Black ornamental fencing has long been a natural partner for the stone and brick homes of Bryn Mawr, Wayne, Haverford and the rest of the Main Line. Aluminum captures the timeless look of wrought iron, but it doesn’t rust, doesn’t need painting, and is light enough to follow the rolling terrain common on the Main Line. 76 FENCE Main Line installs aluminum fencing for homes, pools and businesses throughout the Main Line and nearby Chester, Delaware and Montgomery County communities.
Why aluminum works so well here
It won’t rust
Aluminum doesn’t rust the way iron and steel do. With a durable powder-coated finish, it stands up to humid summers, wet springs and road salt.
Classic curb appeal
Slim pickets, rails and decorative finials suit colonials, Tudors and Victorians without hiding the house.
Handles hills
Many aluminum panels are rackable, so they follow a slope smoothly instead of stair-stepping.
Pool-ready
Aluminum is one of the most popular materials for pool barriers. See pool fences.
Styles and options
Aluminum fencing comes in a range of profiles, heights and finishes. Black is by far the most requested color, but bronze, white and other finishes are available too. Common options include:
- Flat top with the top rail above the pickets for a clean, safe edge.
- Spear or pressed-point top for a traditional, stately look.
- Puppy pickets, extra pickets at the bottom that keep small dogs from slipping through. See pet fences.
- Decorative accents such as finials, rings and scrolls.
- Matching gates, from single walk gates to double drive gates, and even automatic gates.
Aluminum around pools
Aluminum’s open pickets let you see into the pool area from the house, which is exactly what you want for supervision. Pennsylvania pool barriers follow the Uniform Construction Code (based on the ICC codes): the barrier must be at least 48 inches high, and gates must be self-closing, self-latching and open outward, away from the pool. Picket spacing and rail placement matter too. We design pool fences to meet the code, but your township inspector has final say.
Built for freeze-thaw winters
Aluminum itself shrugs off weather. The real test is the posts. We set them below the frost line, typically 30″–36″ in our area (local code governs), so frost heave doesn’t knock the fence out of line. That precision matters with ornamental fencing, where even a slight lean is easy to see along a straight run.
On older lots with clay, rock and mature tree roots, we’ll plan post locations carefully and let you know about anything that could affect layout.
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What aluminum doesn’t do
Aluminum is an open design, so it won’t give you privacy. If you want to screen a patio, pair aluminum across the front with wood, vinyl or composite privacy along the back. Aluminum is also lighter than steel. For high-security settings or long, heavy gates, ornamental steel may be the better call.
Front yard in aluminum, backyard in privacy
One of the most common plans we design pairs the two. A low black aluminum fence runs across the front yard, keeping the view of the house open and giving kids and dogs a safe boundary near the street. Where the fence turns the corner toward the backyard, it transitions to taller wood, vinyl or composite privacy panels around the patio. Done well, the change happens at a natural break, such as a gate, a corner of the house or a planting bed, so the whole property looks intentional rather than patched together. We’ll sketch the transition points with you during the walkthrough and match gate styles so everything reads as one design.
Caring for aluminum
- Rinse off dirt and pollen occasionally with a hose.
- Check gate hinges and self-closing hardware each season, especially on pool gates.
- Keep trimmers and mowers from chipping the finish at the bottom rail.
That’s about it. Aluminum is one of the lowest-maintenance fences you can own.
Permits, historic review and HOAs
Front-yard fences are the ones most likely to draw municipal, historic district or HOA review, since they’re visible from the street. Rules vary; we check them for you and prepare the paperwork. Learn more on our fence permits and HOA fencing pages.
Warranty and financing
We offer and honor manufacturer warranty coverage on every fence we install. Financing is available through our partner Wisetack, and we accept ACH, debit, credit and cryptocurrency. See financing, or compare aluminum with other options on the materials page.
Picture black aluminum in front of your home? Call or text 484-779-6307 or book a free estimate.