Wood or Aluminum: Which is Right for Me?

After spending months (sometimes years) of stressful time and planning, you and your loved one step outside on the deck and marvel at your new large yard behind your newly bought home. You gaze upon the neighborhood and watch the neighbors’ kids playing with pets, swinging on swing sets, and jumping in a pool. You see all this and realize you don’t have a fence surrounding your own pool, and that needs to change. But how do you decide which kind of fence is best?

Choosing a fence to surround your home’s yard may seem like an easy choice (and it can be) but there are certain factors to consider before putting the extra money down on your yard. Some questions to ask yourself are whether you’re putting a fence down for privacy or practicality, or whether you mind people seeing into your property or not. Do you want something you can paint to a color of your liking or a classier approach? Do you have a puppy that you don’t want escaping? The options are vast but straight-forward.

Weighing the Options

Fencing material is an important part of the deciding factor. Wood fencing has been around for ages but as time goes on more and more people prefer the streamlined and more modern look of an ornate aluminum fence. Naturally wood fences can provide more privacy, while aluminum fences can be sturdier and last much longer. If you have a pool a subtle aluminum pool fence can match the visual quality of your pool area and bring both elements to a heightened atmosphere.  Both have their advantages and disadvantages to consider before making the big purchase.

Choosing Cost

Price is a big deciding factor when buying a fence, and the price of labor is often a forgotten element of the equation. Since wood fencing can often involve being built from scratch, the cost of labor is much higher than aluminum fencing, which generally comes pre-built and segmented. While the cost of aluminum material is generally cheaper than wood, not all woods types are more expensive. The overall size of your yard and thus size of the fence should be considered, as the amount of material and labor can add up unexpectedly.

Maintenance

If you expect to remain in your new home for decades or longer it’s worth considering how much you want to spend on fencing maintenance in the future. Wood is a natural material that can be weathered by the elements much quicker than aluminum fencing and must be repaired or outright replaced over time. If you wish to have a fence for privacy but live in an area known for active tornadoes or harsh weather you should consider such events damaging the wood over time, especially with its predictability. Aluminum fencing can brave almost any weather and is considered much sturdier and more resistant to mold and outside forces.

Fencing your yard may seem like a stressful endeavor at first but the reality of the situation is much simpler. You have questions to ask yourself and understand your intentions with a fence, but the options are there. You’ll be looking at this fence for years, so make it something you like looking at.

iFenceUSA is an online distributor of wholesale aluminum fences and gates for residential, resortcommercial, and industrial applications.  As an industry leader in maintenance-free aluminum fencing products we have all your aluminum fence and gate needs covered.  More information can be found online at https://www.ifenceusa.com/.