True wrought iron — the material used in historical fencing — hasn't been commercially manufactured at scale since the mid-20th century. What's sold today as "wrought iron" fencing is almost always mild steel, fabricated to look like traditional wrought iron. That's not a drawback — modern mild steel is strong, weldable, and with proper finishing, extremely durable. At Inline, we're straightforward about this: we work with structural steel, we fabricate it in-house, and we finish it to last. Companies still using the term "wrought iron" as a selling point are mostly using it as a style descriptor, not a material specification.

We powder-coat all ornamental iron with a process that starts at bare metal — sandblasted or chemically stripped — followed by a zinc-phosphate primer to stop corrosion from traveling under the finish, then electrostatic powder coat baked to cure. In Seattle's climate, surface prep is everything. A powder-coat finish applied over mill scale or flash rust will fail within a few years regardless of how thick the topcoat is. Done properly, a powder-coated mild steel fence holds its finish for 15-20 years or more with minimal maintenance. We back that with our warranty.

For most residential ornamental iron fences under 6 feet, no permit is required in Seattle. Fences over 6 feet, fences in certain setback zones, and automated vehicle gates often do require permits — and the requirements vary across municipalities. Kent, Bellevue, Renton, Kirkland, and Seattle each have their own codes. Automated gates that connect to a public roadway may also require a right-of-way permit from the city. We know the local requirements and will flag anything that needs a permit before we break ground. Surprises mid-install are avoidable, and we avoid them.

Yes, and it's one of the areas where in-house fabrication matters most. With catalog panels, slope is handled by raking or stepping — cutting down sections or shimming gaps. With custom fabrication, we build each panel to fit the grade exactly. The result is cleaner lines, tighter tolerances, and a fence that looks intentional rather than adapted. We build on sloped lots regularly across the Eastside and South King County.

Flat-top rails with simple bar patterns are the dominant choice for modern Seattle homes — clean lines that complement contemporary architecture without competing with it. Spear finials are common on traditional and craftsman-style homes where the iron is meant to read as a security feature as well as a design element. Decorative scrollwork is requested less often for full fence runs but remains popular for accent sections, driveway gates, and entry features. We don't push any particular style — we build what fits the property.

Ornamental iron is priced by linear foot and varies significantly based on fence height, design complexity, post size and spacing, and gate requirements. A simple flat-top residential fence at standard height runs less than an elaborate design with decorative elements and custom gate work. Automated gate operators add cost depending on the gate type, weight, and the operator specified. We'll give you a line-item written quote that breaks all of it down — no mystery pricing, no estimates that shift when the crew shows up.

Most residential ornamental iron fence installations are completed in 2-5 days, depending on total length, grade complexity, and gate specifications. Custom fabrication happens before the install crew arrives, so the on-site timeline is driven by post setting, panel installation, and gate hardware. Automated gate installations add a day for wiring and programming. You'll get a firm start date and completion estimate in your written quote.

Yes. We've coordinated gate automation with keypads, intercoms, card readers, phone-based access systems, and existing security infrastructure on commercial and residential projects. The gate structure and operator are sized to work with the access control hardware — not the other way around. If you already have a system in place, tell us the make and model and we'll spec the installation to be compatible.

Less than most people expect if it was finished correctly. An annual inspection for chips or scratches in the powder-coat finish — touch those up with a matching paint to prevent rust from starting at the breach — and a check of gate hardware for alignment and lubrication. Beyond that, an occasional wash to remove environmental buildup. If the fence was properly prepped and powder-coated at installation, the finish will hold for well over a decade without major intervention. We'll walk you through a specific maintenance checklist at your final walkthrough.