Aluminium fencing is quickly becoming the fence of choice in Aussie backyards, pool zones and commercial blocks alike. It looks a lot like wrought iron, yet it weighs a fraction as much, won’t rust, and barely needs a weekend’s worth of elbow grease to stay sharp.
In this guide, you’ll learn a lot about aluminium fences – we’ve aimed to capture every important detail that’s likely to help you make better fencing decisions – let’s jump in.
Different Grades of Aluminium Fences
Aluminium fences aren’t one-size-fits-all. Before you order panels from a top-rated company like Boresi Fencing in Sydney, you need to match the grade to the job so you don’t overspend – or worse, end up with pickets that buckle when the kids punt a footy into them.
Residential Grade
You’ll see residential grade in most suburban front yards. The pickets are hollow, roughly 16 mm square, and the rails are light enough for one person to lift a full panel without grunting. If you mainly want to mark out your boundary, keep pets in, or create a compliant pool barrier, the residential grade does the trick at the lowest price. Just remember, those lighter pickets can dent if a lawnmower or wheelie bin whacks the fence. Moreover, tight fastenings matter too; if the rails aren’t screwed off properly, pickets can wriggle free after a few seasons, and you’ll need someone to help you re-install or maintain them.
Commercial Grade
Step up to commercial grade when you need a bit more grunt – think childcare centres, duplex driveways or streets with constant pedestrian traffic. The pickets are typically 19-25 mm, the rails are thicker-walled aluminium, and the brackets often use stainless screws rather than galvanised ones. Yes, here you pay more than residential, but you dodge the minor dents and wobbles that lighter fences can pick up over time.
Industrial Grade
Industrial grade is the heavy hitter: solid pickets a full 25 mm or more, walls over a millimetre thick, and welds instead of simple brackets at the joins. You’ll find it wrapping factories, public pools and shopping centre carparks where cars, trolleys and forklifts lean on the panels all week.
Truth be told, these may feel like overkill for a home project, yet if you’ve got large dogs or you simply rate security above all, industrial grade is your clear and indisputable winner.
Core Features of an Aluminium Fence
Aluminium’s popularity isn’t just hype or a scam. Here we have listed five distinct strengths that set aluminium slat fencing apart from timber, vinyl and mild steel.
Durability & Longevity
Because aluminium is non-ferrous it can’t rust the way steel does. Add a quality powder coat and you’re looking at 30 years or more of service even in the salty coastal air. Without the threat of termite damage or dry rot, you simply hose it down and move on with your weekend.
Affordability
You might pay a touch more up-front than you would for pine, yet aluminium undercuts wrought iron by a mile and even beats many hardwood setups once you factor in labour. Its low weight slashes transport costs, and installation takes hours rather than days, so the tradie’s invoice stays sensible.
Corrosion Resistance
That silvery metal you see under a scratch is actually a self-sealing oxide layer that blocks deeper corrosion. A powder-coat finish pushes the protection further, making aluminium a smart pick for beachside suburbs from Bondi to Broome.
Low Maintenance
If you hate cleaning up the hustle of yearly touch-ups, aluminium slat fencing is a go-to option for you. Forget annual oiling or stain runs. A soft sponge, warm soapy water, and a light spray from the garden hose every six months will keep the surface free of dust, cobwebs and salt.
Environmentally Friendly
Aluminium is 100 per cent recyclable!
Off-cuts from fabrication can be melted down and reused with zero loss of strength, and when a fence finally reaches retirement age decades down the track it can be recycled again, thus shrinking the long-term environmental footprint.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Choosing Aluminium Fences
Advantages
- Long service life; handles sun, rain, salt and bushfire embers.
- Low ongoing upkeep: no rust treatments, no stain tins.
- Lightweight panels are installed swiftly and suit sloping blocks.
- Non-toxic and fire-resistant; safe for children and pets.
- Modern powder-coating delivers scores of colours and even timber-look finishes.
Disadvantages
- Dearer up-front than treated pine or budget PVC.
- Not as impact-proof as solid steel; heavy knocks can bend a picket.
- Deep scratches expose shiny metal and can look obvious until you touch them up.
- Colour gradually fades in the harsh, unrelenting sun, especially if you choose lower-grade coatings.
- Less scope for ornate, one-off designs than hand-forged wrought iron.
How to Maintain the Glory of Your Aluminium Fences
A set-and-forget reputation doesn’t mean you ignore the fence altogether. Follow these quick habits and you’ll stretch every dollar you spend on installation.
Give It an Intensive Clean
Twice a year, mix a bucket of warm water with a mild detergent. Wipe each panel with a soft sponge or microfibre cloth.
Tip: Do not use scouring pads; they can scratch the finish and you won’t like it!
Rinse Well
Detergent residue attracts dust. After you suds up the fence, hose it from top rail to bottom so the water sheets cleanly away.
Wax for Extra Shine
A coat of ordinary automotive wax once a year seals the surface against oxidation and leaves rainwater beading off. Work one panel at a time and buff lightly.
Protect Against Physical Damage
Keep lawn equipment, bikes and wheelie bins at arm’s length. If you’re pruning branches above the fence line, guide heavy limbs down with a rope to avoid an unfortunate dent.
Check for Damage Regularly
After summer storms or strong winds, care a bit to walk the perimeter. Tighten loose screws, tap rails back to plumb, and sand scratches before touching up with colour-matched paint supplied by your installer.
Call Professionals for a Major Service
When hinges sag, gates drag or you spot multiple bent pickets, book a licenced fencing crew. A specialist like Boresi Fencing carries the important supplies and replacement rails needed to reinstate factory strength, and the job usually wraps up in the afternoon.
Protect Your Home & Family During Peak Burglary Season
Several reports show Aussie break-ins spike in the summer month when daylight lingers and homes sit empty on holiday weekends. A sturdy, professionally installed aluminium fencing forms a clear physical barrier that thieves are reluctant to bypass, especially if you pair it with motion-sensor lights and a visible street number plaque.
Taller pickets or privacy slats around 1.8 metres high make it harder for would-be intruders to access the yard, giving you extra peace of mind when you’re away from your home.
Always Trust Fencing Professionals for Robust Aluminium Slat Fencing Installation
Selecting the right grade is half the battle; installing it square, level and compliant is the other half. When you’re ready for an aluminium fence that does its job from day one, reach out to local fencing specialists like Boresi Fencing. Their team measures your site, fabricates panels to suit slopes, and powder-coats them in colours that match your roof or gutters. One phone call secures an obligation-free quote and saves you from weekends spent wrestling posts into concrete.
Most Commonly Asked Questions About Aluminium Fences
How long will an aluminium fence last?
Expect 20–30 years near the coast and up to 50 years inland, provided you wash it occasionally and touch up chips.
How do you maintain an aluminium fence?
Wash with mild detergent twice a year, rinse well, inspect fastenings annually or after a major weather backlash, and keep gates lubricated.
How often should you clean your aluminium fence?
Every six months is ample for most suburbs. If you live within a kilometre of breaking surf or beside a dusty unsealed road, aim for every three months.
The above article is paid content, and any information presented should be independently verified before making any decisions as a result of the content. This article does not constitute advice of any kind, nor does it represent the opinions of the website publisher.