Comparing Wood And Aluminum Fencing
Fences can be made out of a wide range of different materials, each of which comes with a distinct set of benefits and drawbacks. Two of the most common types of materials used for both residential and commercial fences are wood and aluminum, which both possess very different material qualities. Understanding the different advantages associated with each type of fencing material can help you choose the one that is the best fit for your property's needs.
Wood Fencing
Wooden fences provide a luxurious and natural aesthetic to your yard that other types of materials just can't emulate. Further, wood provides a number of aesthetic customization options, since it can be easily sanded down and stained again at any point in the future to alter the appearance of your fence. Wooden fences can also be easily painted if you want to move away from more natural colors, giving you an even wider range of design options for your fence. Wood fences can also be easily cut into designs and styles, meaning that you can have a traditional picket fence or a large privacy fence installed in your yard.
However, wood as a fencing material does come with a few major downsides. Most notably, it will need to be painted or sealed every few years (or every year, depending on how harsh the weather conditions it is exposed to are) to ensure that it can withstand water exposure without warping or rotting. Further, wood can also become damaged if exposed to certain pests, including termites and carpenter ants which can eat away at the wood fencing posts and panels themselves.
Aluminum Fencing
Aluminum fencing, on the other hand, offers a more durable fencing solution than wood does. Not only is aluminum extremely durable and able to withstand physical pressure without cracking, it is completely immune to rust and pest infestations, allowing it to better withstand weather conditions than wood. Further, aluminum fencing is extremely lightweight, which means that it can be easily and quickly installed, reducing the amount of yard disturbance that the installation process will create.
However, aluminum usually only comes in single colors, most commonly black, which can limit the design options that aluminum fences can provide your home. Furthermore, aluminum itself is more expensive as a material than wood fencing is, which can negate the reduced labor costs associated with faster installation. Finally, it's important to note that aluminum fencing usually only comes in thin posts, limiting its effectiveness as a security or privacy fence when compared to wood.
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