The Pros and Cons of Ornamental Fencing that You Should Know

It was 50 years ago when Jerith Mfg Co introduced ornamental aluminum fencing in the United States.

Now, the majority of today’s ornamental aluminum fence sold in the U.S is residential.

Aside from aluminum, iron is also a popular choice for ornamental fencing.

It is the classic feel that attracts homeowners and property owners to wrought iron ornamental fencing.

Both ornamental aluminum and iron fencing have their pros and cons.

Although both are chosen to show off the landscaping of homes and commercial properties, offering a prestigious look and increasing the aesthetic appeal overall.

Wood and vinyl have had potential as ornamental fences, too, although these materials are less-often used.

Most of the material in this article is focused on ornamental metal fences since they are most commonly used and most preferred by homeowners and business owners for this fencing style.

Related: Tips for the Best Home Fences

What is Ornamental Fencing?

Ornamental fencing are prefabricated from tubular bars instead of being hand forged.

They are used to creating boundaries just like other fence materials and types, but they make a unique visual statement of their own and can be an important focal point in a residential or business outdoor space like a garden, lawn, or yard.

Ornamental fencing is used for privacy, security, creating zones throughout a landscape, bordering a walkway, defining a steep slope or drop-off, or for pure decoration.

Its purpose helps determine which design is best for your home or property.
They are sold by most companies with matching gates and mounting hardware.

The types of material used for ornamental fencing:

Iron

Steel

Aluminum

Wood

Vinyl

Pros of Ornamental Metal Fencing

Decorative aluminum fencing does not rust making it a popular choice in coastal areas and other harsh environments.

Decorative metal fences are durable and maintenance-free. Ornamental fencing made of iron, steel, and aluminum becomes high quality when they are painted with a factory-applied polyester powder coating. This special coating makes them resistant to rust, corrosion, and manufacturer defects.

The better quality and more expensive ornamental metal fence can be coated several times with high-quality, rust-resistant paint.

Aluminum ornamental fences are made with powder coating cured under heat to form a strong smooth surface.
This process gives this material its ability to withstand harsh conditions including extreme heat and cold and leads many manufacturers and brands to offer very long or even ‘lifetime’ warranties.

Ornamental aluminum and iron fences are earth-friendly and sport environmentally friendly finishes

Aluminum is 100% recyclable and can be recycled repeatedly without breaking down. Aluminum itself contains 70% recycled scrap. Many manufacturers are green certified to that effect.

Ornamental metal fences come in a wide variety of styles and colors to complement all types of residential or commercial architecture, from contemporary and sleekly modern to time-tested traditional and classic style. You can also opt for an ornate Victorian with scrolls and intricate metalwork.

You can have a customized or personalized decorative metal fence by adding:

Rails

Rings

Scrolls

Finials

pickets(arching, twisted or swooping)

Provide safety and security to your home and business establishment. To increase the strength of the fence, especially for commercial or industrial applications, you can use larger and taller pickets with thicker walls.

To enhance the security of your ornamental fence, you can add an unobtrusive mesh behind the pickets for further enclosure and privacy and add locks to the gates. Moreover, ornamental driveway gates that are made with metal can be installed with a panic bar on the inside of the fence to increase security.

Availability. You can buy prefabricated ornamental fences from fence suppliers and from large home and garden stores, and install them in a DIY manner. You can also browse for a selection of ornamental metal fence panels.

Easy installation, especially for prefabricated ornamental fencing panels because they fit into pre-manufactured posts with pre-drilled holes making the installation process a breeze.

Require very little maintenance as long as the fence was securely and properly installed and is of good quality which means it was treated or painted to make it weather the elements and resistant to rust.

Decorative metal fence gates require checking regularly, maybe every year just to ensure its integrity and to fix parts that have come loose over time.

Cons of Ornamental Metal Fencing

Do not provide as much privacy as other fencing options since they are naturally installed with an open concept having gaps. People from the other side of the fence can potentially see into your property.

They will cost more upfront compared to other fencing materials. An installation that requires more elbow grease can also be more expensive. The following prices are general estimates to the cost of ornamental fencing:

Wrought iron and steel: $30 to $50 per linear foot installed, but may go as high as $100 to $300 or more per linear foot

Aluminum ornamental fence: $15 to $40 per linear foot, but the high-end cost could reach $100 per linear foot or more

Wood ornamental fence: $10 to $20 per linear foot installed

Vinyl ornamental fence: $20 to $30 per linear foot

If you installed your ornamental metal fence in panels and a portion gets damaged over time or because of an accident, the entire panel has to be replaced.

Add Value to Your Home and Business Property with Ornamental Fencing

The intricate designs of ornamental fencing create a focal point of your space while blending with the overall architecture of your structure and landscape design.

They were discovered so you can install them to define your property with flair while securing your borders.

Better yet, cast iron, polyvinyl, and wooden fences can often bring an ROI of 50% or more when the home is sold. Solid fences tend to be more aesthetically pleasing than other fencing materials.

In conclusion, installing the right kind of ornamental fence that matches the style and design of your property can definitely increase your residential or business property’s aesthetic appeal and resale value.