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Steel or concrete fence: where concrete wins, and why

18.08.2026

Short answer. We sell steel and we do not sell concrete, so let us start with where concrete objectively wins: as a noise barrier it is about 29 dB better, and that is not an opinion, it is the mass law. Steel wins elsewhere — twenty times lighter, a panel replaced in half an hour, and any height you like with no module. Both calculations below.

Weight: a factor of twenty

One linear metre of a 2.0 m fence, posts excluded — infill only.

InfillCalculationPer linear metre
T10 profiled sheeting 0.45 mm + two 40×20×2 rails4.1 kg/m² × 2.0 m + 2 × 1.76 kg/m11.7 kg
Concrete panel, 40 mm0.040 m × 2,400 kg/m³ × 2.0 m192 kg
Concrete panel, 50 mm0.050 m × 2,400 kg/m³ × 2.0 m240 kg
Concrete panel, 60 mm0.060 m × 2,400 kg/m³ × 2.0 m288 kg

The sheet mass is derived: 0.45 mm of steel is 3.5 kg/m² flat, plus about 15% for the developed width of the profile, giving 4.1 kg/m². Dense concrete is 2,400 kg/m³.

The practical consequence is not the weight itself but where it goes: into the foundation and the posts. A concrete run needs posts and footings designed for 240 kg per metre; a steel one for 12 kg. Those are different concreting budgets, and that is where the price difference between the two fences actually sits — not in the infill.

Noise: concrete wins, and it is calculable

The sound insulation of a solid barrier follows its surface mass: gain = 20 · log(m₂/m₁). Put in 4.1 kg/m² against 120 kg/m²:

20 · log(120 ÷ 4.1) = 29.3 dB in favour of concrete.

That is the theoretical ceiling: a real fence falls short of it because of the gap at ground level, the joints between panels and the gate. But the order of magnitude is right, and the conclusion is unambiguous: if the main job is shutting out road noise, steel does not do it. No sheet thickness rescues that, for the same reason as on a roof — 6 dB costs a doubling of mass.

Where steel wins

CriterionProfiled sheetingConcrete
Infill weight11.7 kg/linear m192-288 kg/linear m
Heightanything, the sheet is rolled to sizea multiple of the panel height
Replacing one baydrill out the rivets, fit a new sheetdismantle the run, match the colour
Colourfactory polymer coating, warranty from 20 to 50 years by steel classpainted on site, needs redoing
Impact resistancethe dent showsholds up better
Noise barrierweakstrong

A note on height. A concrete fence is assembled from fixed panels, so the height comes out as a multiple. We roll the sheet to size, so the fence can be exactly 1.8 or 2.3 m with no filler strip on top. It is the same modular logic as metal tile with its 350 mm step, only here it works in our favour.

What the steel part costs

A 2.0 m fence in T10 at UAH 190/m² is UAH 380 per linear metre for the sheet itself. Posts, rails, fixings and concrete for the posts are counted separately; the full calculation is in the fence article.

We do not quote concrete panels: we do not trade in them, and a figure lifted from someone else’s price list would be invention. Ask your supplier for the price including delivery and installation — it is driven by weight, and that is where the difference against steel becomes visible.

What we do not do

We do not sell concrete, erect fences, set posts or visit sites to measure. We roll the sheet to your height, sell profile tube for the frame and fold flashings from the same coil.

How to order

Step 1. Decide the main job

Road noise — concrete. Enclosure, privacy, speed, repairability — steel.

Step 2. Measure the perimeter and height

Linear metres less the gate and wicket. The height is yours to choose, not the module’s.

Step 3. Order sheet, tube and flashings together

Call (067) 077-56-77, Mon-Fri 08:00-17:00. Production 1-2 days, delivery another 1-5 days.

FAQ

Can steel be made quieter? A little: pack the space between the rails with something dense. But you will not reach 29 dB that way — that takes mass, not tricks.

What about concrete at the bottom and steel above? A workable compromise: mass low down where it is needed against noise and ground contact, light weight above. We supply the sheet cut to the exact height of the upper part.

Which lasts longer? Concrete does not rust but absorbs water and ages at the surface. Steel does not absorb water but lasts exactly as long as its coating — from 20 to 50 years of warranty, up to 50 on SSAB.

Which goes up faster? Steel: wet work only for the posts, and the infill goes on dry in a day.

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