Chilly weather and snowy conditions can mean bad news for some fences. Choosing aluminum for your fencing material can eliminate winter worries
Weather can be quite finicky year-round. Even in places with four distinct and well-defined seasons, the weather can change on a dime, leaving you ill-prepared for a rain, snow or wind storm. There is just too much to think about already when it comes to your home and property when the weather takes a turn for the worse. There are possibilities of power outages, plumbing issues, water drainage woes, and items being blown around by intense wind. On top of all of that, you don’t want to have to worry about whether or not your fence is structurally sound for all weather.
This is why choosing the best, most reliable fencing material is the first step in taking away any weather-related worries for your fence. Aluminum fences are built to last with an amazingly tough metal that can be exactly what you need year-round.
Through the Seasons
Aluminum as a metal is pliable, strong, and less expensive than others. It can be made into heavy-duty, strong panels and posts for residential, commercial and industrial fencing. The best part of this type of fencing is the great powder coating on the outside of the fence. This coating ensures the metal is kept dry and stable, season after season.
Aluminum could begin oxidizing when introduced to damp weather without this useful powder coating. The coating keeps moisture out completely, with little maintenance needed. Aluminum also oxidizes in a different way compared to other metals. It doesn’t rust and degrade; it actually builds up stronger. With just an easy washing between seasons, the powder coating on aluminum fences stays strong and fresh for years to come.
Freezing Conditions
When the weather calls for below-zero temperatures, snow and ice are likely to occur in your yard. Depending on the location of your fence, this could mean even more snow being piled up from shoveling or plowing occurring on sidewalks and streets. Thankfully, aluminum is strong enough to handle this extra weight, though there are some considerations to make. If it’s going to be a long winter with extreme amounts of snow expected, try to not keep packing the snow against the fence week after week. After a while, this heavy weight could give problems to your landscaping around the fence.
Snow shovels can damage the protective powder coating on your fence if repeatedly banged against the fence’s surface. Be aware of how close you or any neighbors are getting to the fence when pushing snow around. Similarly, icy conditions usually mean salting is occurring to keep walkways and roads safe. Salt won’t pose a problem for your aluminum fencing right away, but if the salt is left for weeks and months without being rinsed or wiped off, it could eventually lead to problems for the protective coating.
Let your property’s landscape help you during colder months by keeping things tidy. Low-hanging branches can be a problem in windy and icy conditions, so it’s best to keep trees trimmed nicely. Similarly, piles of leaves that are left before the snow begins to fall can add unnecessary weight to the ground and cause unsightly problems once the snow melts. Any way you can make winter better is a great idea, especially when it comes to your outdoor spaces.
