Big Easy Iron Works provides professional welding services throughout New Orleans and the surrounding parishes, from routine wrought iron gate repairs in the French Quarter to structural steel fabrication for commercial construction sites along the Mississippi River corridor. Our AWS-qualified welders bring precision, code-compliance, and decades of combined experience to every job, whether it is a small ornamental repair on a historic Uptown home or a large-scale marine dock weld at the Port of New Orleans.
New Orleans presents unique welding challenges that out-of-town contractors often underestimate. The coastal salt air accelerates corrosion on iron and steel. The high humidity creates condensation that contaminates weld pools if not managed correctly. Historic preservation rules enforced by the Historic District Landmarks Commission add another layer of complexity for any ironwork in the French Quarter, Marigny, or Tremé. We have worked in this environment for years, and our welders know how to get clean, lasting results that hold up in southeast Louisiana’s demanding climate.
Whether you need mobile welding on-site, emergency repairs after storm damage, marine welding support at a local port facility, or a fully custom fabricated piece for a new build, our team is equipped and ready. Call us at 504-732-0066 to discuss your project.
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Different metals and applications call for different welding processes. Our welders are trained and experienced in all major welding methods, allowing us to match the right technique to your specific material, thickness, and environment. We do not use a one-size-fits-all approach. Every project gets evaluated for the correct process so you get the strongest, cleanest weld possible.
MIG welding is one of the most versatile processes we use. A continuous wire electrode feeds through the welding gun while shielding gas protects the molten weld pool from contamination. MIG produces clean, fast welds on mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. It is our go-to process for most structural fabrication, fence panel work, gate construction, and general ironwork repairs where speed and consistency matter. MIG welding is also ideal for thin to mid-gauge sheet metal, making it common in HVAC enclosures, equipment housings, and architectural panels.
TIG welding delivers the highest quality, most precise welds of any process. A non-consumable tungsten electrode creates the arc while the welder hand-feeds filler rod into the weld pool. The result is a narrow, clean bead with minimal spatter and excellent cosmetic appearance. We use TIG primarily on stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and thin ornamental ironwork where visual quality matters as much as strength. For historic French Quarter restoration projects where the weld must be ground and finished to blend with surrounding cast iron or wrought iron, TIG is usually the right choice.
Stick welding is the workhorse of field and outdoor welding. It requires no shielding gas cylinder, making it highly portable and wind-tolerant. Our mobile welding crews rely on stick welding for outdoor structural repairs, pipeline work, heavy steel fabrication, and any job where portability and reliability in less-than-ideal conditions are the priority. Stick welding is also excellent for joining thicker steel sections on docks, bridges, and industrial equipment where deep penetration is needed.
Flux-core welding combines the speed of MIG with the outdoor capability of stick. The tubular electrode contains its own flux, so it can be used without external shielding gas in windy conditions, making it a reliable option for structural steel erection, heavy plate work, and fabrication in exposed locations. We use flux-core for many of our larger commercial and industrial projects where high deposition rates and outdoor tolerances are both required.
Oxy-acetylene uses a flame produced by burning acetylene in oxygen to both weld and cut metal. While modern arc processes have largely replaced it for production welding, oxy-acetylene remains valuable for brazing, bronze welding of cast iron, and cutting in locations where electrical power is unavailable. We use it for historic cast iron repairs where the goal is a lower-heat repair that minimizes the risk of cracking brittle antique castings, and for cutting tasks that benefit from a portable, gas-only setup.
Wrought iron is the defining material of New Orleans architecture. The lacy galleries of the French Quarter, the fence-lines of Garden District mansions, the balcony railings of Faubourg Marigny double-shotguns, all of it represents generations of ironwork that must be maintained, repaired, and sometimes restored piece by piece. Our team specializes in this work and understands both the metallurgical properties of wrought iron and the historic preservation standards that govern what can and cannot be done on landmark properties.
Wrought iron is not the same as mild steel or cast iron. It is a fibrous, slag-laced material with very low carbon content. It welds differently, behaves differently under heat, and responds differently to coatings. Using the wrong process or filler material on wrought iron creates a weak, brittle repair that fails quickly. Our welders use the correct low-hydrogen procedures and compatible filler materials to produce repairs that hold for decades.
The cast iron galleries of the Vieux Carré are iconic but vulnerable. Over a century of weather, vibration, and deferred maintenance leaves many of them with cracked brackets, broken pickets, split railings, and failing connection points at the building wall. We perform careful welding repairs on these elements, working with HDLC-compliant methods that preserve the original appearance. Where original castings are too damaged to repair, we fabricate replacement sections that match the existing profile as closely as possible.
Properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places or located within a local historic district require welding repairs that meet preservation guidelines. That means matching original profiles, avoiding visible modern welds on exposed surfaces, using period-appropriate finishing, and in some cases working with a preservation specialist or architect. We have experience coordinating with HDLC and with the Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation, and we understand what documentation and approvals may be required before work begins.
These three materials look similar but behave very differently under heat, and the wrong assumption can ruin a repair. Cast iron is brittle and prone to cracking if heated or cooled too quickly. It requires pre-heating, slow cooling, and special nickel-based filler rods. Wrought iron is tougher but has slag inclusions that must be accounted for. Mild steel, the material used in most modern fence and gate manufacturing, is the easiest to weld and most forgiving. When we assess your ironwork, we identify the material before recommending a repair approach, because the right diagnosis is the foundation of a repair that actually lasts.
For a full range of ornamental iron restoration and repairs across New Orleans, see our New Orleans Iron Work Repairs service page.
Structural welding joins steel members that carry real loads: building frames, staircase stringers, mezzanine platforms, truss connections, column base plates, and similar elements where failure is not an option. This work is governed by codes including AWS D1.1 (Structural Welding Code for Steel) and must be performed by welders who are qualified to the relevant procedures.
Our structural welding capabilities serve both commercial and residential construction. On the commercial side, we work with general contractors, steel erectors, and fabricators on everything from new building frames to renovation projects adding structural steel to existing masonry construction. On the residential side, we handle structural repairs to older New Orleans homes where wood sill plates have rotted and steel has been introduced as a replacement, as well as custom steel stair fabrication and decorative structural work for home renovations.
New Orleans has an active commercial construction market, and structural steel is central to most of it. We provide structural welding for multi-story building frames, warehouse construction, industrial plant modifications, equipment supports, and mezzanine systems. Our welders follow qualified welding procedures, maintain required preheat temperatures for the material grade and thickness, and document their work in accordance with project specifications.
Many older New Orleans buildings have balconies and galleries whose connections to the main structure have corroded or shifted over time. Restoring or replacing these connections requires structural welding skills combined with sensitivity to the historic character of the building. We assess the existing connection, design or specify a replacement, and execute the weld with attention to both strength and appearance.
Code-compliant stairs and handrails require welding that meets both structural and dimensional standards. We fabricate and install steel staircases, handrail systems, and guardrails for commercial occupancies, multi-family buildings, and residential applications. All work meets IBC and ADA requirements where applicable.
The Mississippi River crossings, drainage infrastructure, and elevated roadways in the New Orleans region all require ongoing maintenance welding. We support infrastructure maintenance projects as a subcontractor, performing field welding on bridge components, culvert repairs, and related public works applications.
Not every welding job can come to a shop. Heavy equipment, large fabrications, in-place structural elements, and emergency repairs all require the welder to come to the work. Our mobile welding fleet is equipped with self-contained power, a full complement of welding processes, and the consumables needed to handle most jobs on the first trip.
We run mobile welding calls throughout Orleans Parish, Jefferson Parish, St. Tammany Parish, St. Bernard Parish, and Plaquemines Parish. Our mobile service area includes the city of New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, Gretna, Harvey, Chalmette, Slidell, Mandeville, and Covington. For large commercial clients with ongoing needs, we can arrange regular site visits on a scheduled basis.
Manufacturing plants, warehouses, processing facilities, and commercial properties often need welding done on equipment, racks, structural supports, or architectural elements that cannot practically be moved. Our mobile welders arrive with everything needed to complete the work in place, including generator power if no site power is available. We work around your operations schedule to minimize downtime.
Storm damage, equipment failures, vehicle impacts, and security breaches all create situations where welding repairs need to happen fast. A broken gate that cannot secure a property, a structural connection that has failed and poses a safety hazard, a dock cleat that has pulled loose, these are situations where waiting a week for a shop appointment is not an option. We offer emergency mobile welding response and will work to get a crew to your location as quickly as possible. Call 504-732-0066 for urgent welding needs.
Homeowners often discover ironwork problems that need immediate attention: a gate hinge that has cracked, a fence section that has pulled away from a post, a decorative element that has rusted through and broken. Our mobile welders handle residential calls throughout the metro area, arriving with the tools to make a lasting repair rather than a temporary fix.
New Orleans is one of the busiest port cities in the United States. The Port of New Orleans, the Port of South Louisiana, and the surrounding waterways support a massive industrial base including offshore oil and gas support, bulk commodity shipping, barge operations, and shipbuilding. All of this activity generates constant demand for skilled marine welding.
Marine welding requires specific expertise beyond standard structural welding. Materials must withstand constant exposure to saltwater and brackish water, diesel exhaust, mechanical vibration, and the cyclical loading of tide and vessel movement. Weld quality standards for vessels and dock structures are enforced by classification societies like the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and by U.S. Coast Guard regulations for certain vessel types.
Dock structures suffer severe corrosion from tidal cycling and saltwater exposure. Steel piles, wales, fendering systems, and deck framing all require periodic welding repairs to remain serviceable. We perform dock repair welding for private marinas, commercial waterfront facilities, and industrial port users. This includes underwater-adjacent welding on tidal sections and repairs to dock hardware including cleats, bollards, ladders, and utility penetrations.
Barges working the inland waterway system sustain structural damage from groundings, collisions, and normal wear over time. Hull plating repairs, internal framing, deck reinforcement, and hatch coaming repairs all require certified welding to meet classification and USCG requirements. We work with barge operators and boat owners to perform structural repairs, with documentation available for regulatory compliance as needed.
The offshore oil and gas industry based in the New Orleans area generates significant demand for welding on supply vessels, dock equipment, lifting gear, pipe supports, and structural repairs to offshore support facilities. We serve this sector with both shop fabrication and mobile field welding, working within the safety and quality frameworks that offshore clients require.
In the salt air environment of coastal Louisiana, galvanic corrosion is a constant threat wherever dissimilar metals are in contact. Aluminum dock hardware in contact with steel fasteners, stainless fittings in contact with mild steel structure, bronze through-hulls in steel plates: all of these create electrochemical cells that accelerate corrosion at the contact point. Our welders understand galvanic corrosion, specify compatible filler metals, and recommend appropriate isolation and coating strategies to slow the process after the weld is complete.
Welding and fabrication are inseparable. A custom piece starts as raw metal stock and becomes a finished product through a combination of cutting, forming, fitting, and welding. Our shop handles the full fabrication sequence, from initial layout through final finishing, so you do not need to coordinate multiple vendors for a single project.
We work with mild carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, wrought iron, copper, and bronze. Our fabrication capabilities include plasma and oxy-acetylene cutting, angle grinding, press brake forming on sheet and plate, drilling and tapping, and surface finishing through grinding, sanding, wire brushing, and priming. For decorative pieces, we can also coordinate powder coating or painting through our network of finishing partners.
Custom fabrication projects we regularly handle include: ornamental stair railings with custom scroll and picket designs, restaurant and bar front entry features, commercial lobby and reception metalwork, custom residential gates to match specific architectural styles, industrial equipment frames and supports, custom brackets and mounting hardware, and replacement ornamental elements for historic properties where the original has been lost or is beyond repair.
For more on our full fabrication capabilities, see our New Orleans Metal Fabrication page.
Gates and fences take constant mechanical stress from opening and closing cycles, wind loading, and the occasional impact from vehicles or heavy objects. Even well-made ironwork eventually develops cracks at stress concentration points, hinge failures, latch malfunctions, and corrosion-related breaks. Welding repairs are almost always the most cost-effective solution compared to full replacement, provided the underlying structure is still sound.
Common gate and fence welding repairs we perform throughout New Orleans include: cracked or broken hinge plates and hinge barrels, split vertical pickets at the rail joint, failed welds at drive gate frame corners, broken drop rod guides and ground socket assemblies, bent or broken decorative finials and scrolls, cracked or separated fence post cap welds, and rusted-through base sections on posts and rails where partial replacement and re-welding is needed.
For driveway gates specifically, we also handle structural reinforcement when a gate has grown too heavy for its original design, reinforcing frame members, adding diagonal bracing, and re-welding connection points that have fatigued over time. If your gate is sagging, dragging, or not closing properly, a structural weld repair is often the right first step before adjusting or replacing the hardware.
Our gate and fence welding work covers ornamental iron, mild steel tubing, aluminum, and chain link framework. To see our gate installation and design services, visit our New Orleans Gates page.
New Orleans has more buildings on the National Register of Historic Places than almost any other American city. The Historic District Landmarks Commission regulates exterior changes to properties in its designated historic districts, including all ironwork repairs and replacements that are visible from a public way. Working on these properties without proper approvals can result in stop-work orders and required removal of completed work, which is why hiring a contractor who understands the process matters.
We have performed welding and ironwork restoration on properties throughout the French Quarter, Tremé, Marigny, Bywater, the Garden District, and Uptown. Our experience with HDLC projects gives us a working understanding of what types of repairs qualify as ordinary maintenance (and therefore do not require HDLC review) versus what changes require a Certificate of Appropriateness before work begins.
In most cases, welding repairs that restore ironwork to its original appearance using the same materials and profiles are considered ordinary maintenance and do not require HDLC approval. This includes welding a cracked picket back together, re-welding a broken hinge, patching a rusted-through section with matching profile stock, or reattaching a decorative element that has come loose. The key is that the repair must be in-kind: same material, same dimensions, same appearance.
Any change to the appearance of ironwork that is visible from the street typically requires HDLC review and a Certificate of Appropriateness. This includes replacing wrought iron with mild steel (even if the profile matches), adding new ironwork features that were not previously there, changing the design or profile of existing elements, and painting ironwork a different color. We work with property owners to identify what approvals are needed before we begin work, and we can advise on documentation requirements.
Sourcing material that matches antique ironwork profiles can be challenging. Nineteenth-century wrought iron had different cross-sections and surface textures than modern mild steel. Our network of suppliers includes specialty metal distributors who carry reproduction profiles and period-style castings that can serve as the basis for historic-quality repairs. Where an exact match is not available off the shelf, we can fabricate custom sections using traditional techniques.
A weld you cannot see is only as good as the process used to produce it. Our commitment to quality starts with welder qualification and carries through to post-weld inspection and finishing.
The American Welding Society (AWS) sets the professional and technical standards for welding in the United States. AWS D1.1 governs structural welding in steel. AWS D1.2 governs aluminum. AWS D1.6 covers stainless steel. Our welders are qualified to the applicable AWS codes for the work they perform, meaning their technique has been tested and documented to produce welds that meet established quality standards for the materials and positions involved.
Welder qualification is not a one-time event. AWS requires periodic re-qualification and documentation of work continuity to maintain active certification. We track our welders’ qualifications and ensure they remain current for the work types they are assigned to.
Before striking an arc, our welders assess the base metal, identify the material type, check for contamination, and determine the correct preheat requirement. Preheating is especially important for cast iron, higher-carbon steels, and thick sections of mild steel, all of which can crack if welded cold. Skipping this step is a common cause of repair failures, and it is a step we never skip.
A weld is only as strong as its preparation. Proper joint design, clean base metal free of rust, paint, oil, and moisture, and tight consistent fit-up are prerequisites for a quality weld. We take the time to prepare joints correctly, grinding, cleaning, and fitting pieces before welding begins. On structural work, we verify dimensions and alignment before final welding to avoid distortion problems.
After welding, we inspect completed welds visually for cracks, porosity, undercut, and incomplete fusion. On structural work, we can arrange for non-destructive testing including dye penetrant inspection when required by project specifications. Cosmetically, we grind, dress, and finish welds to the level of quality the application requires, from a flush-ground ornamental repair that will be invisible after painting to a structural weld that is cleaned but left with its natural bead profile.
In New Orleans’ coastal environment, a bare weld will begin to rust almost immediately. After every welding repair on exterior ironwork, we apply a rust-inhibiting primer before leaving the site. For long-term protection, we recommend a full paint system appropriate to the metal type and exposure: a zinc-rich primer for structural steel, an alkyd-based primer and finish coat for ornamental iron, or a marine-grade epoxy system for anything in or near the water. We can advise on the best coating system for your specific application.
Big Easy Iron Works provides welding services throughout the Greater New Orleans metropolitan area and surrounding region. Our service area includes:
For large projects or marine welding work along the Mississippi River, we also serve industrial clients in the River Parish corridor from New Orleans to Baton Rouge. Contact us to confirm coverage for your specific location.
Welding costs in New Orleans vary based on the type of work, materials involved, location, and time required. Simple repair welds on gates or fences typically start at $150 to $300 for a service call and basic repair. Custom fabrication projects are priced by scope, complexity, and material cost. Structural welding for commercial projects is often quoted per linear inch of weld or per hour of labor plus materials. Call us at 504-732-0066 for a free quote on your specific project.
Yes. We maintain a mobile welding fleet that serves all five parishes of the Greater New Orleans area. Our mobile units carry MIG, TIG, and stick welding equipment along with oxy-acetylene cutting gear, so most jobs can be handled on-site without moving any material to our shop. Mobile service is available for both scheduled appointments and emergency calls.
Yes. Cast iron welding requires a specialized approach: pre-heating the casting to reduce thermal shock, using nickel-based filler rods compatible with cast iron, welding in short passes to control heat input, and allowing the piece to cool slowly to prevent cracking. We have experience repairing cast iron gates, railings, columns, and decorative architectural elements throughout New Orleans. This process works well for most cast iron repairs, though severely cracked or structurally compromised castings may be better addressed by replacement or bronze brazing depending on the situation.
MIG welding (GMAW) uses a continuously fed wire electrode and is faster, easier to learn, and well-suited for production and structural work. TIG welding (GTAW) uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode and hand-fed filler rod, producing a more precise, cleaner weld with better cosmetic appearance. TIG is preferred for thin materials, stainless steel, aluminum, and any application where the weld will be visible and aesthetically important. MIG is preferred for speed and for thicker materials in structural applications.
Yes, wrought iron repair is one of our specialties. We repair cracked rails, broken pickets, failed hinge welds, split joints, and rusted-through sections on wrought iron gates and fences throughout New Orleans. Wrought iron requires specific welding techniques different from those used for mild steel, and we have the materials and experience to do it correctly. We also match original profiles where possible so repairs blend with the surrounding ironwork.
Yes. We have extensive experience working on properties in the French Quarter, Tremé, Marigny, Garden District, and other historic districts in New Orleans. We understand HDLC requirements and can advise whether your repair project requires a Certificate of Appropriateness or qualifies as ordinary maintenance. Our goal is always to restore ironwork to its original appearance using materials and techniques appropriate to the historic character of the property.
Our welders are qualified to applicable AWS codes for the work they perform. AWS D1.1 for structural steel welding, AWS D1.2 for aluminum, and AWS D1.6 for stainless steel set the qualification standards that govern how welders must demonstrate their technique before performing code-required work. We maintain qualification records and ensure our welders stay current for their assigned work types.
In New Orleans’ coastal salt-air environment, corrosion protection after welding is critical. We apply a rust-inhibiting primer to all exterior welding repairs before leaving the site. For long-term protection, we recommend a complete paint system suited to the material and exposure level. Options include zinc-rich primers for structural steel, traditional alkyd primer and finish for ornamental iron, and marine-grade epoxy and topcoat systems for anything near saltwater. We can advise on the right coating system for your application and apply it or prepare the surface for a painter to finish.
Yes. We provide structural welding services for commercial construction projects in New Orleans, including new building frames, mezzanines, equipment supports, stair fabrication, and renovations adding structural steel to existing buildings. Our welders work to AWS D1.1 and follow qualified welding procedures. We coordinate with general contractors, structural engineers, and inspectors as required by the project.
Yes. Aluminum welding requires TIG or MIG process with aluminum-specific filler wire and, for TIG, AC current to break up the aluminum oxide layer on the surface. We weld aluminum for marine applications, architectural panels, custom fabrication, and equipment components. Aluminum is common in marine environments because of its corrosion resistance, and we weld it regularly for dock hardware, boat components, and waterfront structures.
Yes. We serve commercial marine clients, barge operators, vessel owners, and port facility operators throughout the New Orleans area. Our marine welding work includes dock and pier structural repairs, barge hull and framing repairs, vessel hardware fabrication, and structural welding on waterfront industrial facilities. We are familiar with the documentation and quality requirements of marine welding work and can coordinate with ABS or other classification requirements when applicable.
The general rule is: if the underlying structure is still sound and the damaged section is isolated, welding repair is almost always more cost-effective than full replacement. A cracked rail, broken picket, failed hinge, or rusted-through section can usually be repaired by cutting out the damaged portion, fitting and welding in new matching material, and refinishing. Full replacement becomes the better choice when corrosion has spread throughout the structure, when the gate or fence is significantly undersized for its current use, or when the design no longer meets the property’s needs regardless of condition. We always give you an honest assessment of both options before recommending one.
We serve Orleans Parish, Jefferson Parish, St. Bernard Parish, St. Tammany Parish, and Plaquemines Parish. This covers the full Greater New Orleans metropolitan area including the City of New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, Gretna, Harvey, Chalmette, Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Belle Chasse, and surrounding communities. For large commercial or marine projects, we also serve clients in the River Parish corridor.
Ready to discuss your welding project? Contact Big Easy Iron Works at 504-732-0066 for a free estimate. We serve all of Greater New Orleans and the surrounding parishes with professional welding services for residential, commercial, industrial, and marine applications.
“Great job on the iron gates! I can’t believe they finished installing the iron gate and repairing our fence. A lot of my neighbors recommended Big Easy Iron Works and I can see why they trust them so much. Very professional workers came and the owner checked up from time to time. Great experience.”
– Vanessa Johnson“You have my respect for Big Easy Iron Works! Thank you for staying true to your word about quality service. They helped install our new iron fence and it exceeded my expectations to be honest. They explained everything they would be doing every day of the job. I really recommend them for those living in New Orleans. Hire them for your fencing needs.”
– Billy Anderson“I contacted Big Easy Iron Works because most of my neighbors recommended them to me. I am satisfied with the time that they took to finish the work repairs with my wood fence. The fences they placed turned out nice and they looked like they would last longer. I would also recommend them to my friends in New Orleans.”
– Shirley Oaks
625 Celeste St Suite 504-E,