Full privacy
Tongue-and-groove slats interlock edge to edge, leaving no sight lines. Best for backyards, side yards, pool areas and boundaries next to roads or neighbours. Highest wind load of any fence type.
Outdoor boundary systems
Aluminium Privacy Fence, Gates & Posts
An aluminium privacy fence uses extruded horizontal or vertical slats held between posts to block views into gardens, patios, pool areas and side yards. Full-privacy panels interlock so no gaps remain; semi-private panels leave a small gap for light and air. Metline supplies matching slat, post, gate-frame and reinforcement profiles with mounting accessories, finished in powder coat or wood-grain, to fence makers and installers worldwide.
- Panel width
- 72 in (1.83 m) standard
- Heights
- 46, 69 and 92 in
- Posts
- 4 × 4 in, in-ground or surface
- Alloys
- 6063-T5/T6, 6005A-T6
What makes an aluminium privacy fence different
Most aluminium fences are open: pickets or bars that mark a boundary but do not hide anything. A privacy fence closes the view. That single change affects every part of the system, from the slat profile to the post size, the footing and the gate hardware, because a solid face catches the full force of the wind.
Timber has long been the default privacy fence, but it warps, splits, rots at ground level and needs staining every few years. Vinyl does not rot, but it can sag in heat and become brittle in cold. Steel is strong but rusts wherever the coating is chipped. Extruded aluminium avoids all of these: it does not absorb water, it keeps its shape across normal outdoor temperatures, and a properly applied powder coat protects the surface for many years.
A modern aluminium privacy system is modular. Hollow slats slide into channels fixed to the posts, so panels can be assembled on site without welding and adjusted to the actual post spacing. Matching gates, posts, caps, skirts and trim come from the same profile family and the same colour batch, so the finished boundary looks like one product rather than a collection of parts.
Full privacy, semi-private, horizontal or vertical
Semi-private
Slats are separated by small spacers (typically 3/8, 1/2 or 1 in, about 10, 13 or 25 mm). Screens most views at an angle while letting light and some breeze through, which suits patios, café seating and gardens.
Horizontal slats
The dominant modern look. Long slats span between posts, so post spacing is limited by slat stiffness; a 72 in span is the usual maximum without a mid-support.
Vertical slats
Slats run between a top and bottom rail. Suits sloping ground, because panels can be stepped or raked, and reads as a more traditional board fence.
Louvred
Angled blades block direct views but allow air and light through. Useful for screening equipment such as air-conditioning units and pool pumps.
Mixed panels
Solid lower section with a slatted or lattice top, giving privacy at eye level and a lighter look above.
The gap you choose changes how private the fence feels and how hard it works. A 1/2 in gap between 4 in slats leaves about 11 % of the face open. That is too little to reduce wind load by much, but enough to stop the fence feeling like a solid wall. Larger gaps start to relieve wind pressure noticeably, at the cost of privacy when viewed straight on.
Privacy fence panel specifications
Panels are built from hollow extruded slats that slide into U or mounting channels on the posts. The common sizes below allow quick selection and quoting; custom heights, widths and slat sizes are made to drawing.
| Panel type | Width | Height | Slat and spacing | Standard colours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full privacy panel | 72 in (1829 mm) | 46 in or 69 in (1168 / 1753 mm) | 5/8 × 6 in interlocking horizontal slats | Black, white |
| Full privacy panel, tall | 72 in (1829 mm) | 92 in (2337 mm) | 5/8 × 6 in interlocking horizontal slats | Black, white |
| Semi-private panel | 72 in (1829 mm) | 46 in or 69 in | 5/8 × 4 in horizontal slats with spacers | Black, white |
| Semi-private panel, tall | 72 in (1829 mm) | 93 in (2362 mm) | Slat spacing 3/8, 1/2 or 1 in | Black, white |
| Custom panel | To post spacing | To drawing | Slat width, gap and orientation to suit | Any RAL or wood-grain |
Panel materials and build
- Slat alloy
- 6063-T5 extrusion, chosen for a smooth coated surface
- Slat section
- Hollow board, about 16 mm (5/8 in) thick, often with internal webs for stiffness
- Panel assembly
- Slats slide into channels on the posts; top cap or trim locks the stack
- Mid-span support
- Stiffener or reinforcement rail for spans over about 72 in or tall panels in exposed sites
- Fixings
- Stainless steel screws in screw ports, concealed by screw channel covers
- Supply
- Slats, channels and posts as separate profiles for flat shipping; panels are assembled on site
Final heights and post spacing must suit local planning limits and the site wind exposure.
Matching privacy gates and screen gates
A gate is the most heavily used and most heavily loaded part of any fence. It hangs from one post, it is opened many times a day, and in a privacy fence its solid face acts as a sail when the wind blows. Gates in a matching system share the slat profile and colour of the panels, so the entrance reads as part of the fence.
| Gate type | Width | Height | Colours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full privacy gate | 40 in (1016 mm) | 44.5 in or 67.5 in | Black, white |
| Full privacy gate, tall | 40 in | 90.25 in | Black, white |
| Full privacy wide gate | 72 in (1829 mm) | 67.5 in | Black, white |
| Semi-private / screen gate | 40 in | 44.5 in or 67.5 in | Black, white |
| Semi-private gate, tall | 40 in | 90.75 in | Black, white |
| Semi-private wide gate | 72 in | 67.5 in | Black, white |
Frame and bracing
A welded or corner-keyed perimeter frame keeps the gate square. Wide gates need a diagonal brace or anti-sag cable running from the top hinge corner to the bottom latch corner.
Hinges
Adjustable heavy-duty hinges, often self-closing, let installers correct small post movements after installation. Use three hinges on tall gates.
Latches and locks
Gravity, magnetic or keyed latches. Pool gates need self-closing, self-latching hardware with the release mounted high, as pool barrier rules require.
Gate posts
Gate posts carry the gate weight plus wind on its face. Specify thicker walls or a reinforcement insert, and a larger footing, than for line posts.
Double and drive gates
Two leaves meeting at a drop rod, or a sliding gate on a track, for vehicle openings wider than about 2 m.
Swing clearance
Check the ground slope in the swing path. On rising ground, a gate may need to open outward or be fitted with a rising hinge.
Posts, mounting methods and reinforcement profiles
Posts decide how the fence is installed and how well it stands up to wind and gate loads. Privacy systems typically use 4 × 4 in (about 100 mm) square posts, larger than the 2 – 2.5 in posts used on open picket fences, because the bending moment at the base is much higher.
| Post type | Installation | Common size | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-ground post | Dig and set in concrete | 4 × 4 in × 7 ft | 46 in panels with about 30 in in the footing |
| In-ground post | Dig and set | 4 × 4 in × 9 ft | 69 in panels |
| In-ground post | Dig and set | 4 × 4 in × 12 ft | 92 in panels and tall gates |
| Surface-mounted post | Base plate on concrete | 4 × 4 in × 5 ft | 46 in panels on patios and paving |
| Surface-mounted post | Base plate on concrete | 4 × 4 in × 7 ft | 69 in panels on slabs |
| Reinforcement insert | Inside the post | Matched to post bore | Gate posts, tall panels, exposed sites |
Reinforcement profiles slide inside the post or clip behind the panel channel to raise stiffness without changing the visible size. Common shapes are T, L (for corners), box, C, U and I/H sections, usually extruded in 6063-T6 or 6005A-T6. A box insert that fills the post bore can roughly double the bending capacity of a thin-walled post, which is often cheaper than moving to a heavier outer section.
Dig and set (in-ground)
The standard method for soil. Posts are set in concrete footings below the frost line, giving the stiffest fence and the best resistance to wind.
Surface mount (concrete mount)
Posts bolted through a base plate to an existing slab, patio or retaining wall. No digging, ideal for renovation, but the slab edge distance and anchor type must suit the loads.
Core-drilled
Posts grouted into holes drilled in an existing slab. Stiffer than a base plate and hides the fixing, but needs sound concrete of adequate depth.
Wind load, post bending and footing size
Wind is the design load for nearly every privacy fence. A solid fence of height h and bay width s sees a wind force roughly equal to the design wind pressure times the panel area, acting at about mid-height. The resulting moment at the base of each post is what sizes the post and its footing.
| Case (worked example, net pressure 0.6 kPa) | Force per bay | Base moment | Stress in 4 × 4 in post, 2 mm wall |
|---|---|---|---|
| 69 in (1.75 m) panel, 72 in bay | about 1.9 kN | about 1.8 kN·m | about 70 MPa |
| 92 in (2.34 m) panel, 72 in bay | about 2.6 kN | about 3.1 kN·m | about 120 MPa |
| 92 in panel with box reinforcement insert | about 2.6 kN | about 3.1 kN·m | roughly halved |
Illustrative figures only, for unfactored loads. A net pressure of 0.6 kPa corresponds to a moderate design wind; coastal and open sites can be much higher. Design values come from ASCE 7 (freestanding walls) or EN 1991-1-4 and must be checked by an engineer for the site.
Compare these stresses with the specified minimum yield of 6063-T6 extrusion, 170 MPa, and remember that design codes add load and resistance factors. The 69 in fence on plain 4 in posts has a comfortable margin; the 92 in fence does not, which is why tall panels and gates are supplied with reinforcement inserts or heavier-walled posts. Deflection matters too: aluminium is about one third as stiff as steel, so a post that is strong enough can still sway visibly if it is too slender.
Footings must resist the same moment by bearing against the soil. A common starting point is a hole about three times the post width in diameter (around 300 mm or 12 in for a 4 in post) and deep enough to reach below the local frost line, with at least one third of the above-ground height in the ground. Gate posts and corner posts usually get a deeper or wider footing than line posts.
Mounting and finishing accessories
| Accessory | Typical size | Purpose | Colours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universal post skirt | 5 × 8 × 1.5 in | Covers base plates and anchor bolts on surface-mounted posts | Black, white |
| Adjustable mounting channel | 69 in single | Fixes panels to posts at angles for corners and irregular layouts | Black, white |
| Extra channel set | 46 in | Additional panel mounting for short runs or replacements | Black, white |
| U channel kit | 93 in, single | Holds the slat ends along the post face | Black, white |
| Mounting channels | 93 in pair | Panel mounting and securing | Black, white |
| F channels | 93 in pair | Edge finishing where panels meet walls or end posts | Black, white |
| Screw channel cover | 69 in | Hides screw heads for a clean face | Black, white |
| Slat tongue cover | 72 in | Finishes the exposed tongue on the top slat | Black, white |
| Post caps | To post size | Keeps water and debris out of the post | To match |
Adjustable channels are worth specifying on any site that is not perfectly straight. They let one panel design follow a boundary that bends by a few degrees, which removes the need for custom-cut slats at every change in direction.
Powder coating, anodising and wood-grain
| Finish | Typical specification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Polyester powder coat | AAMA 2603 / 2604 or Qualicoat Class 1, 60 – 80 µm | Standard for residential privacy fences |
| Super-durable powder | AAMA 2604 or Qualicoat Class 2 | Better colour retention for dark colours and strong sun |
| Wood-grain transfer | Sublimated pattern over a powder base coat | Timber look with no staining or sealing |
| Anodising | EN ISO 7599, class 20 – 25 µm | Metallic look for slats, gate frames and trims |
Black and white are the stock colours for most privacy systems, with grey, bronze and wood-grain the next most popular. Dark colours absorb more sun and run hotter, so they expand more; slotted fixing holes and channel-held slats allow for this movement. A 6 ft slat changes length by about 2 mm for a 40 °C swing in temperature.
Aluminium compared with timber, vinyl and steel privacy fences
| Factor | Aluminium | Timber | Vinyl (PVC) | Coated steel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rot, rust or insects | None | Rots and attracts insects | None | Rusts where coating is damaged |
| Shape stability | Stable | Warps and splits | Can sag in heat, brittle in cold | Stable |
| Routine maintenance | Washing | Stain or paint every few years | Washing | Coating repairs |
| Weight to handle | Light | Medium | Light | Heavy |
| Colour choice | Any RAL or wood-grain | Stain colours | Limited | Wide |
| Initial cost | Medium to high | Low | Medium | Medium |
| End of life | Fully recyclable, high scrap value | Often landfilled | Hard to recycle | Recyclable |
Timber remains the cheapest way to build a privacy fence, but over a long service life the cost of staining, repairs and board replacement often exceeds the extra up-front cost of aluminium. Vinyl competes on maintenance but offers fewer colours and less rigidity on tall panels. Steel is stronger but heavier, and every scratch is a potential rust point. For homeowners and developers who want a fence that still looks the same in fifteen years, aluminium is usually the better long-term value.
Planning rules and common mistakes
Before ordering, check what height of fence the site allows. Many US municipalities cap rear-yard fences at 6 ft and front-yard fences lower; in England, a boundary fence over 2 m (or over 1 m next to a road used by vehicles) normally needs planning permission. Homeowner association rules may also fix colour and style. Pool barriers have their own minimum heights and gate rules.
- Using picket-fence posts for a privacy fence. Solid infill multiplies the wind load; posts and footings must be sized for it.
- Ignoring the gate post. Gate posts carry weight and wind and need reinforcement and a larger footing.
- Spanning too far. Horizontal slats sag or flutter beyond their design span; add a mid-support or reduce post spacing.
- Mixing metals carelessly. Use stainless steel fixings with nylon washers and keep aluminium away from copper-treated timber and wet concrete.
- Forgetting drainage and ground clearance. Leave a small gap under the bottom slat so water, leaves and soil do not collect against it.
- Not planning for slopes. Decide early whether panels will be stepped or raked, because this affects post lengths and slat orientation.
What Metline supplies and how to order
Metline supplies the bare or coated extrusions (slats, posts, gate-frame and reinforcement profiles) with channels and accessories for fence makers, installers and distributors. Packing by part number and spare-parts packs are available for resellers.
- Measure and sketchTotal run length, corners, changes of level, gate positions and widths, and the panel height.
- Choose the systemFull privacy or semi-private, horizontal or vertical slats, in-ground or surface-mounted posts.
- Confirm loadsSite wind exposure and local height limits; we propose post wall thickness and reinforcement to suit.
- Select finishColour, coating standard and any wood-grain pattern.
- Inspect and shipCoating thickness and dimensional checks, EN 10204 3.1 certificates for the extrusions, export packing by part number, shipped on EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP terms.
References and standards
- ASCE/SEI 7 – Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures (wind on freestanding walls)
- EN 1991-1-4 (Eurocode 1) – Actions on structures: wind actions
- ASTM B221 – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes
- The Aluminum Association – Aluminum Design Manual
- UK Planning Portal – Fences, gates and garden walls
- Qualicoat – Specifications for coatings on aluminium for architectural applications
Aluminium (aluminum) privacy fence: FAQ
How tall can an aluminium privacy fence be?
Standard panels are 46, 69 and about 92 in high. The limit is usually set by planning rules (often 6 ft in US rear yards, 2 m in England) and by wind: panels over about 6 ft need reinforced posts and larger footings.
What size posts does a privacy fence need?
Most aluminium privacy systems use 4 × 4 in (about 100 mm) posts. Gate posts, corner posts and posts on tall or exposed fences should have thicker walls or a reinforcement insert.
Is a semi-private fence better in windy areas?
Somewhat. Small gaps between slats make the fence feel lighter but only reduce wind load slightly. Only fairly open designs (louvres or wide gaps) cut wind load substantially. In windy sites, size posts and footings for the solid case.
Can posts be mounted on an existing concrete patio?
Yes. Surface-mounted posts bolt through a base plate into the slab, and a post skirt covers the anchors. The slab must be thick enough and the anchors far enough from the edge to carry the wind moment.
How wide can a privacy gate be?
Single gates are usually 40 in wide; 72 in wide gates are common with a diagonal anti-sag brace. Wider openings are better served by double gates or a sliding gate.
Does an aluminium privacy fence need maintenance?
Very little. Wash it with water and mild detergent once or twice a year, more often near the sea, check gate hinges and latches, and touch up any deep scratches in the coating.
Can I order panels without posts, or posts only?
Yes. Metline supplies the profiles and accessories individually, including posts, replacement slats, channels, reinforcement inserts and caps in matching colours; we do not supply complete fence kits.
Planning a privacy fence?
Send run lengths, heights, gate positions, mounting method and destination. We will reply with a matched slat, gate-profile and post list and a delivered price.
