Aluminum Fence Fittings vs Steel Fence Fittings

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In North America, chain link fences have a large variety of fittings that are required to complete each fence system. These include dome caps, line post tops, rail ends, brace bands and more.

One of the major questions that need to be answered when designing a fence system is whether you plan to use aluminum fence fittings, or you want to use steel fence fittings. So let’s look at some of the pros and cons of each type of fence fitting.

Price

Generally, aluminum fence fittings are a little cheaper than steel fence fittings, and they also come in smaller sizes that are usually used for residential chain link fencing.

Steel fittings sometimes cost a little more, and they are usually available in larger sizes that are used for commercial and industrial fence systems.

Corrosion

When it comes to corrosion, aluminum fence fittings win because they don’t rust like steel fence fittings do. However, good quality pressed steel fence fittings are galvanized, which makes them more corrosion resistant, and if your fence system is powder coated too, you can expect steel fence fittings to last a long time.

Security

One of the big security benefits of using steel fence fittings on a commercial or industrial fence system is that you can tack weld them so that they are very hard to remove.

While you can do something similar with aluminum fence fittings using a two-part epoxy adhesive or something similar, however, aluminum is also much softer and more brittle than steel, so these kinds of fittings can also be damaged or broken more easily using ordinary hand tools.

Size Range

Often, the deciding factor between aluminum fence fittings and steel fence fittings is not price, corrosion or security. It’s what size is required. While many residential fence fittings are available in aluminum and steel, once you start designing a commercial or high-security fence, you’re likely to find fewer aluminum options.

There are also some chain link fence fittings like brace bands, tension bands, tension bars and carriage bolts that are always made from steel because they will be subjected to a relatively significant amount of tension, and they need the tensile strength that steel offers.

Get a Pro Take Off

If you are shopping for fence fittings and you’re not sure exactly what you need, you’re not alone. Chain link fences in North America are pretty complicated, and there are lots of different parts.

The best way to make sure you get everything you need for your fence and that it’s made from the right materials is to get a fence professional to do a take-off for you. Many fence manufacturers and suppliers will do this for you if you provide them with a site layout drawing of your project.