Pricing Guide: How Much Does an Aluminum Fence Cost?

Aluminum fencing typically costs $3,111 to $6,753, for an average price of $4,932.

The cost of an aluminum fence nationwide ranges from $3,111 to $6,753. The average cost across different styles of aluminum fence is $4,932 for professional installation. 

Because there are different types of aluminum fence, a professional’s rate to install your fence could fall anywhere between $19 and $76 per linear foot. A typical mid-range aluminum fence would be about $48 per linear foot.

How Much Does Aluminum Fencing Cost?

An aluminum fence can be sleek and modern or traditionally ornamental, but either way, it will be nearly maintenance-free compared to other fence types. Unfortunately, you pay a high price for such a versatile, convenient fence material.

  • National average cost: $4,932
  • Typical price range: $3,111 to $6,753
  • Extreme low end: $1,600
  • Extreme high end: $9,135

Common uses for aluminum fencing include pool fences and ornamental front yard fences. Most projects like these will cost between $3,111 and $6,753

However, some aluminum fences have intricate designs or surround a larger area, and those fences will cost closer to the high end of $9,135. For a smaller fence with plain straight bars, you could pay as little as $1,600 total.

The specifics of your fence — such as size, height, and color — will determine which price point is closest to yours. 

Cost Estimator by Size

The larger the area you want to fence in, the more you’ll have to pay in both labor and material costs. Most pro fence installers charge by the linear foot, with a national average rate of $48 per linear foot for aluminum. Some low-end aluminum fences might cost closer to $19 per linear foot, while high-end or custom styles can climb to $76 per linear foot

Many homeowners use aluminum fencing to enclose their pools, or an area of around 500 square feet. A project of this size, whether for a pool or a yard, will require about 69 linear feet of fencing. If we use the $48 rate, we can estimate that the total cost of this size fence would be about $3,312.

For a mid-sized front or backyard of 2,000 square feet, you would need about 135 linear feet of fence, for an overall cost of approximately $6,480. A large 3,500 square foot yard would take 180 linear feet of fence or so, the total for which would be around $8,640.

In these example projects, we assume the fence would cover three sides of the yard’s perimeter, with the house forming the fourth side.

Other Factors That Affect Cost

As already mentioned, aluminum fences are versatile and customizable for different needs, which means there are lots of variations in appearance and price point. For an accurate price estimate, you’ll have to decide which of the many variations is right for you, one feature at a time. 

Pool Fence Cost

Aluminum pool fence with some landscaping along it
Photo Credit: Troy Goode / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0

For any pool fence, you’ll have to adhere to local safety codes and regulations. Sometimes, the rules where you live will require a fence of a certain height or style around a pool. Since aluminum is such a popular option for pool fences, local regulations could affect your project.

Before you plan your pool fence, look into your city, county, and state regulations. Installing a fence around a pool won’t inherently cost any more or less from fencing in another area, but since a pool fence might need to be taller or more private than what you had in mind, your overall price would reflect local requirements. 

Aluminum Fence Gates

Metal fence gate open and showing a body of water beyond it
Photo Credit: grace_kat / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0

The type of gate you need to install depends on your fence’s purpose. A pool fence, for example, will likely feature a small single walk-through gate, which is generally the cheapest kind of aluminum gate. 

On the other hand, if your aluminum fence will enclose your front yard, you may need to include a driveway gate that opens automatically to let cars through. Aluminum driveway gates are popular and come in different styles, ranging from simple to ornate. Some have decorative stone or brick columns and security features such as a keypad. 

You could pay anywhere from $950 to $7,500 per aluminum gate. Gates closer to that high end cost so much because they feature a lot of bells and whistles like the ones mentioned above. 

Aluminum Fence Styles

The standard aluminum fence, which you’ve probably seen a hundred times before, has straight vertical bars spaced a few inches apart. They usually come with a powder coating to protect from patina and rust. Standard powder-coated aluminum fences like these usually cost about $11 to $29 per linear foot

Aluminum fences come in more decorative styles, too. Instead of plain bars, your fence could feature an arched top, spear top, or other ornamental details. A more ornamental aluminum fence could cost anywhere from $15 to $48 per linear foot for professional installation. 

Though significantly less popular, an aluminum privacy fence is another option. Much like a vinyl or composite privacy fence, an aluminum one includes solid panels that block views and noise. The privacy style is expensive no matter how plain you go, with a typical price range of $27 to $36 per linear foot

ALUMINUM FENCE TYPECOST per linear foot
* materials and Labor
Standard powder-coated$11 – $29
Ornamental$15 – $48 
Solid privacy$27 – $36

Decorative Options

Ornate metal fence with white flowers surrounding it
Photo Credit: RichardBH / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

When it comes to ornamental aluminum fencing, one of the main decorative features is the top of the bars (or pickets). The most common top style is plain and straight, and this option is typically the most affordable. Flat-top aluminum fences can vary a lot in price depending on how many horizontal rails they have (usually one, two, or three). 

Another popular style is spear-top, in which each bar features a pointed head. The spear-shaped toppers vary in look, with some coming to a simple point like an arrowhead and others having a more intricate shape, such as a fleur-de-lis. Spear-top aluminum fence designs usually come in a straight-across style with all the tops being the same height and a staggered version, with alternating taller and shorter tops. A staggered spear-top look will usually be more expensive. 

An arched-top aluminum fence is typically the most expensive decorative option. In this style, the top of each fence panel is a curve. Most of the time, you’ll only see arched tops on gates, but sometimes they go all the way around the fence. 

Since each general top style includes countless different designs that use more or less material, it’s difficult to give an exact price range for each type. Versatility is a benefit of aluminum fencing, but it can make estimating prices without specific project details a little tricky. 

DECORATIVE TOP STYLERELATIVE COST
*materials and labor
Flat top$ – $$$
Spear top$$
Arched top$$$

Fence Height

Sun shining over a metal fence
Photo Credit: haru__q / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0

Aluminum fences come in lots of different heights. Most residential aluminum fences fall between 2.5 and 6 feet tall. In most places, a pool fence has to be at least 4 feet high. 

Taller aluminum fences are available, too — up to 10 feet high — but these are usually only for commercial properties. In general, you should expect to pay more in labor and material costs for a taller fence than for a shorter one. The added expense could be extremely significant for a 10-foot fence. 

Fence Thickness

There are different gauges (or thicknesses) of aluminum, some of which have better durability through severe weather and other damages. The thinner the aluminum, the easier and less expensive it will be to install. However, a fence of thinner aluminum also will be more likely to fall over or be susceptible to dents. 

When you contact a pro fence installer (or a supplier for DIY projects), ask what gauges of aluminum they have available and how much each costs. They should help you find an option that suits your needs and your budget. 

Color

White metal fence between concrete pillars
Photo Credit: russellstreet / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0

Most aluminum fences you’ll see are plain black, which is the standard and cheapest color. While some designs may come only in black, many are available in other colors. For an additional cost, you can find aluminum fencing in white, brown, tan, green, sandstone, and other options.

Permits

Depending on where you live, you may need a building permit before installing a fence in your front yard or backyard. Just like with pool fence regulations, check your local municipality’s permit requirements before you start building. If you work with a pro fence installer, he or she usually will know what permits the project requires and obtain them for you. 

Even if you work with a pro fence company, though, you’ll have to pay for the permits yourself. Fees can range from $20 to $400.

Time of Year

If you live in a colder climate where temperatures drop well below freezing during winter, it will be cheaper for you to hire a fence contractor in the warm parts of the year. The ground can freeze in winter or late fall, making it harder to dig fence post holes. Your fence installation would take longer, and you would have to pay the pro for more work hours. 

Extra Services

In some cases, you may have to take steps to prepare your property for a new fence before installation. You may also need additional services for your fence after it’s built. Check whether you need these extra services and adjust your aluminum fence project costs accordingly.

Land Grading

Hydraulic backhoe in a field
Photo Credit: Matt MacGillivray / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

If your yard has a slope, you may need to install your aluminum fence in a stair-step or raking formation to accommodate the angle or curve of your land. For intense inclines (or if you don’t like the stair-step look), you may need to re-slope the land itself. 

Mention any hills you think might be a problem to your fence company and find out if they do land grading or if you’ll have to hire a separate pro. The exact cost of this part of your project depends on how much work your property needs. 

Added cost: $900 to $3,000

Fence Removal

Most fence installers conveniently double as fence un-installers. For an extra fee, they’ll dig up your old fence and haul away the debris before replacing it with a new one. This service can make your project take longer in addition to making it more expensive. 

Added cost: $3 to $5 per linear foot of fence to be removed 

Tree or Bush Removal

trees being removed by a group of people
Photo Credit: Forest Service, Eastern Region / Flickr / Public Domain 1.0

Trees and bushes where you want to put your aluminum fence will need to be removed. In this case, you’re more likely to have to hire a separate tree service to remove the obstructions. Most tree care pros will price a removal based on the height of the tree or bush, the complexity of the root system, and the location of the plant in your yard.

Added cost: $385 to $1,070 per plant or $10 to $14 per foot of plant height

Painting

Aluminum fences resist rust and aren’t vulnerable to pests or water damage, so you don’t have to paint them for protection. You might still want to paint your fence to alter its color, though. If you have your fence installer paint the fence for you, you’ll have to pay for both the paint and the labor. 

The overall cost of painting will depend on the quality of paint you choose and how much fence there is to be coated. 

Added cost: $500 to $3,000

Pressure Washing

Pressure washer sitting outside next to a rug
Photo Credit: osseous / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

One of the main benefits of aluminum fencing is it’s low-maintenance, but low maintenance doesn’t mean “no maintenance ever.” Aluminum might not rust, but it can still get dirty from mud, pollen, and other outdoor messes. When that happens, you can pressure wash the fence or hire a pro to pressure wash it for you. 

Pro Tip: Before spraying the whole fence with a pressure washer, test a small section to make sure the aluminum can stand up to the high pressure. 

Added cost: $213 on average nationwide 

Cost of Installing an Aluminum Fence DIY

Because aluminum fencing usually comes in pre-assembled panels, installation is a fairly easy DIY project. Installing your aluminum fence will take at least a few days, since you have to set the posts in concrete, and some steps will take an extra set of hands, so you’ll probably want to phone a friend.

Even though installing an aluminum fence is relatively simple, keep in mind that it can look really bad if you do it wrong. If you aren’t confident in your ability to set posts straight in concrete, you may want to hire a pro fence installer, even though it will cost more.

Equipment Needed

If you want to install your own aluminum fence, you’ll need a few tools first — but nothing too fancy. Many of the necessary tools are common household items, and even the less common ones aren’t too expensive. You shouldn’t have to spend too much money on equipment for this project.

We gathered average prices from Amazon, Lowe’s, and Home Depot to estimate how much you would have to pay for each tool. 

TOOLAVERAGE COST
Tape measure$18
Stakes$4/piece; $104 overall
Mason’s line$15
Shovel$23
Post hole digger$50
Post level$9
Screwdriver$12
Work gloves$10
Protective safety glasses$16
TOTAL$257

Cost of Materials

Unfortunately, the construction materials for an aluminum fence are a lot less affordable than the tools. Keep in mind that we’re using average prices here, and the specific pieces you choose could cost more or less depending on the style. 

For this cost estimate, the theoretical fence is 150 linear feet long, a pretty typical size for residential fencing. To build an aluminum fence of this size, you would need 24 6-foot high standard posts, two 6- to 7-foot high gate posts, one 4-foot high single gate, and 25 6-foot wide by 4-foot high fence panels. When finished, this fence will stand 4 feet tall.

MATERIALSAVERAGE COST
*per item
APPROX. TOTAL COST
Aluminum end, line, and corner posts$55$1,320
Aluminum gate posts$54$108
Aluminum fence panels$119$2,975
Aluminum gate$291
Gravel$400 for large bag
Concrete mix$20 for large bag
TOTAL$5,114

How to Install an Aluminum Fence DIY in 7 Steps

1. Measure. Before you can buy the materials for your project, measure the perimeter of your yard, swimming pool area, or other space you want to enclose. Find the perimeter in linear feet to figure out how many panels and posts you need.

2. Outline. After you measure and purchase your materials, stake out where the fence will go. Put stakes in the ground at each corner and tie mason’s line or a similar durable string tautly between them. Then, put a stake in the ground along the string to represent each line post. Space out the stakes (the posts’ positions) according to the width of your panels. This example uses 6-foot wide panels, so you would place a stake every 6 feet. Every stake should touch the string to ensure they’re all in line with each other. Leave an open space for the gate in your outline.

3. Dig post holes. At each spot where you put a stake, use a post hole digger to dig a hole about 6 inches in diameter and deep enough to bury one-third of the post plus 6 extra inches. The fence in this example uses 6-foot posts, so you would dig a hole 2 feet and 6 inches (30 inches) deep. Always call 811, the diggers’ hotline, to find out where your underground utility lines lie before digging. 

4. Add gravel base. In each post hole, pour 6 inches of gravel. You’ll install the posts on top of this base, which will help water drain away from the posts in the future. 

5. Prepare concrete and set posts. Mix the concrete until it’s ready to pour. Stand a post in each hole and have a partner hold it plumb (vertically straight) while you pour the concrete around the base of the post. Leave about 3 or 4 inches of space at the top of the hole and backfill that space with dirt. Use a post level to make sure all the posts are plumb and level, then leave them alone for a few days while the concrete sets.

6. Attach fence panels. Between each fence post that you installed earlier, you’ll attach one of your aluminum fence panels. Exactly how you fasten the panels will depend on the specific product you buy, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. 

7. Install gate. Install the gate with the hardware it came with (hinges, latch, etc). As with the panels, the exact method of installing a gate varies, so refer to the instructions that come with your purchase. 

DIY Cost vs. Professional Installation Cost

Even a DIY aluminum fence is pricier than a lot of other fencing options. Tallied together, the necessary equipment and materials to install 150 linear feet of 4-foot high aluminum fence would cost about $5,371

Based on national average costs, we estimate that you would pay a fence contractor approximately $7,200 to install the same fence. On a project like this one, you would save almost $2,000 by cutting out professional labor costs. For a larger project, you could save even more. 

However, aluminum fencing is sometimes just as easy to mess up as it is to install correctly. Homeowners who don’t have much construction experience may want to bite the bullet and pay for professional installation rather than risk having a wonky-looking fence. 

Cost of Aluminum Fencing by Location

Aluminum fencing materials may not vary in price by region like natural materials such as lumber or stone, but professional labor costs will always depend on your location. 

Remember that the prices listed throughout this breakdown are based on national averages. If you live in a metropolitan area with a high cost of living, you should expect to pay more than the estimates given. On the other hand, if you live in a rural area, you may end up paying less. 

FAQ About Aluminum Fences

1. How long does an aluminum fence last?

Most aluminum fences last for at least 20 years with little maintenance, and some can stand for longer than a lifetime. 

2. What are the cons of aluminum fencing?

A typical aluminum fence doesn’t offer much in the way of privacy or security. Because aluminum is lightweight and malleable, it can be easily damaged or dented. 

3. Is steel or aluminum fencing better?

That depends on what’s most important to you. A steel fence is heavier, stronger, and more impact-resistant, but it’s susceptible to rust. An aluminum fence doesn’t rust, and it’s usually less expensive, but it’s also easier to damage. 

DIY or Hire a Pro to Install Your Aluminum Fence?

Aluminum fences vary a lot in cost based on the type of aluminum and the complexity of the design, but you can generally expect to pay $3,111 to $6,753 for professional installation. The national average price of an aluminum fencing project is $4,932

Aside from the fence itself, other factors such as the layout of your property, the time of year, and where you live can affect the overall cost. 

Alternatively, you could install your own aluminum fence for a little less money and a lot more work. You won’t have as many customization options going the DIY route, though, and you’ll still have to spend a few thousand dollars, so keep that in mind when deciding what’s best for you. 

Note: Fence Gnome may get a referral fee for matching you with contractors in your area.

Main Photo Credit: s9-4pr / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

Jordan Ardoin

Jordan Ardoin is a writer and editor with a passion for sustainable, earth-friendly gardening and lawn care practices. When she isn't sharing her knowledge about lawn care and landscaping, you can find her curled up with a good book and a cat in her lap.