Iron and Metal Fences in Medford, Oregon
Ornamental steel and aluminum fences that last, without blocking the view.
Free estimate, no obligation.
Get a Free EstimateA metal fence does a different job than a wood one. It marks the line, keeps dogs and kids in, and looks sharp out front, but you can still see right through it. That makes it a favorite on view lots in the east Medford hills and around older homes, where a solid wall of boards would look out of place. Metal also doesn't rot, doesn't need stain, and won't burn, which matters more here every summer. In Ashland, the city's wildfire rules call for a noncombustible section where a fence meets many homes, and metal is the usual answer. We build ornamental metal fences across Jackson County, from short front-yard fences in Medford to longer open fences on hillside lots.
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Below, we cover the types of metal fencing and how they differ, where metal makes the most sense, how we install it, and what it takes to keep it looking good for decades. Metal pairs well with a matching gate, and our gates and gate repair page covers walk-through and driveway gates built to swing true. We'll give you a written price before any work starts.
Wrought Iron, Steel, or Aluminum
Most fences people call wrought iron today are actually ornamental steel. True wrought iron is rarely made anymore, and steel gives the same look for a lot less.
Ornamental steel is strong and heavy, a good fit for front yards, driveways, and anywhere security matters. The best steel fences are galvanized under a powder-coat finish, which holds off rust for years. Scratches do need touching up, or rust can start at the bare spot.
Aluminum looks almost the same from the street but weighs far less and doesn't rust at all. It isn't as strong as steel, so it suits yards, gardens, and pets more than high-security spots.
Heights usually run 3 to 6 feet: 3 or 4 feet for most front yards, and 5 or 6 for backyards and bigger dogs.
Both come in black and a handful of other colors, with flat tops, spear points, or decorative finials. Picket spacing matters if you have small dogs, so we'll match it to what you need to keep in.
Where Metal Makes the Most Sense
Front yards are the obvious spot. Medford's zoning rules limit fence height near the street and at corners, and a 3- or 4-foot metal fence looks finished there without closing off the house.
View lots are next. On hillside homes, an open fence keeps pets in and the valley in sight.
Metal is also the simplest way to meet a wildfire rule where a fence ties into the house. A short steel section or a metal gate can connect to a wood fence without looking like an afterthought.
And on sloped yards, many metal panels can rack to follow the ground, so the bottom stays tight to the grade instead of stepping down with gaps underneath. That keeps small dogs from slipping out at the low spots.
How We Install a Metal Fence
- Site visit and layout. We measure, confirm property lines, and plan post spacing around gates and corners.
- Written estimate. Style, color, height, and price, all spelled out.
- Utility locate. We call 811 so buried lines get marked before any digging.
- Posts. Metal panels need exact post spacing, so we lay out carefully, set each post in concrete, and check every one for plumb.
- Panels and gates. Panels are bracketed to the posts, racked where the ground slopes, and gates are hung on hardware rated for their weight.
- Cleanup and touch-up. Any scratches from installation get touched up before we leave.
Most residential metal fences take one to three days once the materials arrive.
Keeping a Metal Fence Looking Good
A powder-coated fence needs very little. Rinse it off a couple of times a year to clear dust and sprinkler spray, which can leave mineral spots on black finishes.
Walk the line once a year and look for scratches, chips, or rust spots, especially near the ground and around gate latches. A wire brush and a dab of matching touch-up paint stop rust before it spreads.
Keep soil, mulch, and sprinkler heads from sitting against the bottom of the posts, and oil gate hinges once a year so they keep swinging easily.
Done that way, a good steel or aluminum fence can last for decades, long after a wood fence would have been replaced at least once.
If you'd like metal out front and privacy out back, our wood and cedar fences page covers the cedar fences that pair well with it.
Common Questions
Most fences sold as wrought iron today are actually ornamental steel, which gives the same look for a lot less. Steel is strong and heavy, a good fit for front yards, driveways and spots where security matters, and the best ones are galvanized under a powder coat. Aluminum is lighter and won't rust, so it suits yards, gardens and pets more than high-security spots.
Mainly privacy and upkeep on steel. A metal fence lets the view through, which is the point on a hillside lot in east Medford but not if you want to block the neighbors. Steel needs scratches touched up, or rust can start at the bare spot, especially near the ground and around gate latches. Picket spacing also matters with small dogs, so we match it to what you need to keep in.
Often, yes. In Ashland, the city's wildfire rules call for a noncombustible section where a fence meets many homes, and metal is the usual answer. A short steel section or a metal gate can connect to a wood fence without looking like an afterthought. Metal doesn't rot, doesn't need stain and won't burn, which matters more here every summer. We'll check what your property needs before we design it.