Providing security and privacy for any facility is one of the essential responsibilities of building contractors. A metal fencing system is one of the traditional yet practical methods of creating a secure exterior area for a home or building. So, most homeowners want to install decorative metal fencing in their house exteriors. However, due to the aesthetic requirements of any property’s design, designers and manufacturers make a decorative metal fence for providing both privacy and appearance. The decorative metal fence comes in various styles, colors, and substances depending on the facility’s overall design.
A decorative metal fence is made from substances with perfect physical properties, including aluminum, steel, wrought iron, and CORTEN steel. These building materials feature kits that include fence panels, posts, fasteners, and other essential hardware required for installing them. As these privacy fences should have doors, the kits do not include the primary gate because there are limitless options available for the gates, and most are adaptable. Thus, installing decorative metal fencing is a considerably straightforward process even for those who do not have enough experience in this field.
Choosing and Buying the Best Decorative Metal Fencing
Before you install decorative metal fencing, you need to choose and buy the best material and system for your house. For choosing and buying the decorative metal fence for the house, it is better to do some comparison shopping due to the variety of types existing in the market. Each system has its unique characteristics as well as pros and cons in terms of appearance, price, and stability. Moreover, it is recommended to consider the options that can fit into the whole exterior design of the building and feature lightweight characteristics like decorative aluminum fencing.
Most of the modern decorative metal fencings that look like iron are made from CORTEN steel, a practical substance in the industry. This material can be molded into modern shapes and involve robust characteristics. However, using aluminum decorative metal fence is easier to install due to its lightweight factor.
If you want to install decorative metal fencing without hiring a professional, it is better to choose materials that are lightweight. Another material that is perfect for metal fencing is the aluminum composite panel.
Install Decorative Metal Fencing that is Made From One of The Materials Below:
- Aluminum Composite Panel
- CORTEN Steel
- Galvanized Steel
- Standard Steel
- Wrought Iron
- Bronze
- Copper
Each of these materials offers unique advantages. However, they do also have disadvantages. If you want to install decorative metal fencing that has classic elegance, it is better to choose a wrought iron ornamental metal fence.
Aluminum composite fencings are perfect for modern garden designs. These materials are durable, beautiful, lightweight, and efficient. You can create any design you can imagine with aluminum composite panels as decorative fences.
CORTEN steel is also a suitable material for privacy screens and garden fencing. This extraordinary material is the best for homeowners who want to install decorative metal fencing that looks unique and can last long without requiring any maintenance.
Galvanized steel and standard steel are almost the same in characteristics. However, we recommend using standard steel for ornamental metal fences since it looks more elegant and natural. Steel metal fences can also last long. But, they are considerably heavy, and installing steel fencing can be more challenging than aluminum composite.
Although we do not recommend you to install decorative metal fencing that is made from bronze or copper, these two metal materials can also create aesthetics for your garden. However, a few designers and architects use them for exterior decorative applications.
What does a Metal Fence Kit Include?
Generally, a standard metal fence kit includes posts and panels for enclosing an area of a specific dimension. Thus, it is crucial to measure the size of the site, which requires a decorative metal fence. However, customers can buy extra panels and posts if needed, but it is more efficient to have everything on hand before starting the installation process. Some of the current kits contain only rails and posts, allowing installers to create a hybrid system with other substances. If the space requiring fencing is not a simple rectangular shape, the customers should order the posts with custom dimensions. The end posts go against the structure, and the corner ones are utilized to change the decorative metal fence direction, and the line posts go between them. The kits also include all the attachment solutions the installer will need to assemble the fencing, including scre3s, bolts, and nuts.
Things to Know Before Starting the Installing Process
There are few things to consider before the installing process starts. The first crucial thing is to keep the decorative metal fence on the side of the property line, and for safety, the metal fence should be a few centimeters on the customer’s side. Furthermore, it is essential to check the building codes and make sure the buried utility lines on the property are mapped before starting the digging. Then, consulting with a building material and metal supplier can help customers plan the suitable installation process for their project. Additionally, checking with the homeowner’s association and local building department can be very helpful for avoiding further issues. The last important thing is to poses all the tools and equipment that are required for installing decorative metal fences, which are as followed:
- Stakes
- Drill
- Spray Paint
- String
- Gravel
- Concrete Mix
- Tape Measure
- Auger or Post Hole Digger
- Wheelbarrow
- Shovel
- Level
- Screw Bit
- Hacksaw
- Metal-Boring Drill Bit
Planning and Prepping to Install Decorative Metal Fencing
Perhaps you are sure that you want to install decorative metal fencing for your home; it is essential to know that, like any other construction project, planning and prepping are required.
Anytime you plan to install decorative metal fencing in your garden or your front door area, you need to check your local building codes and regulations. As soon as you decide to start the project, contact local jurisdictions to check mandatory setbacks, style limitations, proper fencing height, and required permits.
Always locate all the underground utilities in your home’s area before starting the process. The utilities that you need to check are:
- Water lines
- Gas lines
- Phone line
- Electrical lines
- Other Cables
If you don’t know how to check the utilities, you will have to contact the underground utility locating service, and they will come to your house and locate the cables of your home.
Another essential thing is to mark all the legal boundaries and consider any fence footing that should not extend beyond your home’s area. So, we recommend to install decorative metal fencing a few centimeters inside your property line.
Then it would be best if you lay out your metal fence plan with string and stakes. During this stage of prepping for metal fencing installation, you need to sketch the site plan on paper, including all measurements and fence lines. It is also better to note all corner, gate, and post locations.
The Installation Steps of Decorative Metal Fencing
Installing a decorative metal fence is not a daunting task, and it only requires following a few steps. The installation steps are all elementary and straightforward, and anyone can complete them with a high-quality result.
Marking the Positions of the Posts
This step involves mapping out the product’s perimeter and marking the corners and ends with spray paint. In this stage, it is essential to leave space between marked positions of the gate posts for allowing the gate to swing freely.
Digging the Post Holes
The installer should use a post hole digger or an auger to dig the holes, and they should be deep enough to accommodate a third of the length of each kit’s post.
Setting the Corner, End, and Gate Posts
The third step of installing a decorative metal fence involves setting new stakes in the corners that should be behind the holes and in the metal fence line. The installer should draw tight strings between the stakes. Each corner requires two stakes, and by using ropes, it is possible to align the faces of the posts.
Installing the Fence Panels
To avoid miscalculation, it is crucial to set the line posts and install the fence panels simultaneously. This step is about connecting the fence panels to a corner and end posts by utilizing fasteners.
Cutting the Panels
The installer can use a hacksaw to cut aluminum fence panels into the required length.
Installing the Gate
The last step of installing a decorative metal fence involves assembling the gate and screwing hinges to the posts while driving the screws into the predrilled holes.
Best Place to Install Decorative Metal Fencing
You can install decorative metal fencing in various portions of your home. Some homeowners prefer to use these metal fences in their gardens and front doors, while others use decorative panels to create unique cladding systems.
Install Decorative Metal Fencing In You Garden
Gardens are the perfect areas for installing decorative metal fences. You will add a unique touch to your garden with ornamental fences while offering privacy. Additionally, these fencings are perfect for creating sunshades and relaxation areas during warm seasons.
One of the best places for installing decorative metal fence panels is around your home’s swimming pool. You will create a sense of security and boundary for your swimming pool while keeping children safe from falling into the water.
You can also install decorative metal fencing around water tanks if you have one in your garden. With metal fences, you will conceal the tanks and make the outdoor area look stunning as it should be.
Improve Your Home’s Cladding System With Decorative Metal Fences
Since decorative metal fence panels offer a unique style and design, some architects use them in the cladding system. For example, you can install decorative metal fencing in front of your windows to provide privacy for the interiors and beauty for the exteriors.