Which Fencing Material Is the Most Secure?
Posted on: 14 March 2017
Fences serve a number of different purposes. They mark the boundaries of property, give you privacy and can enhance the look of your home. Often the most important, however, is the part they play in keeping you safe and secure.
With various different materials and styles available, there's a lot to think about when you're choosing a new fence, but which type is best for security purposes? Here are the facts to help you decide.
Aluminium
A lightweight metal, aluminium has become a popular fencing material in recent years. It can look attractive, is cost-effective for a metal, and its non-corrosive nature minimises upkeep requirements. However, it might not be the most secure option.
Because aluminium is easily bent, a determined intruder can force their way in far more easily than they would with another type of metal fence. That said, because it's hard to tell what the fence is made of just by looking at it, it can act as a very effective deterrent, putting people off trying to force entry at all.
Wrought iron
Tough and long-lasting, wrought iron might be one of your best bets if you're concerned about people trying to force or break their way into your property. Although wrought iron needs regular attention to keep it in good condition, it's much heavier and stronger than aluminium and resists dents and bending.
Because it can be custom-made and comes in all kinds of designs, wrought iron can even be installed with spikes to prevent climbing.
Wood
Wooden fences tend to fall into two categories: boards or posts. With posts, you can build fairly high fences, and if you use thick, heavy wood, the result will be pretty secure and reliable.
Boards, on the other hand, are not the best way to stop break-ins. They're great for privacy and for acting as a shade or windbreaker but will do little to stop somebody breaking the fence down or climbing over.
Chain link
It's not the most attractive type of fence, but it does offer fairly good security. Chain link can be cut through with wire cutters, but this takes time and will put off many would-be burglars. Without tools, it's extremely difficult to force entry.
Because the design of a chain link fence makes it difficult to get a foothold, it also works well to thwart climbing attempts, particularly if the fence is built to be high enough that it's not possible to grab the top.
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