Heritage Meets Contemporary Custom Aluminium Slat Fencing

This project formed part of a substantial renovation plus new build, combining an original character home with a bold contemporary extension. The client’s brief was to replace the ageing white timber picket fence with a sleek, modern frontage that would visually connect these two very different architectural styles, whilst securing the perimeter within local government code. 

FencrGatr Operations Manager, Niels worked closely with the client through the design process, providing a consultation service offering the client options, before settling on a custom horizontal aluminium slat system in COLORBOND® color Night Sky.  The dark finish and strong horizontal lines deliberately engage with the home’s contemporary upper-storey extension with cladding and roofing, while the restrained simplicity of the design allows the original heritage façade to remain the obvious hero.

The deceptively simple finished appearance required considerable site-specific design, planning, client communication, and workmanship skills. The street slopes across the property, while the frontage incorporates existing rendered masonry walls and piers, established brick paving and garden beds, changing ground conditions and existing verge infrastructure – all presenting different challenges. Rather than remove the original masonry, the new installation was designed to complement and embrace it, with individually sized slat infill panels integrated between existing piers and new freestanding fencing continuing across the remainder of the frontage.

Different aspects of the installation were thoughtfully designed to accommodate different functional outcomes. The street-facing slat configuration was designed around applicable council requirements, while the side pedestrian gate incorporated closer slat spacing to provide increased privacy and security to rear courtyard access.  A further matching panel was installed toward the rear of the property, where the boundary fence couldn’t be replaced, carrying the same contemporary design language as the street frontage to maximise design cohesion.

Custom gates, infill panels, posts and framing were made to suit their individual locations. Particular attention was given to maintaining clean horizontal sightlines and consistent spacing across the sloping frontage and transitions between old masonry and new construction.

The result is a cohesive fencing system that delivers on all the aspects – privacy + conformity, access + security, heritage + contemporary design elements – all bought together with the installation delivered by the FencrGatr crew. 

Products Used in the Project *

The project utilised a custom aluminium slat fencing and gate system finished in COLORBOND® Night Sky®. FencrGatr®’s fabrication partner was Alagic Engineering, with components specifically fabricated to suit the different dimensions, levels and functional requirements across the property.

The system incorporated:

• 65mm x 16mm aluminium slats, using both 1.2mm and 1.6mm wall thicknesses as specified for different components.
• 50mm x 50mm powder-coated aluminium posts, including 1800mm and 2100mm post lengths, finished in Night Sky®.
• 76mm x 38mm x 3000mm aluminium patio tube, finished in Night Sky®.
• 65mm concealed fixing channels with matching concealed fixing covers, creating a cleaner finished appearance without unnecessary visible fixings.
• Custom 50mm x 16mm alloy slat gates, including gate sections approximately 1760mm and 1800mm wide.
• Gate configurations incorporating 65mm slats with 35mm gaps, together with differing spacing where required to address privacy and frontage requirements.
• D&D Technologies LokkLatch® gate latches, powder-coated to integrate with the fencing.
• Powder-coated stainless-steel butt hinges.
• Matching Night Sky® powder-coated framing, posts and associated installation hardware.

The use of concealed fixing components was particularly suited to the architectural intent of the project, helping preserve the crisp, uninterrupted horizontal lines of the finished installation.

Client Expectations and Feedback *

The client’s expectation extended well beyond replacing a deteriorating fence. Having invested significantly in a renovation that placed a highly contemporary addition behind the original character residence, they wanted the new fencing to become part of the architectural transformation of the property.

Niels worked directly with the client to understand the desired aesthetic, privacy requirements and practical use of each part of the frontage. Multiple design solutions were considered and discussed before the horizontal aluminium slat concept was recommended and developed.

Importantly, a single standard panel configuration was not simply repeated around the property. The design was adapted according to location: the street frontage responded to council and streetscape requirements, the side gate incorporated closer spacing to maximise privacy, existing rendered masonry was retained and incorporated through custom infill panels, and a matching rear section carried the design through the property.

The completed fence therefore achieved the client’s central objective: introducing a distinctly sleek and contemporary element while respecting the original home and physically and visually connecting the property’s old and new architecture.

The client subsequently awarded FencrGatr® a five-star Google review, stating:

“Niels did a fantastic job installing a new fence as part of our renovation. He was punctual, professional, and communicated clearly throughout the process.”