What is Colorbond fencing?
Learn about the colorbond fencing composition and the layers that create sturdy and durable fencing material. Colorbond fence installation price. Read more.
Colorbond fencing is durable and sturdy fencing made out of elegant colorbond fence panels. Those are specially designed steel panels formed into fencing sheets. Those sheets are held by the posts, just like any other fence. They use the caps and other usual items. You can also have a gate made of the same material as your colorbond fence.
Since this colorbond fencing is so persistent and strong, you need special tools to work with it and special skills to install it properly. Namely, you need an experienced handyman who has already done this sort of work. When a handyman says they need special tools and skills for the job, you tend to get worried about how that reflects on the price.
Ask for the quotes for your colorbond fencing before your project starts. Several people will give you their price, so you can choose which one fits into your budget.
What is Colorbond Fencing Made of?
In its core, the colorbond fencing material is made out of special zincalume steel in its base. It is then coated with a special mix, which makes it corrosion resistant and with special penetrating colour. This is a bit of a simplified answer. In reality, colorbond fence panels have a steel base and four more layers:
- Anti-corrosion treatment
- Pre-treatment layer
- Polyester primer
- Lead-free paint
The anti-corrosion treatment goes directly onto the steel to make sure it is protected and locked in with the rest of the coatings.
The pre-treatment layer makes sure that the two layers to follow will stick perfectly together with the previous coatings.
The polyester primer is there to make the best possible surface for the colour.
The lead-free paint is resistant to chipping, scratching, peeling, fading and all other external environmental conditions because it is integrated into the coatings and penetrates the structure of the panels.
All this is done in compliance with the Australian Standard AS 1397. Once the colorbond material is created and treated like this, it is formed into colorbond fence panels. They can have different profiles and sizes, and of course – colours. Colorbond steel is also used for other purposes, like roofing.
Why Choose Colorbond Fencing?
Many Australians opt for colorbond fencing, and there will probably be a lot more of those who do so. The reason is the great benefits of colorbond fencing. Here are some of them:
- Wide Range of Colours
- No “Bad” Side of the Colorbond Fence
- Excellent Privacy
- Increased Security
- Amazing Durability
- Low Maintenance
Colorbond colours – You should not expect to get a boring, grey fence if you opt for colorbond fencing. On the contrary, you will be able to choose from 22 different colours in their palette. It is possible to find the colour to match any home or backyard.
Uniform appearance – The colorbound fence is the same on both sides. There is no side that needs more or less work or the side with a better or worse view. Colorbound fencing doesn’t twist or warp, so everybody will have the best possible side of your fence.
Privacy – there are no spaces between the fence bars like there are with other materials. Also, there is no space for peeking through between the colorbond fence panels. They fit together easily, so your privacy is guaranteed.
Security – Such hard steel, like the colorbond fencing material, is difficult to cut and bend. That is why it will definitely keep the outsiders out of your property and the insiders – in. The insiders are your kids and dogs that somehow always find a way to wiggle through other fences.
Durability and sturdiness – Steel has always been used as a metaphor for something hard and durable. Since colorbond fence panels are actually enhanced steel, you can imagine how sturdy they can be. No bushfires, termites, borers, or other pests can hurt it. It doesn’t easily wear under the Australian climate, either.
Low maintenance – Colorbond fencing is among the easiest fencing to maintain. All you need to do is wash it using plain dishwashing liquid and water and hose it down afterwards. You can paint it only if you really want to change its colour.
Can You Paint Over Colorbond Fencing?
Even though colorbond fencing comes in 22 colours, you may want to change that colour into something entirely different. The short answer is – yes. You can paint over colorbond fencing. You just need to prepare it well.
The preparation depends on the fact whether you want to colour the new colorbond fencing or the already dated and weathered colorbond fencing. If you are painting over an old fence, you just need to wash it. The new one needs to be gently sanded and then washed.
New colorbond fencing will have some lubricants on it due to the manufacturing processes. These lubricants will be present only as residuals, but they can influence your colour. That’s why they need to go away, and gentle sanding is the best way to get rid of them.
Once the surface is prepared in this way, it is time to wash your fence. This is not difficult as all you need is a mop and some warm water with kitchen detergent or a similar washing agent.
Just a quick wiping with this detergent solution will be enough to remove the dirt and dust. Once done, hose the colorbond fencing with clean water so that there is no residual detergent on it. It is important that the fence dries completely before painting.
When you have your colorbond fence all dry and ready, you just need to pick the colour, make sure it is a water-based acrylic colour suitable for outside use and do two coats of paint. Apply one coat and leave to dry completely, and then apply the second one. When the second coat dries out, your colorbond fencing is like new.
How Much Does a Colorbond Fence Cost?
The average colorbond fence installation is around $60 per hour. This can go as low as $35 if you have a fairly simple job and it is not a demanding installation. However, if there are other factors to consider, you can be charged as much as $250 per hour*.
How do you know if your colorbond fencing project will be priced on the cheaper or the steeper end of this range? You simply ask. You don’t need to go over the city or spend an afternoon on your phone. You just need Service Seeking. Get the quotes from colorbond fencing installers and learn exactly what you’ll get for your money.
*Pricing data updated on 6 December 2023.