From vinyl and metal to classic wood and even chain-link, there are so many different fencing styles to choose from these days. On top of that, each style comes with its own advantages and disadvantages too.
There are a lot of criteria to consider when selecting a fencing style that’s right for your home or business – cost, appearance, installation, etc. But for many, the single most important criterion to consider is durability.
That’s why this article is going to pit three of the most durable fencing types against each other to see which comes out on top—wrought iron, aluminum, and steel.
In the battle of wrought iron vs. aluminum fences and steel fences, who will win?
Table of Contents
⦁ Which Has the Best Performance & Value?
⦁ Frequently Asked Questions
⦁ Which Fence Is Right for You?
⦁ Find Your Fence at Maintenance-Free Outdoor Solutions
The more durable a fence, the longer it will last and the better it will protect your property. That’s why so many people are attracted to fences made from one of the strongest substances on earth—metal.
Metal can withstand some of the most punishing weather conditions and general wear and tear that fence owners can expect to face.
But there are a few different types to choose from. So, if you’re weighing the pros and cons of each, explore wrought iron vs. aluminum and steel, and get the most out of your fencing upgrade.
Wrought iron fences have two major advantages. First, they are very durable and can easily stand up to the strongest storms and the heaviest debris. Second, they are stylish and come in a number of classic ornamental looks.
The drawbacks of iron fences are that they are often difficult to install, and the materials are very expensive.
Also, being iron, it will eventually begin to rust. This means owners will need to regularly scrape the fence with a wire brush and repaint it to keep up its appearance and durability. Otherwise, your expensive investment will be rusty and unsightly before you know it.
Aluminum fencing is an appealing option because it is affordable, stylish, relatively easy to install, and very versatile.
Plus, aluminum is a tough material that maintains its brand-new look for longer and requires little to no maintenance on your part. When you partner with an experienced aluminum fence installer, you can expect a painless installation procedure along the way too.
The only real drawback is that this is not a suitable material for a privacy fence, but that is the case with nearly all metal fences.
Residential Aluminum fencing is available in six distinctive styles and seven colors — Black, White, Quaker Bronze, Walnut Brown, Beige, Sandstone, and Hartford Green — residential aluminum fences are highly customizable, with an array of accessories to choose from.
We proudly offer Elite Fence Products aluminum fencing.
Ornamental steel fencing is one of the strongest fencing materials available, and once the fence is up, you can expect it to provide a secure barrier around your home for years to come.
The cost can be higher upfront, but since you will invest so little in maintenance, the lifetime cost is quite reasonable. Plus, steel fencing can easily be adapted to sloped or uneven land, which is not the case with all fencing materials.
The only real disadvantage of steel fences is that they are available in a relatively limited range of styles. That being said, the best fence installation companies will typically still be able to offer a wide range of ornamental styles and varieties to choose from.
Ornamental Steel Fencing is available for:
We proudly offer Ameristar fencing for ornamental steel fencing.
Below are just a few of the most frequently asked questions people typically have when weighing iron wrought vs. aluminum fences and steel fences.
These two types of fencing are made from different materials (obviously) and are also constructed differently.
Wrought iron fencing, for example, is made from solid wrought iron. It’s tough and durable yet prone to rusting and requires maintenance. Although it’s often very ornate in appearance, it’s also heavy and can be harder to install.
Aluminum fencing, on the other hand, is usually made from recycled aluminum. It’s lighter, resistant to corrosion, and many times much easier to install. Aluminum fencing is also highly customizable and comes in a wide variety of colors and styles.
When deciding on your materials, one of the first concerns you’ll likely have is wrought iron vs. aluminum fence cost.
Due to the price of materials and the relative difficulty of installation, wrought iron fences are usually more expensive than aluminum fences—but not by much.
According to a study from Home Advisor, aluminum fence installation costs tend to be around $20 to $30 per foot, while wrought iron fences usually cost around $24 to $34 per linear foot.
That being said, the time and money that goes into wrought iron fence maintenance are far greater than aluminum fencing. Owners of wrought iron fences need to scrub away any hints of rusting and continually repaint their fences so that corrosion doesn’t spread.
So, when it comes to wrought iron fence vs. aluminum cost, upfront expenditures are about the same. But in the long run, aluminum fencing ends up being much cheaper.
Many common objects are made from aluminum—cans, sinks, nails, ladders, golf clubs, staples.
Since most of the material in your aluminum fence is made up of this abundant metal, you may be thinking, why is it so expensive in the first place? After all, isn’t most of it recycled aluminum anyway?
As it turns out, aluminum is actually one of the more expensive metals when mined directly from the ground. It’s more expensive than iron and even steel.
But its versatility and durability make it a prime element for a wide range of applications, including fencing. In fact, it’s part of the reason why aluminum is so widely recycled in the first place—it’s just so useful.
So, when it comes to wrought iron vs. aluminum fences and steel fences, which option is right for you?
Wrought iron fences offer great style varieties and are especially durable. But the particularly high costs of installation mean they require a significant investment. On top of that, this metal fence type requires a lot of maintenance to reduce rusting and chipping.
That’s why most people are enjoying all the advantages, eliminating all the disadvantages, and paying less overall for their fencing by going with an aluminum or steel fence instead.
These fence types come in a wide variety of styles, are typically much simpler to install, and will last for decades to come. Best of all? They require little to no maintenance over the course of their lifetimes.
Learn more about the exciting benefits of maintenance-free materials like aluminum and steel by downloading our free ebook!
The only trick is you have to find the right fence installation company to partner with.
And that’s where Maintenance-Free Outdoor Solutions comes in.
With hundreds of varieties, styles, and options to choose from, Maintenance-Free Outdoor Solutions is the trusted fence company serving St. Louis and surrounding cities.
We proudly carry the best fencing brands in the industry including:
Plus, expert installation crews and exceptional customer service mean working with Maintenance-Free is always a great experience. We’re also the only fence company that offers the Maintenance-Free Advantage. Read more on that here.
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