Chicago Aluminum Fences

While the most popular type of residential fencing in the Chicago area is wood, there's good reason to consider the alternatives when looking to install a new fence on your property. Despite its widespread visual appeal, when you are looking at materials on performance alone, a Chicago aluminum fence is an easy favorite. With weather and temperature conditions that can have a detrimental effect on both traditional wood and on the increasingly popular vinyl, Chi-town residents that want something that will last, and look good doing it, should definitely take a peek at what today's aluminum fencing has to offer.

Chicago Aluminum Fences vs. Vinyl and Wooden Fencing
No matter how pretty it is, there is really no comparison between the performance of wood and aluminum fencing in Chicago. Aluminum fences are strong, durable, and low-maintenance. They don't provide food or lodging for insects, and they won't rot or peel in moist weather. Where wood might be the belle of the ball when it comes to appearances, a Chicago aluminum fence is sure to last much longer and require less work in the long run than its wooden counterpart. Its strength far outshines that of wood, and is a particularly good choice for pool fencing.

Vinyl fences are attractive to homeowners for a few different reasons. They look nice, they last a very long time, and many of the physical problems associated with the wood fences they are designed to compete with are simply not present in vinyl. Vinyl has two major drawbacks, however, that are not found in an aluminum fence. Chicago's long and cold winter months can cause vinyl to become brittle and more prone to damage. Additionally, vinyl isn't meant to be painted, but it can fade over time, making it a less than perfect choice in certain scenarios. Both of these problems become amplified in lower quality vinyl products, which means that if Chicago homeowners want the kind of performance vinyl is known for, they'll have to spend more money.

Chicago aluminum fencing is an excellent choice in many ways when compared to wood or vinyl, but most would say that its one major flaw lies in appearance. There is far less variety available with aluminum as a fencing material, especially when compared to wood, where the number of styles on the market is nearly endless. If your major reason for installing a new fence is aesthetic, aluminum might not be for you. Additionally, lower grade aluminum is only about half as strong as the high-end fare; the best aluminum fences, however, are relatively indestructible when compared to other common fencing materials.

Prices of Chicago Aluminum Fences
In general, aluminum is more expensive than wood, but less expensive than vinyl or other metals like steel or wrought iron. Nationally, our figures here at ServiceMagic have vinyl fences costing about $4,000, aluminum around $3,500, and wood coming in at just less than $3,000. Something like wrought iron can easily run between $5,000 and $10,000, while chain link fences cost about $2,250. As for our figures specific to Chicago, aluminum fence installations are often lower than the national average (usually due to the fact that property sizes are smaller in and around the densely populated Chicago area). Remember, as with any home improvement project, the most effective path to getting the most for your money begins with talking to multiple contractors and asking for several estimates.