- blackmonfenceco
Aluminum Fence Vs. Steel Fence: Which Is Better
Updated: Feb 13
Steel and aluminum make excellent fence materials, and both are popular choices. You may wonder, however, if you choose steel or aluminum fencing.
Aluminum and steel have pros and cons that make them better suited to specific applications. While both fencing materials are durable, choosing the right one for your particular needs will save you money in the long run. But some factors determine which one is best in terms of your preferences. Let's take a look!
Look
There's no doubt that aluminum and steel fences look very similar. However, steel cannot do all that aluminum can (or, at least, not at a reasonable price). Consequently, aluminum offers a variety of styles that steel cannot, due primarily to aluminum's malleability. Do not associate malleable with aluminum foil. Aluminum is easier to form and mold into its stylistic forms than steel at some point in the manufacturing process. Ornaments like curves, circles, and arches deserve special attention. It is possible to order highly ornamented steel custom-made, but you will have to pay more.
Strength
In terms of strength, steel wins out over everything else. Impact resistance and weight capacity make steel more robust than other metals. The power of a residential aluminum fence is sufficient to handle anything a residential aluminum fence is expected to face. Commercial or industrial-grade aluminum is best suited to more rugged applications. However, aluminum does have a solution for everything.
Corrosion
When it comes to corrosion, aluminum is unbeatable. Rust happens to steel. However, a powder coating will probably prevent rust on steel, but you must always be careful of tiny nicks and flaws in the coating because even the most minor rust spot can cause corrosion.
Weight
Even though steel weighs more, you may wonder why it even matters if you lean towards it. It'll just stand there, so nobody will ever have to lift it. The reason is that you will have to lift it during shipping and installation. Moreover, steel is 2.5 times heavier than aluminum. Consider the price difference for something weighing twice as much as something weighing two and a half times as much. Also, the shipping cost for steel will be more.
Since it is so heavy, it makes installation much more difficult, no matter you do it yourself or hire a professional.
Price
As we've already discussed, steel does cost more per foot than aluminum (which is quite substantial). On average, steel costs 1.25 to 1.5 times as much as aluminum–but that's just looking at national averages. It can be significantly cheaper when you consider Aluminum Fence's Direct wholesale structure. Once you think that you'll be doing the installation yourself, you're probably more than convinced.
Final Words
Please let us know if you need assistance or are still unsure which fence is best! Blackmon Fence Company is a leading fence & gate contractor in Columbus, Georgia. Our fence installation and repair services meet the needs of our clients.