At Cypress Railings & Gates, we build both kinds of metal fence, and we sell one of them as a DIY kit. That puts us in an unusual spot when a customer asks, “Should I go with wrought iron or aluminum?”
We don’t have a reason to push you toward one. We custom-fabricate and install wrought iron fences for homes and businesses across the Lower Mainland, and we also carry ready-to-install aluminum fence kits for homeowners who want to build it themselves. So here’s how we actually help people decide, based on more than 20 years of fencing, railing and gate work since 2005.
The Short Version
Wrought iron is the stronger, heavier, fully custom option. It’s the right call when security, a tall fence or an ornamental design matters most, and you’re happy to keep an eye on the finish over the years.
Aluminum is the lighter, rust-free, lower-maintenance option. It costs less up front, installs faster and suits clean, modern designs, including privacy panels.
The rest of this guide explains where each one wins and how we’d approach your project.
“Wrought Iron” Today Usually Means Steel
Real wrought iron, the hand-worked iron you see on very old gates, is almost never made anymore. The ornamental fences we fabricate are made from steel, then finished to give that classic ironwork look.
Steel is the better material for the job. It’s strong, it welds cleanly into custom shapes and it can be protected with galvanizing and powder coating. So the real comparison is steel vs aluminum.
Strength and Security: Where Wrought Iron Wins
Steel is far stronger and stiffer than aluminum. A wrought iron fence is hard to bend, climb or cut, which is why it’s our go-to for commercial buildings, strata properties, storage yards and homes where security is the main goal. We can add narrower picket spacing, reinforced posts, pointed tops and secure gates when a project needs them.
Aluminum is plenty strong for most homes: front yards, backyards, gardens and pet areas. But a heavy hit from a car bumper or a falling branch is more likely to bend an aluminum panel than a steel one.
Rain and Salt Air: Where Aluminum Wins
We work everywhere from Whistler and Squamish to West Vancouver, Bowen Island and Surrey. The North Shore rain and the salt air along the water are tough on outdoor metal, and this is where the two materials really split.
Aluminum doesn’t rust. A powder-coated aluminum fence can go years with nothing more than a rinse. For a waterfront lot or a shady, wet side yard, that’s a big advantage.
Steel can rust if water reaches bare metal. That doesn’t rule out wrought iron in Vancouver, but it means the finish has to be done properly. We finish our steel fences with protective coatings such as galvanizing, powder coating or exterior-grade paint, and we tell every customer the same thing: look the fence over once or twice a year, and touch up any chips or scratches before rust has a chance to start. Our guide to rust-proofing metal in coastal BC covers the same care for other outdoor steel.
Design: What Each One Does Best
Wrought iron is where custom work really shines. Because we fabricate the panels, a steel fence can include scrollwork, twisted pickets, rings, finials, a family monogram or a company logo. It can match your driveway gate, exterior railings and window grilles so all the metalwork on the property feels like one design. It’s the natural fit for heritage-style homes and grand entrances.
Aluminum suits clean, contemporary lines. The aluminum fence kits we carry come in two styles:
- Privacy: tongue-and-groove aluminum boards that fully close the view, in 8′ wide sections.
- Semi-privacy: the same boards with open spacing, for a lighter look that still screens the yard.
There’s also a matching aluminum gate with a door stopper, so the whole run looks consistent. If privacy is your main goal, our guide to the best fences for privacy compares more options.
DIY or Professional Install?
This is the other big difference, and it’s one that’s easy to overlook.
Aluminum is realistic for a handy homeowner. The panels are light, each kit includes the post, brackets and screws for one section, and we support DIY customers with instructional videos.
Wrought iron is a professional job. Steel is roughly three times as heavy as aluminum. Posts need solid concrete footings, heavy gates need heavy-duty hinges so they don’t sag, and custom panels have to be measured, fabricated and fitted to your site. We handle that from the first measurement to the final install.
What About Cost?
In most cases, aluminum costs less, especially if you install it yourself. Standard kit sizes, lighter material and faster installation all keep the price down.
Wrought iron usually costs more because of the heavier material, the fabrication time and the finishing. A simple picket design costs less than ornamental scrollwork or a fence with integrated gates. Length, height, number of posts and gates, ground conditions and removal of an old fence all affect the price for both.
A few ways we help with budgeting:
- Try our free online fence cost estimator to get a ballpark number before you call.
- For aluminum pricing, see our guide to aluminum fencing costs.
- Financing is available from $1,000 to $40,000 for larger projects.
Our Honest Recommendation
Go with wrought iron if you want the strongest fence, a custom or ornamental design, metalwork that matches your gates and railings, or a commercial-grade barrier.
Go with aluminum if you want the lowest maintenance, no rust worries near the water, a clean modern look, privacy panels, a lower budget or the option to install it yourself.
And you don’t always have to choose. You can put a custom wrought iron gate at the entrance, where it’s seen most, and run aluminum fencing around the rest of the yard.
Quick Answers
Can aluminum look like wrought iron?
From the street, a black powder-coated aluminum picket fence can look very close. Up close, wrought iron has heavier pickets and more detailed decorative work.
Which lasts longer?
Both can last for decades. Aluminum does it with almost no upkeep. Wrought iron can last even longer if its finish is looked after.
Do I need a permit for a metal fence?
Fence height limits and permit rules are set by each municipality. Read our guide on fence permits in BC and check with your city before you build.
Get Help Choosing Your Fence
Cypress Railings & Gates has been designing, fabricating and installing fences, railings and gates since 2005, from our home base in North Vancouver to Coquitlam, Surrey, Langley and the Sea-to-Sky corridor. We’re BBB accredited with an A+ rating, and fully bonded and insured.
See our completed projects or download our portfolio for ideas. If you’re thinking about DIY aluminum, browse the kits in the Cypress Shop.
Not sure yet? Send us your address, rough measurements and a few photos through our contact page, or call 604-990-7544. We’ll tell you honestly which material makes sense for your property.
