Wrought Iron Fence Cost Calculator

What You're Actually Buying When You Buy "Wrought Iron"

Genuine wrought iron is a specific low-carbon metal, hand-worked by a blacksmith, and it's almost never used for standard residential fencing anymore because the labor is prohibitively expensive. Most fences sold under the wrought iron name are ornamental steel, powder-coated for rust resistance and mass-manufactured into traditional decorative patterns. Aluminum ornamental fencing looks similar but weighs far less, never rusts at all, and costs somewhat less than steel, though it's not quite as rigid.

Where the Real Cost Differences Show Up

Steel and true iron need their powder coating or paint inspected periodically, since a scratch through the coating exposes bare metal that will rust if left untreated. Aluminum skips this entirely since it doesn't rust regardless of coating damage, which is a genuine long-term maintenance advantage even though it costs slightly less upfront. Custom gates with scrollwork, finials, or a family crest are where pricing climbs fastest, since that work is done by hand rather than on a production line.

• A driveway gate wide enough for a vehicle, with an automatic opener, commonly adds $2,000 to $6,000 on top of the linear-foot fencing cost, depending on width and motor type.
• Steel ornamental fencing is noticeably heavier than aluminum, which gives it a more substantial, permanent feel but also means post footings need to be sized correctly to support the weight over time.

Pool and Security Code Requirements

Many municipalities require pool-enclosure fencing to meet specific height, gap-spacing, and self-latching gate rules, and ornamental steel or aluminum fencing is a popular way to meet those codes without blocking the view of the pool the way a solid privacy fence would. Picket spacing on ornamental fencing sold for pool compliance is typically manufactured to stay under the 4-inch gap most codes require, so it's worth confirming a specific product is rated for pool use rather than assuming any ornamental fence qualifies. Getting this wrong can mean a failed final inspection and a costly fence replacement.

Matching an Existing Historic Fence

Older homes with an original wrought or cast iron fence sometimes need a matching repair or extension, and finding a fabricator who can replicate a historic pattern is a very different search than shopping for standard ornamental steel panels. Salvage yards occasionally carry matching period sections, and custom metal shops can reproduce a pattern from a photo or a removed section, though this kind of bespoke work sits well above production-line pricing.