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Iron Fence Installation in Chicagoland

Photo of an aluminum fence and gate installed by First Fence

Photo of an iron and wood fence designed and installed by First Fence Company

Photo of a custom iron railing - First Fence

Photo of an iron and wood fence and gate designed and installed by First Fence Company

Photo of an ornate iron gate - First Fence

Photo of an iron railing down paver stairs - First Fence

Photo of custom iron fence to compliement a modern house- First Fence

Photo of custom powder coated iron fence and gate- First Fence

Photo of an iron window cover for safety and security- First Fence

Photo of an iron railing footing - First Fence

Photo of a custom powder coated iron railing - First Fence

Photo of a removable custom powder coated iron railing system - First Fence

Photo of a custom iron framed gate - First Fence

Photo of a custom iron framed gate installed by First Fence

Photo of a powder coated iron entry gate

Photo of a custom powder coated iron arbor and gate

Photo of custom powder-coated iron railing atop a second story balcony

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There’s a reason iron remains one of the most distinctive fencing materials ever made. Slender pickets, substantial gates, custom scrollwork and carefully crafted details give an iron fence a presence that few other materials can match. It can complement a historic Chicago greystone, define the entrance to an estate, or add a refined architectural touch to a modern property. More than a barrier, a well-designed iron fence becomes part of the property itself.

Since 1989, First Fence Company has designed, fabricated, and installed wrought iron fences and gates throughout the Chicago area. We’re a family-owned company based in Hillside, and much of our work comes from repeat customers and referrals. If you’ve been searching for iron fence contractors and finding companies that offer aluminum fencing designed to look like iron, you’ve come to the right place. We install those systems too, but when you want the strength, character and one-of-a-kind craftsmanship of genuine wrought iron, we can fabricate it specifically for your property.

Custom Wrought Iron Fence Fabrication in Chicagoland

Most metal fencing arrives on a truck in pre-made sections. The installer sets the panels, adjusts the posts, hangs the gates, and the job is done. Custom iron is different. It’s measured, drawn, fabricated and finished for a specific property, which is why homeowners turn to iron when standard catalog options don’t quite fit.

And that happens more often than you might think. Maybe a gate needs to clear a sloped driveway. A fence line has to step down a terraced side yard. An 80-year-old railing on the front stoop sets a standard the new fence needs to match. Or a commercial entrance calls for a custom panel incorporating the company logo. These aren’t unusual requests at First Fence Company, they’re the kind of details our iron shop handles every day.

The process starts at your property. We take the measurements, talk through what you want the finished fence to look and feel like, and develop a drawing before fabrication begins. That way, you can see the design and understand exactly what we’re building before the first piece of iron is cut.

Custom Iron Fences, Gates & Railings We Build in Chicagoland

Iron can do far more than a traditional fence. Because it can be fabricated to your property and your design, it works equally well for a simple front yard enclosure, a substantial driveway gate, a period-appropriate railing, or a completely custom architectural detail. Here are some of the iron projects First Fence Company builds and installs throughout Chicagoland.

Iron fences: Front-yard fencing, side and rear runs, garden fences, courtyard enclosures and estate perimeters, in traditional picket-and-scroll designs or clean modern profiles with no ornament at all.
Custom iron gates: Walk gates, arched entry gates, double drive gates, and automated driveway gates with operators and keypads. Gates are where iron earns its money, because iron doesn’t sag the way a lighter gate will over a wide opening.
Iron railings: Front steps, stoops, porches, balconies, interior stairs and landings. This is a bigger part of our business than a lot of people realize.
Arbors and arches: An iron arbor over a walk gate, planted with something climbing, is one of the nicer things you can do to a front yard.
Laser-cut and logo panels: Custom cut work for business entrances, community signage, monument walls and clients who want something unique.
Iron and Western Red Cedar combinations: An iron frame with cedar infill, or an iron front-yard fence transitioning to a cedar privacy fence in back. These take some design work and they’re worth it.

Ask us about powder coating for your ironwork. Unlike traditional paint, powder coating creates a durable, baked-on finish that bonds to the metal and helps it stand up to Chicago’s weather year after year. The finish you choose plays a major role in how your iron fence looks, and how well it holds up, through years of sun, snow and winter weather.

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Iron Fencing That Fits Older Chicagoland Properties

Chicagoland has no shortage of properties with ironwork worth preserving. Greystones and brick two-flats still have original stoop railings and courtyard buildings have gates opening onto the sidewalk. In Hinsdale, Elmhurst, Naperville and Riverside, you’ll find homes with fencing and architectural details that have been part of the property for generations.

When new ironwork needs to look like it has always belonged there, custom fabrication makes the difference. We can match an existing railing, reproduce a gate pattern, or design new fencing that complement the details already on your home. Bring us a photo and some basic measurements, and we can work from what’s there rather than forcing your property into a standard design.

We also repair and restore existing ironwork, a service not every fence company offers. Rusted-through pickets, posts that have failed at the base, gates that no longer close properly, and sections damaged by snowplows or vehicles can often be repaired without replacing the entire fence. Because iron can be cut, rebuilt and fabricated piece by piece, damaged sections don’t necessarily mean starting over.

If someone has told you your old iron fence is a total loss, it’s worth getting a second opinion before you tear it out. In many cases, the better option is to restore what you already have.

Iron vs. Ornamental Steel vs. Aluminum Fencing: How They Compare

It’s worth clearing up one point before you start comparing fences; iron, ornamental steel and aluminum are not the same thing, even though the terms are often used interchangeably.

Iron is the heaviest and most customizable of the three. It’s fabricated rather than simply assembled from stock panels, which means we can build it around your property, reproduce existing details and create designs that aren’t available in a catalog. With proper care, it can last for generations. The tradeoff is cost and maintenance; iron is the biggest investment, and its protective coating should be inspected periodically and touched up wherever the finish gets damaged.

Ornamental steel offers a practical middle ground. These are manufactured panel systems made from substantial steel, giving you the strength and security of steel with less upfront cost than fully custom iron fabrication. We offer custom iron fabrication, but for a straightforward perimeter that doesn’t need a custom application or historic details matched, ornamental steel is often the smarter choice.

Aluminum fencing gives you the classic open-fence appearance of iron without the rust and with very little maintenance. It’s also generally the most economical of the three. For many Chicagoland homeowners who start by searching for a wrought iron fence company, aluminum turns out to be the right answer once they compare the look, maintenance, and cost.

We install all three, and we don’t believe the most expensive option is automatically the best one. If aluminum makes more sense for your property, we’ll tell you. If ornamental steel is the better fit, we’ll show you why. And if the project calls for genuine custom iron, we can fabricate that, too.

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Installing Iron Fences for Chicago Winters

There are two regional considerations that matter when installing iron in Chicagoland; the ground beneath it and the salt above it.

Frost: Our heavy clay soil and deep winter freezes can put tremendous pressure on fence posts that aren’t properly set. A shallow footing can heave as the ground freezes and thaws, leaving a fence out of alignment. We set iron fence posts in concrete below the frost line. For stair railings and balcony installations, we can core-drill and grout into masonry and also use surface-mounted plates, depending what your application calls for.
Road salt: A fence or railing near a street or treated sidewalk can spend months exposed to chloride spray. A quality powder-coated finish provides strong protection, but even the best finish benefits from a good spring rinse. If your property is close to a heavily salted road or sidewalk, let us know during the estimate so we can recommend the appropriate finish and protection.

Those details may not be obvious when the fence goes in, but they can make a meaningful difference in how your ironwork performs fifteen or twenty years later.

Iron Fencing for Home & Property Security in Chicagoland

Iron fencing provides a strong physical barrier while keeping the property visible from the street. Unlike a solid privacy fence, it doesn’t give someone who gets over it a place to hide. For homeowners concerned about people cutting through the property, unsecured side yards, or equipment and vehicles stored outdoors, features such as spear-top pickets and a locking pedestrian gate can add a meaningful layer of security without making the home feel like a fortress.

For commercial and industrial properties, we can build heavier-duty systems designed around the security needs of the site, including anti-climb designs, secured perimeters, and iron entrances integrated with access control and automated gates. Keypads, card readers, telephone entry systems, and operators can be incorporated into both swing and slide gates. Driveway gate installation is also a specialty of ours for both residential and commercial properties.

Iron Pool Fencing in Chicagoland

Iron, aluminum, and ornamental steel are all well suited to pool fencing because their open designs preserve sightlines between the pool and the house. That visibility is an important part of a pool enclosure, letting you keep an eye on the water without surrounding it with a solid barrier.

If you’re installing a new pool, the enclosure is typically reviewed as part of the pool permitting process, with requirements for details such as fence height, picket spacing, and self-closing, self-latching gates. Because requirements can vary by municipality and change over time, we build to the rules your village currently enforces and coordinate our installation with your pool contractor’s schedule.

Have an inspection date already set? Tell us when you need the fence ready, and we’ll give you a straightforward answer about whether we can meet the timeline.

Commercial & HOA Iron Fence Installation in Chicagoland

Iron and ornamental steel are a natural fit for commercial properties. They create a strong, permanent-looking perimeter, hold up to demanding use, and can be finished for long-term durability without the need for frequent repainting. As a commercial fence company serving the Chicago area, First Fence Company builds and installs everything from building and campus perimeters to decorative street-facing fencing for offices and retail properties, monument and entrance features, courtyard and amenity enclosures, community pool fencing, and iron gates integrated with access control.

For property managers, HOAs, and ownership groups, we understand that a commercial fencing project involves more than installation. We provide detailed proposals that are easy to take to a board or ownership meeting, carry commercial insurance, and can phase larger projects to work within budget cycles. If an existing iron fence has a few failed sections but the rest is still solid, we’ll price the repair honestly rather than automatically recommending replacement of the entire perimeter.

Iron Fence Permits & Village Code Requirements in Chicagoland

Most Chicagoland municipalities require a permit for a new fence, but the rules vary from one community to the next. Requirements can cover fence height, setbacks, how far a front-yard fence can extend toward the sidewalk, and how open the fence must be in a front or corner yard. Open-picket fencing such as iron, ornamental steel, and aluminum can have an advantage under some front-yard regulations, which is one reason you see so much of it along streets throughout the area.

First Fence Company helps prepare the drawings, plat of survey, and material details your municipality may require as part of the permit application. The property owner submits the application and obtains the permit in their own name.

If you have a plat of survey, bring it to your estimate. It shows property lines, easements, and setbacks and helps us determine where your fence can go. Knowing that upfront helps us design and install the fence correctly from the beginning.

First Fence Company Team Members

Get a Free Estimate on Iron Fencing in Chicagoland

A custom iron fence should look like it belongs on your property, not like it came off a truck and was made to fit. First Fence Company has been fabricating and installing fences, gates and railings throughout Chicagoland since 1989. We understand the local codes, the climate, the older homes, and the details that make a custom iron project worth doing right.

Whether you need a new front yard fence, a driveway gate, a pool enclosure, replacement sections for an existing fence, or ironwork designed to match something already on your property, we’ll start with an on-site estimate and a conversation about what you need. We’ll explain your material options, take the necessary measurements, and show you what custom fabrication can do before anything is built.

Call First Fence at 708.547.7555, fill out the form on this page, or get in touch online to schedule a free fence estimate. There’s no cost for the estimate and no pressure to move forward.

Want to see examples before you call? Browse our iron fence and railing gallery to see the custom fences, gates and railings we’ve built for homes and businesses throughout the Chicago area.

Iron Fencing Services Throughout Chicagoland

First Fence Company installs iron fencing for homes, businesses, commercial properties, and communities across Chicagoland. Iron fencing can provide a strong perimeter while adding a traditional, architectural look to your property. Our fencing team serves properties throughout Cook and DuPage counties with installation options suited to different layouts and design requirements.

Find your local service area below to learn more about fencing services available near you:

Iron Fencing FAQs

What’s the difference between wrought iron and ornamental steel?

Wrought iron is fabricated for a specific job, cut, welded and finished to your measurements, which is what makes it customizable and matchable to existing work. Ornamental steel arrives as a manufactured panel system in heavy gauges. Steel costs less and installs faster; iron can be built to a shape or pattern that no panel system offers. We install both and we’ll tell you which fits your project during the estimate.

Does a wrought iron fence rust?

Bare iron will, which is why we don’t leave it bare. A powder-coated finish is baked onto the metal and holds up well against Chicago-area weather and road salt. Plan to look at it every few years and touch-up where it gets nicked by a mower or a plow, and an iron fence will outlast most things on the property.

Can you match my existing iron fence or railing?

Usually, yes, this is one of the main reasons people choose iron. Send us photos and a measurement of what you have, and we can fabricate a matching section, a new gate for an existing run, or replacement pickets in the same pattern. It’s also how we handle historic properties where the original ironwork needs to stay.

Can a damaged iron fence be repaired instead of replaced?

Often it can. Iron is repairable in a way that panel systems aren’t, a rusted or damaged section can be cut out and rebuilt while the sound sections stay put. We repair posts that have failed at the base, gates that no longer latch or hang square, and sections taken out by vehicles, plows or fallen limbs. We’ll give you a straight answer on repair versus replacement rather than defaulting to the bigger job.

Is iron fencing safe around dogs and small children?

It can be with the right spacing and hardware. Picket spacing is the thing to get right for pets, small dogs will find any gap that exists, and we can tighten the spacing along the bottom of the fence to close off the yard properly. For families with young children, we install self-closing, self-latching gate hardware positioned out of a toddler’s reach. Tell us your dog’s size and habits and your kids’ ages at the estimate.

How much does an iron fence cost compared to aluminum?

Iron is the larger investment of the two, because it’s fabricated rather than assembled and the material is substantially heavier. What you get for it is customization, matchability, and repairability. If your priority is the ornamental look at the lowest cost and least upkeep, aluminum is likely the better value, and we’re happy to quote both so you can compare real numbers for your actual property.

Do I need a permit for an iron fence in Chicagoland?

Almost certainly, most local municipalities require one, and rules on height, setback, and front-yard openness vary by village. First Fence helps prepare the drawings, plat of survey, and material details your village will ask for. The property owner submits the application and obtains the permit in their own name.

Do you install iron railings as well as fences?

Yes. Iron railings for front steps, stoops, porches, balconies, and interior stairs are a significant part of what our iron shop does, including custom designs and powder-coated finishes matched to a new or existing fence.