Wrought Iron Fence Cost Calculator
Ornamental steel, true wrought iron or aluminum — installed.
Most “wrought iron” fences sold today are ornamental steel at roughly $29–$43 per foot installed at 4 ft tall; true solid-bar wrought iron is custom work at about twice that. Gates are priced separately.
Calculation Results
📌 Steel rusts where the coating is scratched — touch up chips every spring, or choose aluminum near the coast or a pool.
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Prices as of Sep 28, 2026, 4:40 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
🛠️ How This Calculator Works
Multiplies the run by a per-foot installed rate for the fence type (materials plus labor, raised for sloped ground), scaled for height — posts and labor grow more slowly than panel height. Walk gates, drive gates and an optional opener are added as their own ranges.
📐 Formula
Run = LF × (material + labor × slope) × height factor · Total = run + gates + opener📝 Example Calculation
100 ft of 4 ft ornamental steel on flat ground, one walk gate: Run: $2,890 – $4,250 ($29 – $43/ft) Gate: $300 – $700 Total ≈ $3,190 – $4,950
💡 Pro Tips from Fence Builders
- Ask whether panels are powder-coated after welding — raw welds under paint are where rust starts.
- Racked (sloping) panels follow gentle grades; stepped panels are for steeper ground and leave gaps to fill.
- Pool barriers need 4 ft minimum height, gaps under 4 in and self-closing, self-latching gates.
- Set posts in concrete below frost depth; a leaning post twists the whole run.
"Wrought iron" usually means ornamental steel
Very little fencing sold today is true wrought iron — hand-worked solid iron bar. What most suppliers and installers call wrought iron is ornamental steel: hollow square tube pickets and rails welded into panels, then galvanized and powder-coated black. It looks the same from the street, costs a fraction as much, and is what the calculator prices by default. Real wrought iron is custom fabrication from a metalworker, priced by the job; the calculator gives a planning range for it so you can see the gap.
Installed cost for 100 ft, flat ground, one walk gate
| Type | 3 ft | 4 ft | 6 ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ornamental steel | $2,860 – $4,470 | $3,190 – $4,950 | $3,840 – $5,910 |
| Ornamental aluminum | $3,520 – $5,460 | $3,920 – $6,050 | $4,720 – $7,230 |
| True wrought iron | $6,210 – $9,600 | $6,910 – $10,630 | $8,300 – $12,680 |
Planning ranges from the calculator above, not quotes. Custom scrollwork, finials, masonry piers and brick columns are priced on top.
Steel, wrought iron or aluminum?
- Ornamental steel is strong, rigid and the best value for security and curb appeal, but it rusts wherever the coating is chipped.
- Aluminum costs a little more, weighs less, never rusts and is the default around pools and near salt air. It flexes more than steel. Price it in detail with the aluminum fence calculator.
- True wrought iron is for restoration and period homes, or when you want a one-off design that lasts generations with regular painting.
Gates are a big part of the bill
A metal walk gate is typically $300–$700 in steel and more in wrought iron; a double driveway gate runs into the thousands, and an automatic opener with safety sensors adds $1,500–$3,500 installed plus a power supply. Gate posts must be heavier and set deeper than line posts, because a swinging gate levers them. See the gate calculator for hardware, and the pool fence calculator if the fence is a pool barrier.
Keeping it looking new
Wash the fence once a year, look for chips and rust at the base of posts and around welds, sand those back to bright metal, prime with a rust-inhibiting primer and touch up with matching paint. Keep sprinklers from hitting it and soil from piling against the bottom rail. Compare the long-run cost with other materials in the fence comparison tool, or see the vinyl vs aluminum comparison.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a wrought iron fence cost per foot?
Ornamental steel — what most people mean by wrought iron — costs roughly $29–$43 per linear foot installed at 4 ft tall on flat ground. True solid-bar wrought iron is custom fabrication at about $62–$91 per foot. Taller fences, slopes and gates add to that.
How much does 100 feet of wrought iron fence cost?
About $3,200–$5,000 for 100 ft of 4 ft ornamental steel with one walk gate, and roughly $6,900–$10,600 in true wrought iron. A driveway gate adds $1,200–$6,000 depending on material, plus $1,500–$3,500 for an automatic opener.
Is wrought iron more expensive than aluminum?
Ornamental steel is usually a little cheaper than aluminum per foot; true wrought iron costs far more. Aluminum never rusts, so it is the better choice by pools and the coast; steel is stronger and more rigid for security.
How long does a wrought iron fence last?
Decades — 20 years or more for powder-coated steel that is kept touched up, and far longer for true wrought iron that is painted regularly. Rust at scratches and post bases is the thing to watch.
Does a wrought iron fence add value?
It reads as a premium, low-maintenance boundary, especially in front yards, but it gives no privacy. For a backyard you want to screen, pair it with planting or choose a solid fence.
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