Slat fence
Continuous runs between posts for front, side and rear boundaries. Panels are typically 900 to 1800 mm high and 1800 to 2400 mm between post centres, with longer bays possible when an intermediate stiffener or thicker slat is used.
Architectural outdoor systems
Aluminium Slat Fencing System
An aluminium slat fencing system is a kit of extruded slats, channel posts, spacers, gates and fixings that builds a clean horizontal or vertical fence, gate or privacy screen. The gap between slats sets how much view, light and air pass through, so one system can range from open screening to near-total privacy. Metline supplies the 6063 slat, post and gate-frame profiles with spacers and fixings, powder-coated or wood-grain finished, to fence makers and installers worldwide.
- Slat alloy
- 6063-T5 / T6
- Typical slat
- 65 × 16 mm, 100 mm wide options
- Gaps
- 5 – 60 mm, adjustable
- Finish
- AAMA 2604 / Qualicoat powder, wood-grain
What is an aluminium slat fencing system?
A slat fence replaces pickets or solid boards with flat, rectangular hollow extrusions laid parallel to each other, usually horizontally. Each slat slides into a channel on the post or into a panel frame, and plastic or aluminium spacers fix the gap. The result is a crisp, architectural line that suits modern houses, townhouse developments, commercial frontages and landscaped courtyards.
Because every part is extruded from the same 6xxx alloy and coated in the same line, the fence, the pedestrian gate, the driveway gate and any freestanding screens or bin enclosures can match exactly. That is the main reason designers specify slat systems rather than mixing timber and steel: one profile family covers every element of the boundary.
A complete system normally contains five groups of parts. Slats are the visual and screening element. Posts, either slotted channel posts or plain box posts with side channels, carry the loads into the ground or slab. Spacers and joiners hold the gap and stop slats rattling. Gate frames and hardware (hinges, latches, drop bolts and, for driveways, sliding tracks or motor brackets) give access. Caps, covers and fixings close the open ends and finish the installation.
Slat fences, slat gates and slat screens
Pedestrian slat gate
A welded or mechanically jointed frame with the same slats and gap as the fence. Heavier frame sections and diagonal stiffness keep the gate from sagging, and self-closing hinges and a high latch are used where it forms part of a pool barrier.
Driveway slat gate
Swing or sliding gates in widths up to about 4 – 6 m. Sliding gates run on a ground track or cantilever rollers and are often motorised; the frame must be stiff enough not to rack under its own weight.
Freestanding slat screen
Short panels used to hide air-conditioning units, pool equipment, bins and utility meters, or to create privacy on terraces. Often mounted on base plates rather than footings.
Wall-top and infill panels
Slat panels fixed between masonry piers or on top of a low wall to raise the height of an existing boundary without a full new fence.
Balustrade infill
Slats used as infill on decks and balconies. Here the building code opening limit and guard loads apply, so gaps are usually kept under 100 mm and the posts are engineered as guard posts.
Typical slat fencing specifications
The table shows the sizes buyers most often specify. Every value can be adjusted: slat widths, wall thickness, post sections and heights are set by the look you want and by the wind exposure of the site.
| Item | Common options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Slat profile | 65 × 16 mm; 90 × 16 mm; 100 × 20 mm; 150 × 20 mm; custom | Wall usually 1.0 – 1.6 mm; wider slats need thicker walls or internal webs |
| Slat alloy and temper | 6063-T5 (standard) or 6063-T6 | T6 for long spans or exposed sites |
| Gap between slats | 5, 9, 15, 20, 30, 60 mm or custom | Set by snap-in spacers or slotted posts |
| Panel height | 900, 1200, 1500, 1800, 2100 mm | Check local boundary-height rules before ordering |
| Post centres | 1800 – 2400 mm typical | Reduce for high wind or solid (small-gap) panels |
| Post section | 50 × 50, 65 × 65, 75 × 75, 100 × 100 mm; wall 1.6 – 3 mm | Larger or steel-reinforced posts for tall privacy fences |
| Installation | In-ground (concrete footing) or surface mount on base plate | Core-drilled into walls for wall-top panels |
| Extrusion standard | ASTM B221, EN 755-2, EN 12020 (6060/6063 tolerances) | Mill certificate per lot |
| Finish | AAMA 2604 / Qualicoat powder, anodising, wood-grain | Black, white, greys and any RAL colour |
Slat weights depend on wall thickness and internal webs. As a guide, a 65 × 16 × 1.2 mm hollow slat weighs about 0.51 kg/m in 6063 (density 2.70 g/cm³).
Horizontal or vertical slats?
| Factor | Horizontal slats | Vertical slats |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Long, low lines that make a frontage look wider; the most popular modern style | Taller, more formal look; suits narrow frontages and sloping sites |
| Sloping ground | Panels are stepped down the slope in level bays | Slats can follow the slope smoothly with raked rails |
| Climbability | Horizontal members can act as a ladder, so they are often not accepted for pool barriers or child-safe guards | Preferred where non-climbable barriers are required |
| Span and stiffness | Each slat spans post to post, so slat section and post centres must suit the bay | Slats span only between rails, so thinner slats can be used |
| Assembly | Slats slide into channel posts on site, fast to install | Usually prefabricated as framed panels |
| Wind behaviour | Gaps run horizontally; similar open area for the same gap | Same, but rails carry the load to the posts |
A useful rule: if the fence must also be a pool barrier or a guard at a drop, design it with vertical slats or check carefully whether the local code allows horizontal members within the climbable zone. For ordinary boundary and privacy fences, horizontal slats are the default choice.
Choosing the gap: open, semi-privacy or privacy
The gap is the single biggest design decision. It controls privacy, airflow, light and, most importantly for the structure, the wind load the posts must resist. A near-solid fence collects almost all of the wind pressure on its face, while an open fence lets much of it through.
| Style | Typical gap (65 mm slat) | Open area | Character | Structural effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Privacy | 5 – 9 mm | About 7 – 12 % | Blocks almost all direct views; feels like a solid wall | Highest wind load; heavier posts or closer centres |
| Semi-privacy | 15 – 20 mm | About 19 – 24 % | Screens views from most angles while letting light through | Moderate load; standard posts for most suburban sites |
| Open screen | 30 – 60 mm | About 32 – 48 % | Defines a boundary but keeps views, sun and breeze | Lower load; longer bays possible |
Open area = gap ÷ (slat width + gap). Viewed at an angle, even a 20 mm gap looks closed, which is why semi-privacy is the most popular choice for boundary fences.
Posts, footings and wind loads
Slat fences fail in predictable places: posts bending at ground level, footings rotating in soft soil, and long slats sagging or vibrating in the wind. Design the system for the wind exposure of the site using the local loading code: ASCE 7 in the United States, EN 1991-1-4 in Europe, AS/NZS 1170.2 in Australia and New Zealand, or IS 875 (Part 3) in India.
Post sizing
A 1.8 m semi-privacy fence on a sheltered suburban site typically uses 65 × 65 mm posts at about 2.4 m centres or less. Exposed coastal or elevated sites, privacy gaps or heights above 1.8 m call for larger posts, closer centres or an internal reinforcing insert.
Footings
In-ground posts are commonly set about 600 mm deep in concrete, deeper for tall fences or poor soils. Slope the top of the concrete away from the post so water does not pond at the base.
Surface mounting
Base-plated posts on slabs or retaining walls rely on the anchors and the edge distance in the concrete. Use anchors rated for the bending moment, not just shear, and keep adequate distance from slab edges.
Slat span
A 65 × 16 mm slat is generally kept to around 2.4 m between supports; wider or longer bays use deeper slats, slats with internal webs, or a mid-span vertical stiffener.
Thermal movement
A 2.4 m slat grows about 1.5 mm for a 25 °C rise. Leave a small clearance at each post so slats do not bow on hot days.
Galvanic and chemical contact
Use stainless steel screws (A2, or A4 near the sea), and keep aluminium out of contact with wet concrete, copper-treated timber and steel by sleeving or coating the embedded section.
Alloys and tempers for each component
| Component | Usual alloy and temper | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Slats | 6063-T5 or 6063-T6 | Best surface for powder coat and anodising; extrudes thin walls easily |
| Channel posts and box posts | 6063-T6 or 6005A-T6 | 6005A gives a higher minimum yield for slender or tall posts |
| Gate frames | 6063-T6, 6061-T6 for large gates | Stiffness and screw-hold at hinges |
| Base plates and brackets | 6061-T6 or 6082-T6 plate | Strength at bolted connections |
| Spacers and caps | 6063 extrusion, UV-stabilised nylon or die-cast aluminium | Shape and durability |
| Fixings | Stainless steel A2 / A4 | No rust staining |
| Alloy / temper | Min. tensile (EN 755-2 / ASTM B221) | Min. yield | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6063-T5 | 150 – 175 MPa | 110 – 130 MPa | Slats, spacers, light rails |
| 6063-T6 | 205 – 215 MPa | 170 MPa | Posts, gate frames |
| 6005A-T6 | 260 – 270 MPa | 215 – 225 MPa | Heavily loaded posts |
Ranges reflect the slightly different limits in EN 755-2 and ASTM B221 and their dependence on wall thickness. Design to the minimum values on the mill certificate.
Powder coating, anodising and wood-grain finishes
For outdoor fencing, the finish decides how the system looks after ten years. The aluminium itself will not rust, but a poor pre-treatment can let filiform corrosion creep under the paint at cut ends and screw holes, especially near the sea.
| Finish | Specification to ask for | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Polyester powder coat | AAMA 2603/2604 or Qualicoat Class 1, 60 – 80 µm | Standard residential choice in black, white, monument grey and other RAL colours |
| Super-durable powder | AAMA 2604 or Qualicoat Class 2 | Better gloss and colour retention in strong sun and for dark colours |
| Wood-grain sublimation | Grain film transferred into a powder base coat | Timber look (oak, walnut, cedar) without oiling or rot |
| Anodising | EN ISO 7599 / AAMA 611, 20 – 25 µm for exterior | Metallic appearance; shows scratches less than paint |
Ask for coated slats to be cut to length before coating where possible, so the ends are sealed. Where slats are cut on site, touch up the cut faces and fit end caps. Rinse coastal fences with fresh water a few times a year to remove salt deposits.
Where slat fencing is typically specified
- Front boundary: 1.2 – 1.5 m horizontal slats with a 15 – 20 mm gap, a matching pedestrian gate and a sliding driveway gate, often in black or charcoal to match window frames.
- Side and rear boundary: 1.8 m privacy slats with a 5 – 9 mm gap on in-ground posts, chosen for maximum screening between neighbours.
- Garden and courtyard screens: freestanding semi-privacy panels to enclose an outdoor dining area or hide a spa or plant room.
- Townhouse developments: repeated fence, gate and letterbox modules in one colour across dozens of lots, delivered panel by panel.
- Commercial and hospitality: slat screens around rooftop plant, car-park perimeters, bin stores and café terraces.
- Pool areas: vertical slat panels with gaps under the code limit and a self-closing gate where the local pool barrier rule allows slats.
How to order slat fence profiles from Metline
- Define the layoutRun lengths, heights, number of posts, corners and level changes, gate positions and widths, and in-ground or surface mounting.
- Choose the lookSlat width, gap, horizontal or vertical, colour or wood-grain, and coating standard.
- Confirm the profile listWe return slat, post and gate-frame sections with weights for approval, or work to your own drawings and dies.
- Inspect and documentDimensional checks, coating thickness and adhesion tests, and mill certificates to EN 10204 3.1 for the extrusions.
- Pack and shipFilm-wrapped and bundled by part or by lot, 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
- EN 12020-2 – Extruded precision profiles in alloys EN AW-6060 and EN AW-6063: tolerances
- AS/NZS 1170.2 – Structural design actions: wind actions
- FGIA / AAMA 2604 – High-performance organic coatings on aluminium extrusions and panels
- Qualicoat – Specifications for coatings on aluminium for architectural applications
Aluminium (aluminum) slat fencing: FAQ
What is the most common slat size for aluminium slat fencing?
The 65 × 16 mm hollow slat is the most widely used residential size, normally with a 1.0 – 1.6 mm wall in 6063-T5. Wider 90 – 150 mm slats are used for a bolder look and need thicker walls or internal webs to span the same distance.
What gap should I leave between slats?
Use 5 – 9 mm for privacy, 15 – 20 mm for semi-privacy and 30 – 60 mm for an open screen. Smaller gaps increase the wind load on posts, so a privacy fence usually needs larger posts or closer post centres than an open one of the same height.
How far apart should slat fence posts be?
Typically 1.8 – 2.4 m for a 65 × 16 mm slat. Tall fences, small gaps and windy or coastal sites require shorter spacing or stronger posts; the final spacing should be checked against the local wind code.
Can a horizontal slat fence be used as a pool fence?
Often not, because horizontal members can be climbed. Many pool barrier codes restrict horizontal rails in the climbable zone. Vertical slat panels with gaps below the code limit and a self-closing, self-latching gate are the safer choice.
Does an aluminum slat fence need maintenance?
Very little. Wash it with water and mild detergent a few times a year, more often near the sea, and check that gate hinges and latches are adjusted. Unlike timber, it never needs oiling, staining or repainting to stop decay.
Can Metline supply complete gates and screens?
No, but we supply the profiles for them. Gate-frame, slat and screen profiles come in the same section, gap and colour as the fence, cut and drilled on request, for your fabricator to build pedestrian gates, driveway gates and freestanding screens.
Planning a slat fence or screen?
Send heights, run lengths, gap, gates, colour and destination to sales@metline.in. We will propose a profile list and a delivered price.
