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If you are considering
installing a fence in your yard, you are likely aware
that there are several options when it comes to what
your fence will be made out of. The most common fencing
material, as many know, is wood. Although wood is a
classic choice for many homeowners, it isn’t necessarily
the end all be all of fence options. In fact, there
are several benefits that metal offers that wood does
not.
The Benefits of Metal Fencing
Although a wood fence has the potential to deteriorate
over time, especially when not treated properly, metal
is considered an extremely resilient material. Metal
comes without the worry of termites and other pests,
and it is durable in a wide range of weather conditions.
Too much rain or damp weather is not an issue with a
metal fence, which is resistant to warping or cracking
due to changes in weather conditions.
Metal also comes in a wide range of design options,
making it a fairly customizable option for home fences.
Metal can be used to create a tall, closely planked
fence for extreme privacy, or it can be used to create
a decorative fence that creates a visual barrier on
a property but does not necessarily block view of the
property from the street and vice versa.
Metal fencing can also be a less expensive alternative
to wood fencing. Depending on the type of metal that
you decide to fence your yard with, the cost per square
foot could be less than wood.
Types of Metal Fencing
The two types of metal that are most prominently used
in metal fencing are aluminum and wrought iron. Aluminum
is the least expensive of the two options. Aluminum
is also extremely versatile and is therefore a good
option for a wide range of uses. Aluminum does not rust
easily, and is for this reason though to be a good option
for those who live in climates that are either damp
or experience changes or damp periods in the spring
and summer months.
The more expensive, but perhaps more artistic, metal
fence option is the wrought iron fence. Wrought iron
fences are typically custom made and are considered
ornamental. A wrought iron fence is not a good option
for those who want extreme privacy provided by a fence.
Rather, it is a decorative element that although it
will cause barriers on a property, it will not block
a home from the view of neighbors or passersby.
Wrought iron is vulnerable to rusting, and therefore
it may not be a good option for those who live in extremely
damp climates. However, even for those who do live in
damp climates, there are measures that can be taken
to prevent long term rusting. Galvanizing the metal,
for example, works to prevent discoloration and rust.
Although wrought iron is considered an ornamental option,
aluminum can nevertheless be very decorative depending
on what type of approach one takes with the aluminum
fence. Therefore, both options are viable for a range
of uses. |
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