How to Install a Wrought Iron Fence for a Stately Perimeter

Level up your property’s sophistication factor

A wrought iron fence between decorative brick columns
Photo: Констянтин Батыльчук / Adobe Stock
A wrought iron fence between decorative brick columns
Photo: Констянтин Батыльчук / Adobe Stock
Tony Carrick
Written by Tony Carrick
Contributing Writer
Updated Dec 6, 2022
SKILL LEVEL
Challenging
COMPLETION TIME
2 days
COST
$1,000+
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
  • Shovel
  • Post hole digger
  • Auger (optional)
  • Tape measure
  • Level
SUPPLIES
  • Wrought Iron fence posts and panels
  • Gravel
  • Quick-setting concrete
  • String
  • Stakes

A wrought iron metal fence not only adds a layer of security to your home, but also creates a stately look that can accentuate its architecture. Today’s wrought iron fences evoke the look of true wrought iron from older homes but are actually made of hollow steel or aluminum tubes. This construction makes them not only more weather-resistant than true iron fencing but also much easier to install since they are lighter and come in pre-assembled kits. If you don’t mind the physical demands that come with digging holes and mixing and pouring cement, installing ornamental wrought iron fencing is a doable, though challenging, DIY project. Find out how you can save money on a fence installation by learning how to install a wrought iron fence on your own.

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Prepping to Build a Wrought Iron Fence

Before you put your time, money, and effort into building a wrought iron fence, it’s crucial to take a few steps to prepare for this project to save yourself money and grief later on. 

  • Check your building codes: First, find out if a wrought iron fence is allowed in your neighborhood and whether there are rules stipulating height. If you have a homeowner’s association (HOA), you may need to submit your plans and get permission prior to breaking ground. Don’t skip this step, or you could find yourself ripping out an expensive fence.

  • Know your property lines: Make sure you aren’t building your fence on your neighbor’s property. Find your property line by locating metal pins that identify the perimeter, reviewing the neighborhood’s plots, or hiring a professional surveyor in your area. Whatever you do—don’t simply guess the boundaries. Even if you and your neighbor agree on where the property line is, if you’re wrong, it could create major issues when one of you moves or has a falling out (hey, it happens!).

  • Take accurate measurements: Once you’ve gotten permission from your HOA and identified your property line, plan the dimensions of the fence and take measurements. Accurate measurements will allow you to buy the right amount of materials for the job, reducing waste and preventing repeated trips back to the home improvement store for more supplies. 

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  1. Stake Out the Fence Location

    You’ll need two people for this step. Begin by using a hammer to drive in a stake at each corner of the fence or any location where the fence changes direction. 

    Have someone hold the spool of string at the first stake while you extend the line to the second. 

    Pull the string tight at each stake location by looping it around the stake once, pulling the long end taught, then wrapping it over the shorter end to hold it in place. 

    Mark the location of the post holes by spray painting large Xs along the line at intervals between each post that match the width of the fence panels (usually 8 feet). Make Xs larger than the hole, so you’ll have a visible reference point as you're digging the post holes.

  2. Dig the Post Holes

    Use the post hole digger to dig post holes that are about 6 inches in diameter and 2 feet deep at each post hole location. Then add about 2 inches of gravel to the holes. 

    Mix your quick-set concrete in a wheelbarrow, making sure its consistency is thick enough to hold the post upright while it’s still wet.

  3. Install the Posts

    Close-up of installing a black wrought iron fence
    Photo: Smile Studio AP / Adobe Stock

    Place the fence post in the hole, then add the concrete until it's about 4 inches from the top of the hole. Use a level to ensure the posts are straight and in line with the rest of the posts. Once you’re satisfied the post is plumb and lined up, pack dirt in the top two inches to hold it in place while the cement dries. Repeat this process for each post until all are installed. This can be a timely process, but don’t rush it—taking your time will ensure each post is sturdy and straight.

  4. Wait for the Cement to Cure

    Wrought iron fence panels are heavy, weighing 50 pounds or more. As such, it’s crucial that the cement is fully cured before adding the panels to ensure they can support the weight. With that in mind, it’s best to wait a week before installing the panels. Rushing this job could cause your posts to sag under the weight of the panels if the cement hasn’t had a chance to cure.

  5. Install the Fence Panels

    Since metal fencing comes as a kit, attaching the panels to the posts is a fairly easy process, though you’ll need at least two people to complete the job. Line up each fence panel with the corresponding brackets on the posts. Attach each panel with the included screws, starting with the top bracket before attaching the bottom bracket. Continue this process until all panels are installed.

  6. Hang the Gates

    A decorative black wrought iron fence
    Photo: rostovdriver / Adobe Stock

    Hang the gates per the manufacturer’s instruction using the included hinges and latches. As with the panels, the gates are pre-assembled, so they shouldn’t be difficult to install. You may wish to wait a week before hanging the gates, as wrought iron fences often settle. 

    If you install the gate too early, the settling process could throw off the gate latch’s alignment, forcing you to reinstall your gate latch. Once you’ve set up the gate, your wrought iron fence is all set.

DIY Wrought Iron Fence vs. Hiring a Pro

While installing a wrought iron fence on your own is possible, it certainly isn’t an easy job. This project involves digging numerous holes, mixing cement, and working with fence panels that can weigh 50 pounds or more each. 

That said, there is a lot of sweat equity to be gained by installing this fence yourself. While the job varies depending on location and the size of the fence, the cost to install a wrought iron fence is between $2,300 and $6,000 if you hire a local fencing contractor. But you’ll save money in labor fees if you install the fence yourself. Expect to pay between $25 to $35 per linear foot for real wrought iron panels if you DIY. If you opt for less expensive steel or aluminum tubes, you’ll pay between $7 and $40 per linear foot for the fencing materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

While many fence companies and fence material retailers refer to their metal fencing as wrought iron fencing, most of it is actually ornamental wrought iron fence. This means that the fence is made to look like traditional wrought iron but is actually made out of either steel or aluminum. Old wrought iron fences typically found at estate sales or on older properties are much heavier and much more prone to rust than the ornamental wrought iron that newer homes and fences use.

Wrought iron fencing is the most expensive type of fence. Expect to pay between about $25 to $35 per linear foot for a wrought iron fence panel. The cost of installing a wood fence varies depending on the quality of the wood, but you can expect to pay between $1 and $15 per linear foot for the lumber.

While they can be closer, the maximum distance between fence posts for residential fences is 8 feet. This ensures the panels are adequately supported by the fence posts. This is usually dictated by the width of the panel, which is typically between 5 and 8 feet. While narrower panels will require more posts, they’ll be lighter and easier to work with than wider panels that are the same height.

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Learn more about our contributor
Tony Carrick
Written by Tony Carrick
Contributing Writer
Tony Carrick is a North Carolina-based writer who covers home improvement, technology, outdoor recreation, and travel.

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