Picket fence and railing
Vertical square or round pickets between top and bottom rails. The classic choice for gardens, pool barriers and balcony guards, because picket spacing is easy to keep under the code opening limit. See picket railing.
Architectural outdoor systems
Aluminium Fence & Railing Systems
An aluminium fence or railing system is a set of extruded posts, rails, pickets or panels, brackets and fixings that assemble into boundary fences, pool barriers, balcony guards and stair rails. Built from 6063 or 6005A extrusions and finished with architectural powder coat, it does not rust, needs no repainting and weighs about a third as much as an equivalent steel system. Metline supplies the fence and railing profiles, accessories and fixings to fabricators, installers and projects worldwide.
- Main alloys
- 6063-T5/T6, 6005A-T6
- Profile standard
- ASTM B221 · EN 755
- Finish
- Powder coat, anodised, wood-grain
- Uses
- Fencing, pool barriers, guards, stairs
Fence systems and railing systems: what is the difference?
The two products share the same materials and finishes but answer different questions. A fence marks or secures a boundary at ground level; a railing (called a guard in building codes) stops people falling from a raised edge such as a deck, balcony, landing or stair. That difference decides how each is engineered.
Fences are mainly designed for wind on the infill, impact, security and, around pools, child safety. Posts are set in concrete footings or bolted to base plates, and spans of 1.8 to 2.4 m between posts are common. Railings are life-safety components. Building codes set a minimum height, a maximum opening size and a load that the top rail must resist, and the post-to-structure connection is usually the critical detail.
Because both are assembled from extrusions, one supplier can provide matching profiles, gate sections and colours for the boundary fence, the pool enclosure and the balcony guards of the same project, which keeps the appearance consistent and simplifies ordering.
Common aluminium fence and railing styles
Slat fencing
Horizontal or vertical slats held in channel posts with spacers. Gives a modern look and adjustable privacy depending on the gap. See slat fencing.
Privacy fence and gates
Interlocking boards or solid panels that close the view completely. Wind load on solid infill is far higher than on pickets, so posts and footings must be sized for it. See privacy fence, gate and posts.
Glass railing
Toughened laminated glass in a base shoe or held by posts and clamps. Keeps views open from balconies and terraces; the glass, not the aluminium, often governs the design.
Deck and stair railing
Post, top rail, bottom rail and infill kits for timber or composite decks and for stairs, with raked sections that follow the stair pitch. See deck railing components.
Commercial and pool fencing
Heavier posts, rails and gates for schools, parks, plant perimeters and public pools, where security, vandal resistance and barrier codes matter. See commercial fence and railing.
Which alloys are used for which parts
Almost all fence and railing components are extruded from 6xxx-series alloys, which extrude easily into complex hollow shapes and are then aged to the required temper. The choice between them is a trade-off between surface finish and strength.
| Component | Usual alloy and temper | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pickets, slats, infill bars | 6063-T5 | Smooth surface for powder coat or anodising; strength is rarely critical |
| Top and bottom rails | 6063-T5 or T6 | Good finish; T6 where spans are long or loads higher |
| Fence posts (residential) | 6063-T6 | Higher yield than T5 at the same wall thickness |
| Guard posts, commercial posts, gate frames | 6005A-T6 or 6061-T6 | About 25 – 40 % higher minimum yield than 6063-T6 for slender, highly loaded posts |
| Base plates and brackets | 6061-T6 plate or 6082-T6 | Strength at bolted connections |
| Spacers, caps, covers | 6063 extrusion or die-cast aluminium | Shape and finish matter more than strength |
| Fixings | Stainless steel A2/A4 (304/316) | Avoids rust staining; insulate where needed to limit galvanic action |
| Alloy / temper (extrusion) | Min. tensile Rm | Min. yield Rp0.2 | Typical tensile | Typical yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6063-T5 | 175 MPa | 130 MPa | 186 MPa | 145 MPa |
| 6063-T6 | 215 MPa | 170 MPa | 241 MPa | 214 MPa |
| 6005A-T6 (wall ≤ 5 mm) | 270 MPa | 225 MPa | ~285 MPa | ~250 MPa |
| 6061-T6 | 260 MPa | 240 MPa | 310 MPa | 276 MPa |
Minimum values are typical EN 755-2 / ASTM B221 limits for thin-walled profiles and vary with wall thickness and section type; design to the specified minimums on the mill certificate, not to typical values.
Height, opening and load rules you will meet
Railings and pool barriers are regulated by the building code of the project location. The figures below are the ones buyers most often ask about; always check the edition adopted locally, because amendments are common.
| Requirement | United States (IBC / IRC / ISPSC) | Europe and UK | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guard height, dwellings | 36 in (914 mm) under the IRC | UK Approved Document K: 900 mm on stairs, 1100 mm at balconies and landings | 1000 mm (NCC) |
| Guard height, commercial | 42 in (1067 mm) under the IBC | Usually 1100 mm | 1000 mm; 865 mm on stair flights |
| Maximum opening | 4 in sphere must not pass (larger allowance high on commercial guards) | 100 mm sphere in dwellings and areas used by children | 125 mm |
| Top-rail load | 200 lb concentrated; 50 lb/ft line load in IBC occupancies | EN 1991-1-1 line loads by occupancy (UK annex values 0.36 – 3.0 kN/m); BS 6180 | AS/NZS 1170.1 |
| Pool barrier | At least 48 in high, self-closing and self-latching gates | National rules vary; EN 16582 and local codes | AS 1926.1: at least 1200 mm high |
For the aluminium itself, structural checks follow the Aluminum Association Aluminum Design Manual in North America or Eurocode 9 (EN 1999-1-1) elsewhere. Execution and CE marking of structural aluminium in Europe fall under EN 1090. Powder coatings are specified to AAMA 2603, 2604 or 2605, or to Qualicoat or GSB classes.
Design details that decide performance
Post size and wall
Railing posts usually fail by bending at the base. A 50 × 50 mm post with a 3 mm wall is common for residential guards; commercial guards and tall privacy fences often need 70 – 100 mm posts or internal steel or aluminium reinforcement.
Base connection
Surface-mounted posts depend on the base plate, anchor bolts and the substrate. Many failures happen in the timber or concrete, not the aluminium, so the fixing must be designed with the deck or slab.
Wind on infill
Pickets let wind through; solid privacy panels catch all of it. A 1.8 m privacy fence can see several times the post moment of a picket fence of the same height, so check footings.
Thermal movement
Aluminium expands about 23 µm/m per °C. A 6 m rail can grow by 7 mm between a cold night and a hot afternoon, so long runs need slotted holes or expansion joints.
Galvanic contact
Use stainless fixings with nylon washers, and separate aluminium from copper-treated timber, wet concrete and steel with tape, bitumen paint or plastic sleeves.
Assembly method
Most systems are mechanically assembled with screw ports and hidden brackets, so they ship flat and go up without site welding. Welded panels are stiffer but need care so welds do not show through the coating.
Powder coating, anodising and wood-grain finishes
| Finish | Typical specification | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Polyester powder coat | AAMA 2603/2604 or Qualicoat Class 1; 60 – 80 µm | Residential fences and railings in most climates |
| Super-durable powder | AAMA 2604 or Qualicoat Class 2 | Strong sunlight, coastal sites, dark colours |
| PVDF-type / AAMA 2605 | Highest colour and gloss retention | Commercial façades and premium projects |
| Anodising | EN ISO 7599 class 20 or 25 µm; AAMA 611 Class I | Metallic look, abrasion resistance, stair handrails |
| Wood-grain sublimation | Printed film over a powder base coat | Timber appearance without timber maintenance |
Near the sea, pre-treatment matters as much as the topcoat. Ask for a chrome-free conversion coating with an approved pre-anodised or "seaside" pre-treatment where the coater offers one, and rinse fences with fresh water a few times a year to remove salt deposits.
How the systems are typically specified
- Residential pool enclosure: 1200 – 1250 mm picket panels in 6063-T5 with 50 × 50 mm 6063-T6 posts, black powder coat, and a self-closing gate with a magnetic latch mounted high on the gate post.
- Apartment balconies: 1100 mm guards with 6005A-T6 posts on side-mounted brackets, 6063 top rails and laminated glass or vertical bar infill, all in one RAL colour to match the window frames.
- Garden boundary: 1.8 m horizontal slat fence with 65 × 16 mm slats, 10 – 20 mm gaps and channel posts in concrete footings, plus a matching pedestrian gate.
- School or park perimeter: 2.0 – 2.4 m commercial picket fence with heavy posts, pointed or flush tops, and double swing or sliding vehicle gates.
- External stair: raked picket railing with a separate graspable handrail profile, both anodised for wear resistance.
What Metline supplies and how to order
Metline supplies the extrusions (posts, rails, pickets, slats and gate profiles) with caps, brackets and fixings, bare or finished, for fabricators and installers to assemble. Profiles can be cut to length, punched for pickets and packed by panel or by elevation.
- Define the systemFence or guard, height, infill type, total run length, number of posts, corners and gates, and the code that applies.
- Choose material and finishAlloy and temper for posts and infill, colour (RAL or wood-grain) and coating standard.
- Confirm the profile listWe return a profile list with section sizes and weights for approval, or work to your own dies and drawings.
- Inspect and documentDimensional and coating-thickness checks; mill certificates to EN 10204 3.1 for the extrusions.
- Pack and shipProtective film or sleeves, bundled by panel or elevation, in export cases or containers on EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP terms.
References and standards
- ASTM B221 – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes
- EN 755-2 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: extruded rod/bar, tube and profiles, mechanical properties
- International Code Council – International Building Code, Section 1015 (Guards) and International Swimming Pool and Spa Code
- EN 1999-1-1 (Eurocode 9) – Design of aluminium structures
- FGIA / AAMA 2604 – Voluntary specification for high-performance organic coatings on aluminium extrusions and panels
- Qualicoat – Specifications for a quality label for coatings on aluminium for architectural applications
Aluminium (aluminum) fence and railing systems: FAQ
Is aluminium fencing strong enough compared with steel?
For residential and most commercial fencing, yes. Aluminium is less stiff than steel, so posts are made larger or with thicker walls to compensate, but a correctly sized 6063-T6 or 6005A-T6 post carries code guard loads. For high-security perimeters that must resist cutting or vehicle impact, steel is still normally used.
Which alloy is best for aluminium railing posts?
6063-T6 suits most residential posts. For tall or highly loaded guards, 6005A-T6 or 6061-T6 gives a higher minimum yield strength in the same section. Pickets and slats are usually 6063-T5, which gives the smoothest powder-coated finish.
How long does a powder-coated aluminium fence last?
The aluminium itself does not rust, so service life is governed by the coating. A properly pre-treated AAMA 2604 or Qualicoat Class 2 powder coat keeps its colour and gloss for many years in normal climates; coastal sites benefit from regular fresh-water rinsing.
Can aluminium fencing be used as a pool barrier?
Yes, it is one of the most common pool fence materials. The system must meet the local barrier rule, for example at least 48 in high with openings under 4 in in the US, or 1200 mm under AS 1926.1 in Australia, with self-closing, self-latching gates.
Do aluminium fence systems need welding on site?
Usually not. Most systems use screw ports, brackets and pre-punched rails so panels are assembled with fasteners. Where extra stiffness is wanted, the fabricator can weld panels, which must be done before coating.
What should I send for a quotation?
The system type, heights, total length, number of posts, corners and gates, infill style, colour and coating standard, any code or test requirement, quantity and delivery destination. Drawings or site plans make the quote faster and more accurate.
Planning a fence or railing project?
Send heights, run lengths, gates, colour and destination to sales@metline.in. We will propose a profile list and a delivered price.
