Fences are an absolutely essential part of any garden. The Australian summers are hot (and only getting hotter) and it's likely that you spend a lot of time outdoors in your garden during the summer months with your loved ones. With a secure fence, you can ensure that your kids are safe to play in the garden without escaping and getting into danger, and you can also maintain your privacy for lounging around the garden in a swimsuit.
But with so many fencing materials in the marketplace, it can be difficult to know which to choose. Wooden fences are the traditional option, but aluminium fences are gaining in popularity. Here's why you should seriously consider aluminium for your garden fences.
Eco-friendly. The greatest threat to the planet in the 21st century is climate change, and eco-conscious homeowners will want to do everything that can to ensure their home and garden has a minimal impact upon the planet. For this reason, aluminium is a stellar choice. The material is 100% recyclable – just make sure that the fencing you purchase has been made from recyclable aluminium.
Insects aren't interested. Wooden fences might look beautiful but there is a high chance that a wooden fence can attract unwanted critters such as carpenter ants and termites. Termites are so destructive that they can chew right through wooden structures like fences and completely compromise their structural integrity – and why invest in a wooden fence if you just have to replace it a couple of years later? Fortunately, insects have zero interest in aluminium, making it a non-issue.
Weather-proof. With anything that you construct, you have to consider the material carefully because it will be exposed to all of the natural elements, like wind, rain, and sun. The last thing that you want is for a fence to bend and warp because of moisture or to rot because of rain seeping into the wood. Aluminium, however, is practically weather proof. And unlike other metals, aluminium doesn't rust at all.
Aesthetically versatile. So you know that aluminium is robust and a durable material for fencing, but what about the way it looks? Many people are simply attracted to the aesthetic of a white picket fence, and who can blame them? The great news is that aluminium fencing doesn't have to look like ugly sheet metal. In fact, it can treated to look like wood or to be the white picket fence you've always dreamed about having.
Fencing in a rural setting has to fill a lot more functions than a fence around a residential home. It has to keep your livestock, one of your biggest annual assets, safe. It also has to keep out vermin and possibly be electrified. Thanks to the sheer abundance of fencing on many rural properties, fence installation, upkeep, repair and replacement can also be expensive. Luckily, if you want tips on what you need or how to make it more affordable, I am here to help. Hi, my name is Nicki, and I love living out in the country. I also love writing so decided to put my knowledge about fences to use in this space.