Materials · Ornamental Metal
Ornamental Steel & Aluminum
Black picket fencing that marks the line and keeps out wandering dogs while leaving the lake, fairway, or garden in view.
- Free written estimatesItemized, no obligation
- Fully insuredLiability & workers’ comp
- 18-month warrantyOn our workmanship
- FinancingThrough Hearth
- As seen on HGTVThe 76 Fence family
The look
Open pickets, solid boundary
Ornamental fencing uses slim vertical pickets welded between two or three horizontal rails. People still call it wrought iron, but what goes in today is powder-coated aluminum or steel.
Because you can see through it, it is the usual answer when the view is part of what you paid for: a cove on Lake Conroe, a golf hole, a pool, or a front garden. It still keeps kids and pets in, slows down anyone who doesn’t belong, and gives the property a finished edge.
Tops can be flat, spear-pointed, or finished with ball or quad finials. Black is the most common color, with bronze and other powder-coat colors available.
Pros & trade-offs
What ornamental metal gives you, and where it falls short
The upside
- Keeps water, golf, and garden views open.
- Nothing to stain; upkeep is mostly a rinse.
- Won’t warp, split, or rot in humid weather.
- Rides out wind better than a solid fence.
- Common choice for pool barriers.
The trade-offs
- No privacy; neighbors see straight in.
- Near the top of the price range per foot.
- Steel needs scratches touched up to stop rust.
- Small dogs may squeeze through standard spacing.
- Long acreage runs get expensive fast.
Options
Choosing a metal and a grade
Residential aluminum
Light, rust-free panels for yards, pools, and lake lots. Our usual pick anywhere water, splash, or pool chemicals are close by.
Pool enclosuresPowder-coated steel
Heavier pickets and rails that resist bending, used for front frontage, security runs, and large gates. A scratch needs paint so rust can’t start.
Security fencingCommercial grade
Thicker material and wider post spacing for businesses, entries, and properties that see more abuse.
Commercial fencingGates in either metal can be built to match the run and prepped for an automatic opener. See gates & openers.
Local conditions
Humidity, sun, and storm season
Humidity & rust
Aluminum shrugs off damp air. On steel, we look for chips after install and recommend touch-up paint as soon as one shows.
Sun & heat
Factory powder coat stands up to strong sun far better than a brushed-on paint, without blistering.
Soil
Posts go in concrete set for the lot, so panels stay level through wet and dry spells. Texas 811 locates come first.
Storms
Open pickets let gusts pass. After a storm, check for limb damage and clear debris off the rails.
Good fit for
Where it earns its price
- Lakefront and canal lots
- Golf-course frontage
- Pool enclosures
- Front yards and entries
- Drive gates on acreage
- Communities that ask for open fencing
Around Conroe
Water, golf, and greens nearby
Elkins Lake
Huntsville homes on three lakes and a golf course, many on wooded, sloped lots where an open fence keeps the view.
Elkins LakeLake Conroe Hills
Canal-front and lakefront lots on the east shore, some with bulkheads where the fence line has to stop.
Lake Conroe HillsPanorama Village
Lots along a 27-hole golf course in a separate city, with its own city hall handling fence questions.
Panorama VillageQuestions
Ornamental metal questions
Aluminum or steel: which should I pick?
Aluminum can’t rust, so it suits pools, lake lots, and damp shady yards. Powder-coated steel is heavier and stiffer, which helps on drive gates and security runs, but scratches need touch-up paint. We often mix them, with aluminum for the yard and steel for the gate.
Is it really wrought iron?
Almost never these days. The term is used for any black picket fence, but modern ornamental fencing is welded steel or aluminum with a powder-coated finish. It looks the same and costs less to maintain.
Can you build near the water on Lake Conroe?
Yes, with care. Land up to the 201-foot contour around Lake Conroe belongs to the San Jacinto River Authority, and permanent structures there need an SJRA permit. We confirm where your property line falls before setting posts near the shore.
How do ornamental fences do in storms?
Wind passes straight through the pickets, so they carry far less load than a solid fence. The usual storm damage is a limb landing on a panel, and a bent section can be replaced on its own.
Want to keep the view?
Call or text (713) 331-9419 and we’ll measure for an aluminum or steel fence.