Aluminum fence installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What aluminum fence installation is

Aluminum fence installation sets posts and fastens powder-coated aluminum panels in a decorative style, stepping them along slopes and adding gates. Aluminum does not rust the way steel does, so the fence suits pools, front yards and any place where a rust-free, see-through fence is wanted.

Signs you need it

  • You want an ornamental fence for a front yard or a driveway that does not block the view of the house
  • A pool needs a fence that is rust-free and that meets the barrier rules for a pool enclosure
  • A steel fence has rusted at the joints and the coating is flaking, and you want a material that will not rust
  • A yard slopes and needs a fence that steps down with the grade and keeps its shape
  • A commercial frontage or a community property needs a clean, durable fence with a finished look
  • You want a fence with a classic look that needs little upkeep and no painting

What the pro does

  • Confirm the property line and mark the post locations, the corners, the gates and any slope breaks
  • Check for buried utilities and drains along the route, and mark any pool equipment or lines near the work
  • Set the posts in concrete at the depth needed for the height, checking that each post is plumb and in line
  • Attach the rails to the posts with the aluminum brackets and fasteners the system requires
  • Fasten the powder-coated panels or pickets into the rails, stepping them along the slope so the top line stays level
  • Hang the gates with the self-closing and self-latching hardware the site needs, then check the alignment and the latch

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Total length, height and style, including the ornamental detail on the panels or pickets
  • Number of corners, slope changes and steps needed to follow the grade
  • Gate count and size, and whether gates need self-closing or self-latching hardware for a pool or child-safety use
  • Post size and depth for the height and the wind exposure of the site
  • Ground conditions such as rock or clay that slow post setting
  • Removal of an existing fence and disposal of the old materials before the new line is set

What a written quote should spell out

  • Fence length, height, style, color and the aluminum product line named
  • Post size, depth and the concrete used for setting
  • Rail count, bracket type and the fasteners named in the proposal
  • Gate sizes, hinges, self-closing and self-latching hardware, if included
  • How the slope is handled, with stepped or racked panel details
  • Warranty on the powder coat and the workmanship, and what the warranty excludes

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will you use self-closing and self-latching hardware on the gate, and does the fence meet the pool rules where I live?
  • How will you step the panels on my slope so the top stays level?
  • What finish is on the aluminum, and what is its warranty against fading and chalking?
  • How deep do the posts go, and are they set in concrete?
  • How will the gate be aligned so it closes and latches without help?
  • Who checks the line and the buried lines before the posts are set?

Red flags

  • Installs a pool fence without checking the local barrier rules for height and gate hardware
  • Steps the panels by cutting the rails without any bracket or plan for the slope
  • Sets posts too shallow for the height, so the fence wobbles in the first wind
  • Uses steel hardware in an aluminum system where galvanic corrosion could follow
  • Says the powder coat will never need any care or touch-up

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can install a short, level, decorative aluminum fence with a kit after confirming the boundary and calling for the utility locate. Call a pro for pool enclosures, sloped runs, tall fences, gates with self-closing hardware and any fence that must meet a set of barrier rules. Aluminum panels have sharp edges and can scratch the finish, so wear gloves and be careful when cutting and handling the sections.

Licenses and permits

Whether aluminum fence work needs a contractor license varies by place and by job size, and pool barriers, tall fences and fences near a public way often need a permit in many areas. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department before work starts, especially for a pool enclosure.

Aluminum fence installation questions

Will an aluminum fence rust?

Aluminum does not rust the way steel does, but its powder coat can chip or fade over time. Ask the pro what coat is applied and how to touch up any chips quickly.

Can an aluminum fence be used as a pool barrier?

It can, when the height, the spacing and the gate hardware meet the local barrier rules. Ask the pro to confirm the local rules and to set the gate with self-closing and self-latching hardware.

How do I keep the aluminum fence looking new?

Wash it with mild soap and water a few times a year, and rinse off salt or sprinkler residue. Ask the pro whether any cleaner is not recommended for your finish.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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