How Do I Design an Aluminum Yard Fence?
Aluminum fencing is the material of choice for a lot of people, and for good reason: it’s light weight and durability provide a fence you can rely on for years to come. Unlike other materials, such as wood and wrought iron, aluminum won’t weaken, become brittle or rust even if it’s exposed to extremely low or high temperatures. Its innate toughness makes it an ideal choice for fencing that is relatively low maintenance after installation, saving homeowners and businesses time and money on repairs and upkeep.
Before you buy your aluminum fencing, you’ll need to decide what style and design you want to use. From functional to ornate, and from large to small enclosures, you have a wide variety of placement and aesthetic choices available. Take a look at the following design schemes to help you narrow down your search and find the fencing that best suits your needs.
Spear Point
Spear points on your fencing are great for a sharp, clean look. They make your fencing stand out from plain, straight rails and can be customized on the Great Fence website for a simple “look” or you may add decorative options like circles, finials and scrolls for higher end homes.. Many manufacturers make a standard “triangle” point spear, while others, like Great Fence, offer a beautiful designer spear point.
Finials
Finials come in a variety of styles, including the much popular quad and the fleur-de-lis. You can use finials throughout your fencing, and they’re often favored on gates or front pieces. These fence pieces may be glossy or satin and include bronze, black, white, gold, sandstone, khaki and even some deep hues, such as hunter green.
When debating finial type and shade, you’ll need to consider your fence size, style and how each type will fit into your overall fence scheme. If you’re having trouble deciding, get a photo of each style and color you’re considering for reference before you buy. Use the photos against the fence type and shade you want, and also place them in the view line of the final fence location. If you’re attaching a fence to stone pillars in front of your house, for instance, hold the finial photos up against the pillars and in the approximate location they’ll be in if installed. This will give you an idea of how well each finial color and design type fits into the overall look of the installation location.
Rings / Circles
Ornamental rings (also known as circles) add a bit of flair to fencing that is not being stacked. The rings come in different sizes, with the most common spacing between pickets and rails being 3.75 inches. You can use ornamental rings in many fence types, including curved fencing, gate sections and straight fencing. If you’re going with rings, be aware that most manufacturers just add the rings in by screwing, while others set the rings in prior to painting for a better and more secure fit. Look for rings that are attached prior to painting for the most durable fencing option.
Arches
Gate arches add style and elegance to fencing and are often used on gates for that classic look. The design adds height toward the gate’s center for a secure, eye-catching presentation. With arches you’ll find simple, curved styles and more ornate options, such as the popular sunburst. Arches are not necessary for functional fencing but do add some pizazz and natural height to your gates, so consider this upgrade if your budget allows.
Large and Small Scrolls
Small butterfly scrolls can be added to vertical pickets on gates or fence panels for a decorative, clean feel. Like finials, you’ll find small scrolls in a multitude of finishes and colors for your fencing, like matte, glossy, gold, bronze and white. If you’re thinking of using small scrolls, note that they’re usually used in a repeating pattern throughout the gate near the top for the optimal look. A small scroll addition is a great way to spruce up a smaller fence.
Larger scrolls are more ornate in appearance and usually found on fence gates and panels like small scrolls, but with less frequency and in the midsection. For instance, you may see a large scroll in the center of each fence panel’s midsection. Consider large scrolls for fences that need that curbside appeal, or for areas of your fence that the public will see the most often.
Make sure you measure the fence space repeatedly before you buy any fencing pieces to ensure that you have what you need to enclose your fence area in its entirety. Lay out a tape measure to get an idea of where your fence will be installed; doing so will help prevent any future setbacks. Furthermore, by going over the layout beforehand, you can plan for your fence pieces and design additions accordingly.