So you’re looking into building a fence and/or gate for your home or business around Perth, or anywhere else for that matter. And wondering which material is the right choice. In this article, we’re going to explore the various aspects of aluminium slat fencing.
What does it look like? How much does it cost? Is it durable? By the end of this article, you will know the answer to these questions and more.
But before going into detail, here’s the executive summary:
Aluminium slat fencing is widely favoured for its affordability, durability and modern street appeal. Available in a range of colours, they enhance privacy and home security, protect your property from the elements and look great all while being easy to install and very low maintenance.
What exactly is aluminium slat fencing?
Aluminium slat fencing is a kind of fencing made up of parallel aluminium beams or “slats”. They typically form external fences around the perimeter of a home or business but can also be used as internal partitioning within the property’s outdoor space.
The slats can be in a horizontal or vertical orientation or some combination of the two.
The aluminium fencing slats can make up the entirety of the fence or gate structure, called a slatted fence panel or privacy screen, or you can have a slatted infill panel where the slats are integrated as infills for brick pier walls.
Why build an aluminium slat fence or gate?
There are a number of good reasons to build an aluminium fence and/or gate around your home or business property, which we’ll explore in the following sections.
Privacy and security
One reason people like having a fence around their property is for enhanced privacy, making it easier to relax and enjoy the outdoor space. Although aluminium slat fencing has gaps, the precise width of these gaps can be customised as desired – just ask your supplier or contractor.
Additionally, a solid slat fence delimiting your property will dissuade opportunistic burglars looking for an easy mark as it will be much more difficult to scope it out. Combined with a secure automatic gate system (which can also be built with aluminium slats), you can fortify your home in style!
Protection
Slat fencing also provides protection from heat and UV rays from the sun, which is why it’s so popular across Australia. Much like a patio roof, aluminium slat fencing helps keep your outdoor space a cool and comfortable environment.
An aluminium slat fence is a perfect complement to a patio, boosting its protection and creating a complete and seamless appearance for your existing patio or carport.
An external fence also provides some sound insulation, blocking traffic noise from nearby roads. This will reduce the ambient noise both inside and outside your building.
Visual appeal
Another reason to like aluminium slat fencing is that it’s a great way to subtly hide away unsightly utilities such as bins, gas bottles, air conditioning units, water tanks, and so on.
Finally, having an aluminium slat fence at the front of your home or business really takes its modern street appeal up a level. Not only will your place look so much more presentable, but it’ll also be better protected and have a significantly upgraded property value.
Is aluminium slat fencing expensive?
There is no universal formula for working out how much your fence build is going to cost, but hopefully, the example below will give you a vague idea.
Like most fencing, the cost is calculated per metre. For example, our aluminium slats are available in two widths: 65 mm and 100 mm, both 15 mm thick and 6500 mm. Their prices are summarised in the table below.
| Dimensions | Cost (incl. GST) |
| 65 Ă— 15 Ă— 6500 mm | $34 * |
| 100 Ă— 15 Ă— 6500 mm | $53 * |
These are competitive prices, but there may be some variation between suppliers. These prices are for our stock plain colours, but we also offer wood-look finishes at $53 for the 65 mm width and $67 for the 100 mm width.
Obviously, these are single slats, so you’d need to multiply these figures by the number of slats you’ll need.
Worked example
By way of example, a 6.5 metre long fence with 20 horizontal slats (stock plain colours), each 65 mm wide, would cost 20 times $34 which is $680. Scale that up to 6 sections or panels of 6.5 metre fencing and you’re looking at $4,080 of aluminium slats.
In terms of cost per unit area, assuming a 30 mm gap between slats, that’s equivalent to about $55 per square metre.
The precise cost of a slat fence will depend on many factors: dimensions, finish, installation costs, and so on – so don’t take these estimates too seriously.
And, of course, that’s just for the slats themselves. Don’t forget to factor in any other costs of your build including posts, channels, clips, caps and so on.
Pros and cons of aluminium slat fencing
Now let’s look at some of the reasons in favour and against choosing aluminium slats for your fence building project. Admittedly it is mostly positives from here, but that’s because there is a lot to like.
Installation
Aluminium slat fencing is easy to install as the materials are lightweight and require no welding. The result is a strong and durable exterior fence, highly resistant to the elements and any physical impacts.
You will be able to find a building professional who can provide you with a quote prior to installation. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, then this is a fantastic project for DIY home renovators and those of us in rural areas across WA.
Durability
Aluminium slat fences are built to last, so while it may be tempting to choose a cheaper building material such as timber, keep in mind that you will sooner or later have to replace it when it falls victim to sagging, warping, rotting or just general wear and tear.
An aluminium slat fence will remain standing for years to come and will always look just as good as the day you installed it. Unlike steel, aluminium is not vulnerable to corrosion (rusting) due to prolonged exposure to moisture.
Aluminium fence slats are designed to withstand harsh Australian weather conditions and are fire-proof as well.
Maintenance
Compared to other materials like wood, aluminium fencing is incredibly low maintenance, which is one of the main reasons it’s such a popular choice.
Cost
For a premium product, aluminium slat fencing is about the best value you can get. The initial cost may be more than timber, but for the longevity and wealth of other benefits, it’s honestly hard to argue with it.
Aesthetics
With aluminium slat fencing, you have a wide range of colours to choose from and can even buy them in a wood-like finish if you have your heart set on that classy wooden style.
The shape, size, orientation and overall design of the fencing is also totally customisable, allowing you to tailor your fence build to perfectly complement your patio and building.
Where to buy aluminium slat fencing
Mackson is Perth’s best value for Aluminium Slats that are perfect for tradies and do-it-yourself handymen.
We supply aluminium slats in a range of powder-coated colours including several wood-look finishes at affordable prices to tradesmen and DIY home renovators throughout Perth and WA.
Our slat fencing system utilises a channel and clip system that hides all the screws for a seamless finish. Gap sizes and slat orientation is also customisable.
In our Aluminium Slats Gallery, you will find tons of inspiration for your next project. Check out our page on aluminium slats and don’t hesitate to contact us for more information and advice.
* Prices in this article were correct on 20th January 2022 but are subject to change. Please contact us for the most updated pricing.
