Smelter Aluminum Scrap Price Steady at 17 Cents a Pound

[caption id="attachment_845" align="alignright" width="145"] Smelter Aluminum[/caption]

As you may know, metal is a limited resource here on earth and much of the metal produced today comes from recycled sources. There is a website called Scrap Monster which lists the different types of scrap metal and it's US market value.

Mixed Irony Aluminum "shall consist of assorted scrap aluminum contaminated with Iron, the aluminum content must be a minimum 70% and iron may not exceed 30% Must be free of excessive plastics, oils and other materials prohibitive in the sweat furnace operation."

Just a thought that your new aluminum fence may at one point in time have been the hubcap on your 1982 Oldsmobile - or were those made of plastic?

Vinyl PVC Fence vs Aluminum Fence Compared and Expained

[caption id="attachment_765" align="alignright" width="400"] < - Vinyl Fence on Left - Aluminum Fence on Right - >[/caption]

Came across a great article on the Hurricane Shutters blog today comparing vinyl to aluminum fences.

Fence professional Terry Lewis compares the two mediums - Vinyl PVC Fence and Aluminum Fence - by three categories; privacy, security and fence configuration (and flexibility of design).

As Lewis compares the two different fence types, he correctly sites that where security is the priority, aluminum fences are more advantageous, whereas vinyl fence offers a better option where privacy is the primary concern.

Security

Vinyl fence's primary security limitation is that the material does not have the strength to hold large, heavy gates. Vinyl Gates are only manufactured in sizes between 3’ wide single panel swing gates and 12’ or 16’ wide double panel swing gates.  Large gates are usually constructed with posts and frames made of pipe, with vinyl fence panels attached. Vinyl products are rarely used in automated gate systems.

Ornamental aluminum fence does not match iron or steel in strength, but does have the structural integrity to sustain gate sizes which vary from 3’ wide walk gates to 30’ wide slide gates.  Aluminum gates install and work with ease.  Self-closing hinges, pool latches, magnetic latches, gate operators and access controls for lager gates work well with the aluminum fence. These gates are easily used for automated access control systems.

Privacy

The designs of vinyl fence are typically based on wooden fences, which limit visibility as well as light and sound passage across the fence.

The aluminum fences are based on iron fence designs, which do not traditionally limit visibility, and while privacy slats and screens are available for ornamental aluminum fence, they detract from the traditional wrought iron look.

Maintenance

Both vinyl and ornamental aluminum fence are very low maintenance.  A simple occasional wash with soap and water is all it takes to keep the fence as beautiful as the day it was installed.

Color & Design

Vinyl fence is available to match almost and traditional wood fence design and while white and off-white are the most common colors, manufacturers are offering more options as well as various textures (most commonly wood-grain).

Aluminum and ornamental aluminum fence can be found in hundreds of traditional and modern designs with various types of finials at the top. The standard powder coating colors of green, brown, white and black give years of attractive protection. Additional color variations are being increased, and some suppliers produce custom colors.

Price

In cost of materials and installation, aluminum and vinyl pvc fence are comparable at $26 to $40 per linear foot.

As always please contact us with any questions as we carry both premium vinyl fencing and aluminum fence, and there is always a fence installation specialist with at least twenty years experience available when the office is open. Your questions or comments are also welcome below.

Aluminum Fence compared with Steel and Iron

Maintenance Free

[caption id="attachment_740" align="alignright" width="300"] Specrail Brand Aluminum Fence[/caption]

Unlike other types of fences, a properly constructed and coated aluminum fence is virtually maintenance free!

Aluminum does not rust like iron, which is classified as a ferric metal which will oxidize and rust. Aluminum is non-ferric and will not rust.

Many people do not realize that aluminum is a chemical element, which it is estimated will take over 10,000 years to disintegrate. It is also the third most abundant element, next to oxygen and silicon.

Aside from keeping shrubs and trees trimmed back from the fence and cleaning it with soap and water, or just a powerful garden hose sprayer, the only concern is the potential of bending the aluminum with heavy lawn or garden equipment, in which case replacing the damaged fence parts is not a large project.

Security

Aluminum, steel and iron fences are typically more secure than wood or chain link because wood fences can easily be scaled and chain link fences can easily be cut, while aluminum, steel and iron fencing with spear-topped pickets make for a harder fence to breach.

While less impenetrable than steel or iron panels, the aluminum fence easy to install, attractive, resistant to corrosion, and effective at preventing unwanted guests or pests from entering an area, and in keeping children and pets within a designated area.

Practicality

Aluminum fence panels are very lightweight, especially in comparison to steel, iron or wood.

Since aluminum fence panels are often used to fence in an in-ground pool, the panels almost always meet pool regulations. In many places, this means that the panels will be eight feet tall (2.43 meters) or higher. The panels can be affixed to posts composed of aluminum or other materials such as wood, steel or iron.

Design

Aluminum fence panels come in an array of designs that often mimic the common designs of other fencing material such as iron and steel, and typical designs feature two or three horizontal beams interlaced with several vertical posts.

Most aluminum fence panels are of a simple design, though a wide variety of elaborate designs are also available. The color of the panels is typically black, though other colors are usually available, with white being the second most common color for aluminum fence panels.

Installation

Aluminum fence panels, due to their light weight, are much easier to move, ship and handle than their wood, steel or iron counterparts. They are also typically rackable.

Fencing a sloped yard can be a challenging fence project, but a rackable fence panel is a panel that can adjust to follow the slope of the landscape. Whereas standard fence panels have a profile that is rectangular, with rails that run perpendicular to the pickets and posts, a rackable panel is designed with flexible connections that will angle up to 30 degrees (residential grade).

Privacy

While Vinyl PVC Fencing is geared more toward privacy than aluminum, privacy screens and slats are manufactured for aluminum fence and aluminum privacy fence is also manufactured. At about the same price as vinyl pvc (but more secure) or steel (lower-maintenance) fence, aluminum fence is for many, the path of least resistance.

Please browse the Academy Fence selection of Aluminum Fence and feel free to contact a specialist at Academy Fence with at least twenty years experience in aluminum fence installation and supplies with any questions, and as always your comments are welcome.