Aluminum vs. Wood fence cost
We thought we’d take this opportunity to write a blog post comparing aluminum fencing to wood fencing. Both are excellent options, and both have advantages and disadvantages. We will take you through 3 categories for both types of fence products. Those categories will be cost and maintenance as well as installation requirements.
At the end of the article, you can discern which product you would prefer based on our provided data. Please don’t hesitate to comment or reach out if you have any questions or feedback regarding this post. We may also use constructive feedback as inspiration for future posts.
Let’s get started,
Cost and Maintenance:
There are a couple of variables we need to consider here no matter what material you are considering: labor cost to install a fence and the overall length. This comparison will be done on privacy fence panels. You’ll also need to account for things like latches and gates.
For example, we will compare the cost of a 100 linear ft of cedar fence to 100 linear ft of SLEEKFENCE aluminum fence. We will discuss both the initial and long-term costs of both.
Wood:
A wood fence will usually cost less upfront than an aluminum fence; they require much more maintenance moving forward and will eventually need to be replaced. Wood fences are subject to warping, damage, mold, mildew, and termites. You’ll need to inspect your wood fence annually to ensure that rotten boards are replaced, loose nails are hammered in, and screws are tightened. You’ll also need to be on the lookout for leaning and wobbly posts. A cedar fence typically needs to be cleaned once every 3-5 years to remove any moss, mold, mildew, dirt, peeling paint, and graying. The fence will also need to be resealed or painted after it has been cleaned.
We consulted with an estimator at Premium Fence about the cost of a high-quality Cedar fence. We wanted his feedback on supply and installation. Initially, the cost of installing a 6 ft high cedar privacy fence would be about $7200 – $8000; again that would be both supplied and installed.
We already concluded that we would need to stain and reseal the fence every 3-5 years. He said that would cost $2000 every 3 – 5 years. If we were to stain and reseal the cedar fence every 3 years at $2000 per job, then that could cost us $16,600.00 over 25 years which is the typical lifespan of a cedar fence. If you stained and resealed your cedar fence every 5 years at $2000 per job, that number would be $10,000 over 25 years. The total cost of 100ft of cedar fence at the end of 25 years could be $17,200 – $24,600 and the fence will need to be replaced.
Initial Cost: $7200 – $8000
Long Term Cost: $10,000 – $16,600
Total Cost: $17,200 – $24,600
Cost of SLEEKFENCE aluminum:
An aluminum fence would cost more upfront. We consulted with our estimator at Premium Fence Company again, and 100 ft of 6 ft privacy fence would cost $13,800 – 14,500, which is supplied and installed by Premium Fence Company. An aluminum fence requires little to no maintenance; you are only required to clean it at your discretion. We recommend you use car wash soap to clean your SLEEKFENCE, and that will run you about $50-$100 a year. You’ll most likely only need to clean your SLEEKFENCE twice a year. The only other materials you’ll need to clean your SLEEKFENCE is a microfiber rag and a hose.
The soap would cost you a maximum of $1250 – $2500 over the course of 25 years. This leaves us with a straightforward breakdown if we are considering both initial and long-term costs.
Initial Cost: $13,800 – $14,500
Long Term Cost: $1250 – $2500
Total Cost: $15,050 – $17,000.
We would also like to add that you wouldn’t need to replace your aluminum fence after 25 years. An aluminum fence will last you a lifetime.
Installation requirements for Wood Fencing:
Upon consulting with our trusted estimator from Premium Fence Company, we have determined that wood fencing takes much longer to install, especially if your fence contractor assembles the fence from scratch. Even though we gave you a number for supply and installation at Premium Fence Company above, that doesn’t mean all contractors are going to honor those rates. Remember, installation and labor is a variable. Wood fences do typically take more time to install. Typically a wood fence installation requires more tools, including air nailers, staplers, table saws, and more.
Installation requirements for Aluminum Fencing:
SLEEKFENCE Aluminum fence panels come premade; this will make installation much faster on average. Yes, there are still cases where boards need to be manipulated and/or resized to meet the requirements of a project, but most of the time, the process is seamless. Each piece is designed to work as part of the whole system. This makes an installer’s job much easier and faster. The tools for aluminum fence installation are standard hand and power tools every tradesperson carries. Consider a modular fence design similar to LEGO.
Conclusion:
We hope you found this post comparing the cost, maintenance, and installation requirements for wood fencing and aluminum fencing to help make an informed decision. We are open to any questions, comments, or concerns that you may have. We welcome it here at SLEEKFENCE.
Feel free to email us at support@sleekfence.ca. Feel free to call or email us with any questions that you may have about our aluminum fence panels, and a member of our support team will be happy to assist you. We pride ourselves on having the best customer service in the industry. We care about our clients and are genuinely grateful for their business. Most of our customer service team has installed fencing before, so they can coach you through the process if you’ve chosen to do it yourself. They are also more than happy to help you find a contractor in your area if you’re looking to have it installed for you.
