AnyFence fence type
Metal fences are a smart choice for those seeking a blend of durability, security, and style. They require minimal maintenance and can be customized to suit a variety of preferences, making them a versatile option for any property.
Metal does not rot, warp, or ask for stain. Ornamental aluminum and steel panels buy open sightlines and decades of service, while wire and chain link are fabricated to contain a yard or a working site.
Let's Get Started On Your Fence Project...
The material read
New England is hard on fences in three ways, and metal answers each differently. Frost heave lifts shallow posts, so every metal post here goes into a footing below four feet. Coastal salt air pits bare steel within a few seasons and leaves aluminum untouched. Wet snow slides through open pickets instead of pushing on a solid wall.
Metal fencing includes chain link and custom ornamental iron. It never rots or warps, it lets snow pass through open pickets, and posts set below the frost line hold their line for decades. Start here to find which metal fits the job.
The decision guide
See where metal fits your property, your budget, and the upkeep you want.
Styles and options
Compare each option by its look, purpose, and upkeep.
Aluminum FencesThe rust-proof ornamental fence. Aluminum panels rack to follow a sloped yard, arrive powder-coated in black or bronze, and meet Massachusetts pool barrier code at 4 ft with self-closing hardware. Runs $28 to $134 per foot installed.
Steel FencesOrnamental steel buys the strength aluminum cannot: welded panels, heavier wall, and gates wide enough for a driveway. It needs galvanizing under the powder coat to survive road salt. Installed at $23 to $99 per foot.
Wrought Iron FencesAn ornamental option, and the only metal that suits a historic Massachusetts streetscape without apology. Forged iron or heavy welded steel, a repaint cycle every few years, and $33 to $134 per foot installed.
Chain-Link FencesThe budget and utility anchor of the metal family, and our most-installed metal fence at 29 projects. Galvanized or black vinyl-coated mesh, 4 to 8 ft, gates to match, from $11.50 to $48 per foot installed.Estimated cost
$1.20–$134
Per linear foot installed
Estimated installed range for planning across wire and ornamental metal fencing. Material, height, finish and site conditions affect the quote.
Site planning
Dimensions, posts, local rules, and site conditions shape the plan for your fence.
Final details depend on the property and local requirements.
Final details depend on the property and local requirements.
Final details depend on the property and local requirements.
Final details depend on the property and local requirements.
FAQ
Use $1.20 to $134 per installed linear foot as a planning estimate. Material, height, finish and site conditions affect the quote. Request a written quote for your fence and site.
Wrought iron, by a wide margin, if it is repainted on schedule. Fifty to a hundred years is normal for forged work. Powder-coated aluminum and galvanized steel both run thirty to fifty years with almost no attention. Galvanized chain link is the short end at fifteen to twenty-five years.
Aluminum does not rust at all, which is why it dominates coastal and poolside work here. Steel and iron rust wherever the coating is broken, and plow-thrown road salt finds those spots fast. Hot-dip galvanizing under powder coat is the defense worth specifying.
Ornamental panels are open by design, and chain link slats provide partial screening. If full screening is the goal, compare wood and vinyl privacy fencing. Any louvered metal design needs its own quote.
Keep comparing
See how cost, upkeep, privacy, and lifespan compare. Set what matters most and the table sorts to it.
You want the yard screened from neighbors, which no open metal picket will ever do
Compare
You want warmth and a traditional New England look rather than a manufactured edge
Compare
You need a solid barrier that also cuts road noise from a busy street
Compare| vinyl privacyVinyl | $15–$70/ft installed | 20–30 yrs | Low | Full | Medium | Medium | Yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| woodWood | $9–$53/ft installed | 15–30 yrs | High | Full | Medium | Medium | Yes | Yes |
| acoustic fencingAny material | Request an estimate | 20–35 yrs | Low | Full | Medium | Medium | Yes | Yes |
| vinyl privacyVinyl | woodWood | acoustic fencingAny material | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $15–$70/ft installed | $9–$53/ft installed | Request an estimate |
| Lifespan | 20–30 yrs | 15–30 yrs | 20–35 yrs |
| Upkeep | Low | High | Low |
| Privacy | Full | Full | Full |
| Security | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Wind | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Pets | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pool code | Yes | Yes | Yes |
