On a renovation or a multi-unit build, the fence is often decided late and fixed under pressure. It touches the budget, the approvals, the landscaping schedule and, later, the property manager’s maintenance calendar.
This guide is a spec checklist for owners, builders and managers who are considering commercial aluminum fencing on a larger or higher-end property. It covers what to decide before you ask for quotes.
What should a fence specification include?
A usable spec names the height, the sightline you need, the post and panel system, the finish, the gate layout and the maintenance obligations. Anything left out gets decided later by whoever is on site, usually in a hurry.
Write these down before tendering:
- Fence height and where it changes, including grade changes
- Solid, semi-solid or open panel, by zone
- Post size, mounting method and what each post sits on
- Finish and colour, with a physical sample approved
- Number, width and position of gates
- Who cleans the fence and how often
Solid or semi-solid: how do you choose by zone?
Use solid panels where you need a visual barrier, such as service areas, bin enclosures, pool decks and boundaries facing neighbours. Use spaced-slat panels where light and airflow matter more than screening, such as long side runs and shared lines.
PrimeAlux builds both on the same post and rail system. Panels use 100 x 20 mm slats on 80 x 80 mm aluminum posts, so mixing closed and spaced panels across a site keeps one consistent look.
A caution on Semi-Privacy: the gap between slats is about 13 mm, and visibility is reduced at standing height but not removed. If a unit owner expects full screening, specify a closed panel.
Which gates fit a multi-unit or estate layout?
Specify gates in the same drawing as the fence, not as an add-on. The PrimeAlux gate kit comes with posts and hardware, is 6 ft high, and is offered in 28 in and 44 in widths, with custom widths and heights on request. The frame is non-welded and fastened with screws and brackets.
Those are walk-gate sizes. If a site needs vehicle access, confirm what is available before you design around it, rather than assuming a kit can be scaled up. PrimeAlux also mentions pre-assembled gates and bulk supply for multi-site projects, which is worth asking about if you are fencing several properties at once. Browse the matching aluminum gates to see the profile and finish options.
What to ask the supplier for
A brochure is not a specification. For a tender package, ask for the items below, and have your consultant confirm they match the system and mounting you are specifying.
| Ask for | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Test reports for the exact system | Results apply to the tested specimen only |
| Design wind load and the mounting it was tested with | Mounting method changes the result |
| Footing or base plate details | A mounting surface is not a designed foundation |
| Gate clear openings and hardware schedule | Needed for access and accessibility checks |
| Installation manual and cleaning instructions | The coating warranty depends on cleaning |
| Warranty policy in full | Conditions matter more than the headline term |
What does the fire test data say?
An ASTM E84 test on the PrimeAlux privacy slat system recorded a flame spread index of 0 and a smoke developed index of 50, which falls in the Class A range. E84 measures surface-burning characteristics of a material. It is not a rating for the fire resistance of a complete installed fence, and it is a result for that specimen, not a certification of every PrimeAlux product.
If your project has a fire-related requirement, ask for the full test report and have your consultant confirm that it applies.
What about permits and by-laws?
Ordinary residential fences are usually regulated through municipal fence by-laws, with maximum heights that depend on location, rather than through building permits. Toronto and Mississauga both work this way, and Toronto requires a permit for swimming pool enclosures. Multi-unit and commercial sites can also carry conditions from zoning or site plan approval, so confirm with the municipality and your planner before the drawings are final. Rules change, so check the current by-law.
Who maintains the fence, and what does the warranty require?
Someone has to clean it. PrimeAlux backs the slat coating with a 15-year warranty, and the fence system must be cleaned twice a year following the PrimeAlux cleaning instructions. On a multi-unit site, write that into the maintenance schedule and assign it, or the warranty condition quietly goes unmet.
Aluminum does not rot or need staining, which removes the largest recurring cost of a wood fence. PrimeAlux also states that its aluminum contains up to 70% recycled content, a point some sustainability reporting will ask about.
Frequently asked questions
Is aluminum suitable for a commercial or multi-unit fence?
Yes. It does not rot, warp or need repainting, and the powder-coated finish is designed for outdoor exposure. The practical requirement is a cleaning schedule, because the coating warranty depends on cleaning twice a year.
Can gates be matched to the fence panels?
Yes. PrimeAlux gates are matched to the fence panels in profile, finish and hardware, and come in the same four colour finishes. Standard kit widths are 28 in and 44 in, with custom sizes available on request.
Does the fence have a fire rating?
An ASTM E84 test on the privacy slat system recorded flame spread 0 and smoke developed 50, which is in the Class A range. It measures surface burning of the tested specimen, so request the report for project documentation.
How tall can a fence be?
Limits are set by the municipality, not nationally, and they differ for front yards, rear yards and corner lots. Check the current by-law for your site.
Can I see the finishes in person?
Yes. The PrimeAlux showroom is at 2222 South Sheridan Way, Unit 116, Mississauga. Bring your cladding or paving sample and compare in daylight.
Before you tender
Settle the height, the screening level by zone, the gate positions and the cleaning responsibility first. Get a physical finish sample approved, ask for test reports and mounting details where your project needs them, and confirm municipal rules before the drawings are final.
