & Railing. To learn more about our premium fencing systems, browse through the MMC Fencing & Railing online store or give us a call at 1-866-931-.

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