What this covers
Wrought iron fencing is heavy steel, forged or welded into panels with pickets, scrolls and finials. It suits older homes, front yards and masonry walls, and it is the strongest residential fence type. The installer fabricates or orders panels to the layout, sets steel posts in concrete footings or core-drills and anchors them into a knee wall, welds or bolts the panels in place, and grinds the joints smooth. Because iron rusts, the finish matters: joints are sealed, the metal is primed and painted or powder-coated, and the base of each post is detailed so water drains away rather than pooling.
When to call
- A historic or brick home where a decorative metal fence fits the architecture.
- A front yard or garden that wants security without a solid wall.
- An existing iron fence that is rusted through or missing sections.
What to expect
- DesignPicket pattern, height, scrollwork and finials are chosen and panels measured for fabrication.
- FootingsPosts are set in concrete or anchored into masonry, plumb and at panel spacing.
- Install panelsPanels are welded or bolted to the posts and joints ground smooth.
- FinishThe metal is primed and painted or coated, and gates adjusted.
Get a certified company
Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.
Questions people ask
Will a wrought iron fence rust?
Bare steel does, so the finish is the protection. With a sound primer and paint, and touch-ups where chips appear, an iron fence stays in good order for a long time.
Is it true wrought iron or steel?
Most new fences are mild steel, forged or welded to look like traditional wrought iron. True hand-wrought iron is rare and mostly used for restoration of historic fences.
Can iron be installed on a brick wall?
Yes. Posts are core-drilled into the wall and set in anchoring cement or epoxy. The installer checks the wall is sound before drilling.
Related: Aluminum fence installation · Gate installation · Retaining walls · All fences and gates
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