If you are a building professional or DIY enthusiast taking on a fence project, it’s important to consider your choice of material for your fencing panels. Popular decisions tend to be timber, aluminium and steel.
This article is about Colorbond fencing: what it is and how it compares to your other options in terms of cost, durability, strength, maintenance and appearance.
What is a Colorbond Fence?
Colorbond fencing is a brand of pre-painted steel fencing favoured across Australia for its strength and durability. Colorbond fencing offers the same lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties as aluminium while being much stronger and sturdier in construction.
That’s the quick summary, but before we dive into what sets Colorbond apart from other materials, let’s briefly cover how they’re manufactured.
What is Colorbond Fencing Made From?
At its core, Colorbond fencing is made the same way as Zincalume, where it gets its strength and durability.
Zincalume is a kind of galvanised steel made from aluminium and zinc. It is highly corrosion-resistant – around 4 times less likely to corrode than ordinary galvanised steel.
It is then pre-painted, a process that only incurs a small additional manufacturing cost!
Lead-free paint becomes an integral part of the Colorbond steel panels as they are being formed, so it is not merely regular steel that has been painted before being shipped.
The result is a highly weather-proof and long-lasting material that is ideal for outdoor fencing and resilient in extreme weather conditions. These fence panels are incredibly reliable and low maintenance, possibly the main reason they’re a popular choice.
Colorbond fencing panels come in various colour choices – 14 to be exact.
Nothing can stop you from applying acrylic paint over Colorbond fencing with whatever colour you like, but remember it will never be quite as resilient as the “baked-in” Colorbond paint.
So if you have your heart set on painting your fence hot pink, then Colorbond could still be the best option for your budget.
What Colours Are Colorbond Fences Available In?
Colorbond fences are pre-painted in a selection of 14 different colour choices. These include shades of grey and some sandy and earthy hues (see image below).
These are wonderfully versatile colours that allow you to design your exterior fence to complement your property perfectly, adding visual appeal while providing unparalleled protection.
Why Build A Colorbond Fence?
There are many reasons to choose Colorbond for your fence project besides those mentioned above.
Unlike timber and metal designs featuring vertical or horizontal slats, Colorbond fencing panels are made without gaps.
This makes them ideal for creating a private space, whether in your backyard, place of business, or elsewhere.
Being a strong and durable material, a Colorbond fence makes for a serious upgrade to security and is sure to immediately increase the value of your home or business.
Not only does it look solid and secure, but from a design point of view, Colorbond fencing is also aesthetically pleasing and adds modern street appeal to your property.
At Latitude, we also offer welded steel frames with our Colorbond Gate Kits to create a seamless and cohesive look. Our gate capping for the outer edge utilises a safety edge system to prevent unsightly cuts.
Read more: How To Install a Colorbond Fence – DIY Guide.
Colorbond Compared With Other Fencing Materials
Now let’s look at a comparison between Colorbond and other popular choices of fencing material.
Colorbond vs Aluminium Fencing
Aluminium is a fine choice of fencing material as it is durable and affordable. With Colorbond fencing being a little more expensive, what exactly are you getting for the extra money?
Steel is stronger and sturdier than aluminium, making it ideal for outdoor fencing. Colorbond steel fencing is made to survive extreme weather conditions and truly stand the test of time – all while being maintenance-free.
Additionally, Colorbond fencing is pre-painted and comes in a selection of colours.
This is a huge plus for building professionals and DIY enthusiasts because it can be painted if desired, but it’s unnecessary. So that’s one less stage of the project to worry about – it saves you time and expenses, and it’s one less thing that can go wrong.
Colorbond vs Corrugated Iron
Corrugated iron is one of the cheapest options per meter for fencing. However, it is vulnerable to rust over time. Therefore, there are very few scenarios where corrugated iron might be preferable over timber or steel.
Colorbond, as well as being sturdier and more visually pleasing than corrugated iron, is high-quality steel that is highly resistant to rust and corrosion.
Colorbond vs Timber Fencing
Another popular choice of fencing materials among Australians is timber. Timber fencing offers excellent value for money regarding strength and durability and is relatively low maintenance.
Various kinds of timber vary in price, strength, and appearance. Colorbond steel fencing has a very different aesthetic that may or may not be desired.
One crucial difference to mark here is that timber fencing is potentially prone to rotting, sagging and warping over the years, whereas the high-grade steel of Colorbond fencing will not suffer from these issues.
Should I Choose Colorbond for My Fencing?
So, in summary, while a Colorbond fence may seem like the more costly option, it’s essential to think in the long term.
If I install a timber fence now, will it show signs of rotting in a few years and eventually need replacing?
And is such a replacement job costly enough to justify investing the extra money into a more long-lasting material?
Think about the appearance of the fencing too. Which material would best suit your property? And are aesthetics more important to you than durability? Or would you instead go with the more reliable and low-maintenance option?
At Latitude, we supply a wide range of Colorbond fencing panels in Melbourne for any fencing project and at some of the most competitive pricing in Melbourne.
They are available in a range of widths and heights, which can be mixed and matched as desired to create the perfect design for the perimeter of your home or business.
Not sure what size you need? We can help you determine the correct dimensions for your fencing project. Request a quote, and contact us for a chat to learn more about Colorbond fencing.
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