There are numerous benefits associated with adding an ornamental or decorative fence outside the front or back of your home or around a pool. You can increase the value of your home and add curb appeal. Traditionally, iron has been used for ornamental fencing. However, aluminum is gaining in popularity and is often used for ornamental fencing as well. Learning the benefits that aluminum fencing has over iron fencing can help you determine if aluminum is a good fit for your fencing needs. 

The Cost

One of the biggest benefits that ornamental aluminum fencing has over ornamental iron fencing is the cost. Aluminum is significantly cheaper than iron. This helps to make the cost of an aluminum fence more affordable than the cost of an iron fence. In addition to the costs of the material itself, aluminum fencing is lightweight and tends to be easier to install because of its lighter weight. This also helps to keep installation costs lower when compared to much heavier iron fencing. 

The Amount of Required Maintenance

The second benefit that ornamental aluminum fencing has over ornamental iron fencing is the amount of required maintenance. Ferrous metals, such as steel and iron, have a higher carbon content than non-ferrous metals, such as aluminum, zinc, and lead. This is important because this carbon content makes ferrous metals more prone to rusting and corroding. Metals that rust and corrode need to be cleaned and coated frequently to help protect the metal and extend the lifespan of the metal. Non-ferrous metals are not prone to rust, and therefore need far less maintenance than ferrous metals. 

The Flexibility of Aluminum

The final benefit that ornamental aluminum fencing has over ornamental iron fencing is the flexibility of aluminum. Aluminum is more flexible or malleable than iron. This is important if you are looking to create more intricate details on the ornamental fencing. It also makes aluminum a better choice if you need to create a curved fence around a pool or around your yard. Also, because aluminum is more flexible, it lessens the time it takes a professional to create the shape of the face, which ultimately helps keep costs lower. 

Ornamental aluminum fencing is becoming more and more popular with homeowners and is outpacing ornamental iron fences. This is because aluminum fencing is cheaper, requires less maintenance, and has more flexibility than iron. If you are in the market for a new metal ornamental fence, contact a company like Ornamental Design Ironworks Inc to learn more about ornamental aluminum fencing and if it is right for you.