Choosing between aluminum vs steel fence is an important decision. Both are excellent options for selecting a fencing material for design, durability, and minimum maintenance.

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Both aluminum and steel fences are virtually maintenance-free, meaning you&#;ll spend more time enjoying the yard &#; not working in it. And, at a fraction of the cost of wrought iron, aluminum and steel fencing provide style and security without breaking the bank.

That said, there are some essential differences between steel and aluminum fences to consider when deciding on the suitable fence material for your home. This guide discusses the three top things to consider when choosing an aluminum vs. steel fence.

Table of Contents

1) Aluminum vs Steel &#; Durability

Compared to traditional fencing materials like wood and chain link, aluminum and steel offer exceptional durability.

Both are made to last. Aluminum, in particular, is impervious to the elements and will not corrode or rust. Steel can rust, but it is well-protected and virtually maintenance-free when treated with a protective coating (such as that found on Ameristar ornamental steel fencing).

If security is a top priority (or you have particularly &#;adventurous&#; kids or pets), you may be better served with a steel fence. Unlike aluminum, a high-strength material, steel fences are manufactured using a welded construction process, reinforcing an already solid material.

You may also want to use more durable materials like aluminum or steel when building protective pool fencing.

2) Aluminum vs Steel &#; The Style

Both aluminum and ornamental steel fences come in various styles, but it&#;s worth noting that aluminum fencing offers a broader range of color options.

If complementing the style and color of your home is most important to you, consider an aluminum fence. Elite Ornamental Aluminum Fencing, for example, is available in seven standard colors &#; and custom colors can be created, as well. Steel fences are typically offered in fewer colors (black and bronze are standard).

Keep in mind that no matter which material you choose, various styling options and accessories are available for steel and aluminum fences. From pressed pear pickets to ball caps, tri, and quad finials to arched loops, steel and aluminum can bring all the sophistication and elegance of wrought iron to your home &#; without all the cost and maintenance.

3) Aluminum vs Steel &#; The Cost

What about aluminum vs. steel fence cost?

Compared to expensive wrought iron fences, maintenance-intensive options like wood, aluminum, and steel fences offer incredible value. But steel is a bit more costly than aluminum due to its more resilient welded construction.

However, keep in mind that extra money spent up-front on either a steel or aluminum fence will doubtlessly save significant costs over time.

The ornamental steel and aluminum fences available from Maintenance-Free Outdoor Solutions feature protective coatings designed to minimize maintenance and protect your investment from the elements.

Minimum maintenance, along with aesthetic appeal, can additionally increase the resale value of your home, as well, significantly upping the long-term return on your investment in an aluminum or steel fence.

Protecting your investment is essential, which is why reputable manufacturers offer limited lifetime warranties on their fences. Make sure when shopping for a fence you consider this important factor, as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are just a few of the most frequently asked questions homeowners have when deciding whether to purchase aluminum vs. steel fences.

Are Aluminum Fences Strong?

They are stronger than most people might think.

While not as strong as steel or wrought iron fencing, residential-grade aluminum fence rails can usually support about 350 lbs. of pressure.

And if you&#;re using industrial-grade fence models, you can expect them to stand up to even higher pressure ratings.

Will an Aluminum Fence Rust?

Aluminum fencing will not rust, making it an excellent maintenance-free fencing option.

Since it does not contain iron or steel, it doesn&#;t react to oxygen or water to the same degree as other metal fencing.

However, it should be noted that quality iron and steel fencing is usually coated with a protective material to prevent rusting and maintain the fence&#;s structural integrity.

Is Aluminum Fencing Expensive?

Aluminum fencing does tend to cost a bit more than other fence types.

According to HomeAdvisor, aluminum fences cost about $26 per linear foot. Compare that to vinyl ($17/sq ft) and wood ($12/sq ft).

That being said, there is a lot more to consider here than simple upfront costs.

For instance, aluminum fencing upkeep is significantly less costly than traditional wood fencing. With wood, you&#;re cleaning, scraping, and repainting your fence every three years if you want to keep it in good shape.

On top of that, a well-built wood fence will typically last about 15 years.

On the other hand, an aluminum fence requires little to no maintenance throughout its lifetime. Typically, spraying it down with the hose every once in a while is all it takes to keep it clean.

Plus, you can expect a solid aluminum fence to last anywhere from 30 to 40 years&#;at least 2X as long as wood.

As you can see, paying a bit more upfront for an aluminum fence is the wiser financial choice in the long run.

For a more detailed breakdown of the expenses, be sure to check out our guide to aluminum fence costs.

Aluminum vs Steel Fence &#; Which is Better?

So, steel or aluminum fence&#;which is better?

Simply put, it depends on what you&#;re looking for in a fence.

When it comes to durability, a steel fence can take more of a beating than an aluminum fence, thanks to its welded construction process.

However, aluminum resists oxidation and will not succumb to rust like steel (unless it&#;s coated with protective materials).

For style, aluminum offers more colors to choose from. This allows for more opportunities to match home styles and surrounding décor. Beyond that, custom colors can be created in some instances.

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On the other hand, steel tends to only be available in a few shades.

Finally, aluminum beats out steel in terms of cost, but not much.

So, when comparing aluminum vs. steel fencing, it depends on which of these factors is more important to you.

Whether Aluminum or Steel, Maintenance-Free Outdoor Solutions Is Your Best Choice

Need help deciding whether an aluminum or ornamental steel fence is suitable for you? Maintenance-Free Outdoor Solutions has been installing maintenance-free fences around the entire St. Louis area since .

Family-based with decades in the industry, we offer the best in American-made fencing in the St. Louis area as a fencing contractor.

And if you are weighing the pros and cons of purchasing an aluminum vs. steel fence, we can help.

For more information on aluminum and steel fencing options from Maintenance-Free Outdoor Solutions, visit our showroom or request a free, full-service estimate.

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Galvanised Steel Wire Mesh Fences

Galvanized mesh fences are mostly made of galv. after weaving or welding meshes offering superior corrosion resistance property. An additional powder coating of plastic or vinyl is applied to galvanized fencing upon requst for additional durability and stronger corrosion protection. Supplied forms are Fence Mesh Rolls and Fence Mesh Panels.

We manufacture and supply gi wire mesh fences of two types, according to the fabric processing types:
Woven mesh fence
Welded mesh fence
Welded mesh fence is a rigid fence, while woven mesh fence is flexible mesh fence.

Woven mesh fence is further classified into:
Chain link mesh fence ( For various border fence, perimeter fence, security fence, mobile fence, etc.), also called Rhomb mesh fence, or Diamond mesh fence.
Twisted woven mesh fence ( For poultry fencing and breeding), also called Hexagonal mesh fence or Poultry fence
Knot woven wire fence ( For livestock field, pasture and agriculture farming), also called Field fence, Horse fence, Cattle fence, Deer fence, Sheep and Goat Fence, Orchard Fence, etc.

Applications: Galvanized metal wire mesh fence are mainly used for Industrial, Commercial, Agricultural and Residential Perimeter Protection
Woven mesh fences with flexible structures are mainly used in poultry fencing, horse fencing, cattle fencing.
Chain link wire fence are mainly used in various perimeter and security fencing with barbed wire tops.
Welded wire fences are universal fencing products. Common welded mesh rolls are used for border safety and protection. 358 welded mesh is popularly used as anti cut perimeter security fencing, mostly worked with concertina barbed wire coils.

Galvanized Mesh Fencing, with Hexagon hole, Diamond Hole, Square Hole, Rectangular Hole

Diamond Mesh Fencing of Galvanized and Anti Rust Coated Chain Link Fence Wire Mesh
Galvanized and green coated mesh fence, 2m height and 40m long each roll.
Specification as follows to SOMALIA:

Chain link type diamond mesh fabric, gauge 9 (.148"), wire mesh: 3mmx60mmx60mm, in rolls 2m height x 40m
Fence accessories: Galvanized post: 60mmxm(600mm buried into ground) , tension Wire: 3mm, binding wire
Color: All green

Expanded Metal Fence Panels
Diamond mesh expanded

Hexagon Mesh Rolled Fence

Hexagonal shape mesh fence rolls reinforced with supplemental horizontal wires, pvc coated, galv. or vinyl coated, in green, black and other colors.

Rectangular Hole 358 Mesh Type Welded Wire Panel Fence

Welded mesh panel and chain link mesh are both used in caging, fencing and barriers.
Examples follow.

Welded Mesh Cages for Dog Fencing

Chain Link Wire Mesh Animal Cages

Galvanized wire chained mesh, collapsible panel with gates

Woven mesh fence and welded mesh fence are both used in construction of general perimeter fencing and temporary mobile fencing. Examples follow.

Chain Link Perimeter Fencing

Welded Mesh Border Panel Fence

Welded mesh fence supplied in curved panels for garden and yard

Welded mesh fabric and chain link fabric are popularly used with barbed wire tops to form high security fencing solutions. Examples follow.

Barbed Wire Topped Chain Link Fence, Galvanized

Security fencing chain link mesh, galv., consisting of:
With barbed wire perimeter, post for gate
Y frame Steel posts to support linear rows of barbed wire, arm length 500 mm
With razor Wire top
Vehicle gates 4 mts x 8 meter wide, with padlock 
Pedestrian gate with padlock

Welded Wire Fencing, Topped with Razor Blade Barbed Wire

Galvanised mesh fence, of welded panels, 2.4m high
Zinc coating: 230grams
Tensile strenghth: 850nmm2
Mesh welded in holes: 50mmx100mm
Wire diameter: 5.0mm
V-bend horizontal
With post galvanised
Overhang: 40x40mmx2.5mm
Barbed wire: Hot dipped razor barbed wire, BTO-22x0.4mmx20mmx12mm

Galvanized fencing gates are supplied with galvanized fencing meshes to form a complete border / perimeter barrier system. Examples follow.

Weld Mesh Fencing Gates

Chain Link Fencing Gates

Galvanizing Before or After

Galvanized fences are Electro Galvanized, Hot Dipped Galvanized, Galfan (Zinc-Aluminum) Galvanized, Galv. + Powder Coated.

Welded Mesh Fences, GBW and GAW.
Welded Mesh Fences GBW ( Galvanized Before Welded ),  are made with pre-galvanized wire then welded into mesh panels. 
Welded Mesh Fences GAW (Galvanized After Welded), are welded with mild steel wire with no zinc coating and the galvanizing is done after the welded wire panel is formed.

Disadvantage and Advantage:
GBW welded wire fences cost less compared with GAW.
GWB welded mesh fences has one disadvantage: During the welding process of the GBW, the galvanizing at the weld spots, where the wires intersect, is burned away. This leaves places in the mesh that have lost the galvanizing protection against rust and corrosion. The weld locations are critical spots that tend to hold moisture longer than the individual wires. This can promote a more rapid decay, as rust eats into the unprotected steel. In interior locations, where the mesh or fence is not exposed to the elements, this is not as much of a problem. Heavier gauge wire will last longer due to the fact that it will take longer for rust to eat through the wire.
Welded mesh fences Galvanized After Weld (GAW) is stronger and durable. The mesh panels are made by dipping welded steel mesh sheet into a bath of molten zinc. The entire mesh panels, including the welded spots, are thoroughly coated with zinc plating against rust and corrosion. The GAW fence panels will last years longer compared with GBW and can be used in various severe conditions.

Woven Fences, GBW and GAW

Woven Wire Fences, Galvanized Before Weaving (GBW)
For woven fences (chain link, hinged or twisted), GBW means a process of Galvanized Before Weaving. Wire mesh Galvanized Before Weaving (GBW) is made with pre-galvanized wire, going through certain weaving process, forming a fabric. During the weaving process, certain spots of the mesh fabric may lose its galvanizing protection.

Woven Wire Fences, Galvanized After Weaving (GAW)
GAW is a process of weaving the fabric first, then the entire mesh sheets are soaked in a melt zinc galvanizing bath.
Galvanized woven fences, for example, hexagonal mesh fences, can be made with double galvanizing ( before and after) to ensure an excellent corrosion resisting property of the finished fences.

How to Choose

The steel wire or mesh becomes corrosion resistant after galvanizing processing. The galvanizing process made before weaving / welding or after, rendering the mesh fences different features.

Generally speaking, Galvanized woven fences and welded fences galv. after offers better corrosion protection and longer services life.
Firstly, Galvanized After Welding ( For welded mesh fences), and Galvanized After Weaving ( For woven mesh fences) enable the mesh fabrics a uniform surface treatment and complete corrosion protection. Galvanized before Welding (GBW) and Galvanizing Before Weaving (GBW) may have parts or spots where the galvanizing damaged during later mesh weave or weld processing.

Secondly, GAW costs higher compared with GBW process in general.

Thirdly, double galvanizing ( galvanized before and after), is available for some galvanized mesh fences with ensured superior corrosion protection.

Fencing Tops - For increasing security of steel fencing system

Concertina wire;
Flat razor wire panels;
Welded razor mesh;
Razor spikes.

We supply fences with a variety of processing and finishes according to application and customer demands.
Write to us and we are always ready to help.

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