Wrought Iron Fence Cost in 2026: Per-Foot Prices & What Drives Them
Updated July 2026
Wrought iron fencing costs about $40 to $82 per linear foot installed in 2026, making it the most expensive common fencing material. A 150-foot run typically lands between $6,000 and $12,300 before gates. Modern 'wrought iron' quotes usually mean welded ornamental steel — true hand-forged iron costs considerably more. Here's the full picture.
Wrought iron fence cost per foot
Installed ornamental iron runs $40–$82 per linear foot: plain flat-top panels sit at the low end, while decorative finials, rings, and scrollwork climb toward the top. Height matters — a 5- or 6-foot fence uses substantially more steel than a 4-foot one and prices accordingly.
Most of what's sold as wrought iron today is prefabricated welded steel panel — strong, uniform, and paintable. True hand-forged wrought iron is custom blacksmith work at $100–$300+ per foot and mostly appears on restorations and high-end estates.
To see what an iron-style fence costs on your actual property line, the fence cost calculator prices your drawn fence instantly.
How much does a wrought iron gate cost?
Walk gates in ornamental iron run roughly $400–$1,200 installed depending on width, height, and ornament; driveway doubles run $1,000–$3,500+, and automated driveway gates far beyond that once you add operators and electrical.
Gates are where iron quotes surprise people — on a short decorative front-yard run, a single ornate gate can cost as much as the rest of the fence.
Wrought iron vs. aluminum: the comparison that saves money
Aluminum ornamental fencing delivers the same look for $28–$55 per foot, never rusts, and weighs a fraction as much — which is why most 'iron-look' residential projects actually install aluminum. Choose steel/iron when you need its rigidity and security; choose aluminum for coastal air, pool enclosures, and lower maintenance.
Iron's ongoing cost is real: expect to sand and repaint every 3–5 years in humid climates, or rust will find every chip in the powder coat.
What drives an iron fence quote up
Ornament level (finials, rings, scroll inserts), height, custom colors, masonry — iron between brick columns is a different budget class — and terrain: stepped panels on slopes add fabrication and labor. Demolition of an old fence adds $3–$5 per foot.
Regional labor moves the band 10–20% either way. For localized numbers in the Carolinas, our city pricing pages model installed rates by material and height, and the full installation-cost guide compares every material.
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How much does 100 feet of wrought iron fence cost?
About $4,000–$8,200 installed at 2026 rates for welded ornamental steel, before gates. True hand-forged iron costs several times that.
Is wrought iron cheaper than aluminum?
No — aluminum ornamental fencing ($28–$55/ft) is meaningfully cheaper than steel/iron ($40–$82/ft) and needs far less maintenance, which is why most residential 'iron-look' fences are aluminum.
Why is wrought iron fencing so expensive?
Material weight, welding and fabrication, heavier posts and footings, and painting/finishing. Ornamentation multiplies fabrication time, and gates require serious hardware to carry the weight.
How long does a wrought iron fence last?
50+ years when maintained — it's usually the last fence a property ever needs. The catch is maintenance: repainting every 3–5 years to keep rust out, especially in humid or coastal climates.