- Brisbane-Based Wholesale Supplier
- 5% Below Competitor Prices
- Meets AU Safety & Building Codes
- 10-Year Aluminium Warranty
- 3 to 7 Day Installation Timeframe
Choosing between an aluminium fence and Colorbond is one of the most common decisions Brisbane homeowners face when replacing or building a new fence. Both are durable, both come in a range of colours, and both are popular across Australia. But they are very different products. Depending on your priorities, one will serve your property significantly better. Here is an honest comparison.
- SupplierBrisbane-Based Wholesaler
- ComplianceMeets AU Safety & Building Codes
- Pricing5% Below Advertised Competitors
- DesignCustom Colours & Profiles
Quick Comparison: Aluminium vs Colorbond at a Glance
| Feature | Aluminium Fencing | Colorbond Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Rust / Corrosion | Does not rust: ever | Can rust if coating is damaged |
| Style variety | Slat, batten, picket, blade, panel | Sheet panels only |
| Custom colours | Full powder-coat range + custom | Standard Colorbond palette only |
| Weight | Lightweight: easy handling | Heavier sheet panels |
| Maintenance | Rinse only | Touch-up if coating scratched |
| Supply-only cost (per lm) | $80 to $160 | $65 to $130 |
| Design flexibility | Very high | Limited |
Material and Durability
Both materials are built for outdoor Australian conditions, but they handle the environment differently. Aluminium fencing is corrosion-resistant by its very nature. It forms a natural oxide layer that protects it even if the powder-coat surface is scratched. In Brisbane’s subtropical humidity and along the coast, this is a genuine long-term advantage.
Colorbond’s durability depends entirely on its painted steel coating. If that coating is chipped during installation, scratched by impact, or degraded by salt air, rust can develop at the exposed points. It’s manageable with touch-up paint: but it’s a maintenance consideration aluminium simply doesn’t have.
Style and Design Options
This is where aluminium wins outright. Colorbond is essentially one profile type: a corrugated or ribbed steel sheet. It does its job well, but your design options are limited to height, orientation, and colour.
Aluminium fencing is available in slat, batten, picket, blade, and flat panel configurations. You can choose horizontal or vertical orientation, adjust slat spacing for privacy or airflow, and match the fence to a gate and deck in the same powder-coat colour. For contemporary Australian homes, this versatility is a major advantage.
Explore Our Aluminium Fencing Brisbane Range
Browse all slat, picket, blade, and batten profiles available wholesale across SE Queensland.
Cost Comparison: Supply and Installation (2026)
Colorbond is slightly cheaper at supply-only level. The gap narrows when you factor in installation and long-term maintenance. For premium design projects, aluminium’s versatility more than justifies the marginal cost difference. For a full breakdown of supply-only and installed pricing, see our guide on how much aluminium fencing costs in Brisbane.
| Fence Type | Supply-Only (per lm) | Installed (est.) | 10-Year Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium slat fencing | $85 to $160 | $200 to $350 | Low: rinse only |
| Aluminium picket fencing | $75 to $130 | $180 to $300 | Low: rinse only |
| Colorbond steel | $65 to $130 | $180 to $300 | Low-moderate: touch-up if damaged |
DIY Horizontal Slats Fence: FY Fencing
Custom-built horizontal slat aluminium fencing designed for Australian site conditions including sloped ground.
Which Is Better for Queensland and Coastal Homes?
For SE Queensland (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast) aluminium fencing performs better long-term. Salt air, high humidity, and UV intensity are tough on any coating. Aluminium does not rust when the coating is compromised. Colorbond can develop rust at cut edges, screw holes, and scratch points in coastal zones. The same trade-off applies to steel fencing more broadly, which we weigh up in our guide to choosing between aluminium and steel for SEQ homes.
FY Fencing’s aluminium range is powder-coated and designed specifically for Australian outdoor conditions, with a 10-year warranty on the aluminium. For more on how different materials hold up locally, read our guide to the best fence for the Queensland climate.
Our Verdict: When to Choose Aluminium
Choose aluminium fencing when:
You want a modern, design-forward look with style variety
Your property is in a coastal, humid, or high-UV zone
You want to match fencing to gates, screens, or decking
You want zero rust risk and zero repainting over the life of the fence
When Colorbond Might Be the Right Choice
FY Fencing supplies aluminium fencing and gates (not Colorbond steel) so we have no reason to talk it down. The honest answer is that Colorbond is a genuinely good product, and for some projects it is the smarter pick:
Full privacy out of the box. Colorbond is a solid sheet, so it blocks 100% of sightlines, wind, and most noise with no gaps. Aluminium can match this with a tight batten or blade profile, but a standard slat fence has spacing between the slats.
Lowest upfront supply cost on long, straight runs. For a plain boundary fence where looks are secondary (a rear fence between neighbours, for example) Colorbond is hard to beat on initial price.
Familiar and widely stocked. Almost every fencing supplier carries it, and most homeowners already know what it looks like.
Where aluminium pulls ahead is design flexibility, rust-free durability in coastal and humid zones, and the ability to match a fence, gate, and screen in one finish. If privacy on a tight budget is your only goal, Colorbond is worth a look. For the full field, including timber, mesh and PVC, see our comparison of the cheapest fencing options. If you want a fence that also lifts the look of the home and never needs repainting, aluminium is the stronger long-term investment.
Browse All Aluminium Fences: FY Fencing
Slat, picket, blade, and batten options all in one place. Wholesale pricing with 5% price match guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorbond cheaper than aluminium fencing?
Colorbond is typically $10 to $30 per lineal metre cheaper at supply-only level. However, aluminium’s long-term maintenance advantage and design flexibility make it the better value in most cases. FY Fencing’s wholesale pricing also narrows the supply cost gap significantly compared to retail suppliers.
Which lasts longer: aluminium or Colorbond?
Both can last 30+ years with proper installation. Aluminium has the edge in coastal and high-humidity environments because it genuinely cannot rust. Colorbond’s longevity depends on maintaining its coating: any cuts, scratches, or chips in salt-air environments can lead to rust development over time.
Does aluminium fencing rust?
No. Aluminium does not rust. It forms a natural protective oxide layer and FY Fencing’s powder-coated finish adds additional UV and corrosion resistance. Even if the surface is scratched, aluminium will not develop rust: unlike steel-based products such as Colorbond.
Which is better for coastal areas: aluminium or Colorbond?
Aluminium performs better in coastal areas. It is naturally corrosion-resistant and does not rust when exposed to salt air. Colorbond requires its full coating to remain intact: cuts at installation, screw points, and surface scratches can allow salt air to reach the steel and cause rust in coastal zones.
What colours does FY Fencing aluminium come in?
FY Fencing’s aluminium fencing is available in a full powder-coat colour range including Monument, Woodland Grey, Surfmist, Satin Black, Classic Cream, and more. Custom colours are available on request for larger orders. Unlike Colorbond, you are not limited to a fixed brand palette.
Does aluminium fencing add value to a Queensland property?
For contemporary Australian homes, aluminium fencing generally adds more kerb appeal and perceived property value due to its design variety, rust-free durability, and premium look. Modern aluminium slat and picket fencing is consistently cited as a visual value-add for QLD and NSW properties.
Is aluminium or Colorbond better for privacy?
Both can deliver full privacy. Colorbond is a solid sheet, so it blocks sightlines completely as standard. Aluminium gives you a choice: an open slat profile for airflow and a lighter look, or a tightly spaced batten or blade profile that screens the view just as effectively as Colorbond: with far more style and colour options.
Does Colorbond fencing get hot in the Queensland sun?
Like any metal fence, both Colorbond steel and aluminium warm up in direct Queensland sun. Lighter powder-coat colours such as Surfmist or Classic Cream stay noticeably cooler than dark finishes like Monument or Satin Black. Neither material is harmed by the heat, and aluminium tends to cool down quickly once it is out of the direct sun.
Can I use aluminium and Colorbond on the same property?
Yes, and plenty of Brisbane homeowners do exactly that. A common approach is a plain Colorbond fence along the rear and side boundaries where it is not on show, paired with a feature aluminium slat or blade fence and matching gate at the front for street appeal. FY Fencing can supply the aluminium portion to match your gate and entry.
Where can I buy aluminium fencing instead of Colorbond in Brisbane?
FY Fencing is a Brisbane-based wholesale supplier of aluminium fencing and gates, with pricing 5% below advertised competitor rates and supply or full installation across SE Queensland. Get a free quote or browse the full aluminium fencing range.
Still weighing up your options? Read our guide on Horizontal vs Vertical Aluminium Slat Fencing, compare buying panels from Bunnings vs a specialist, or browse powder-coat colour options. Planning the build itself? See how high you can go in our guide to Queensland fence height rules.
Working out what your fence line needs? Tell us the run and the height and we will quote it, supply-only or installed.