Aluminum or steel: what is the difference?
- Aluminum never rusts, is light and comes powder-coated in black, bronze or white. It is the most common pick for pools and front yards.
- Steel and wrought iron are heavier and stronger. They resist bending and suit security-minded properties, but chips in the coating need touch-ups to stop rust.
Where do metal fences make sense?
- Front yards, kept to Santa Clara's 3-foot limit in the required front setback.
- Pool enclosures, where narrow picket spacing helps meet state law. See pool fences.
- Entry walks and courtyards that need a gate.
- Commercial frontages that should look open but stay secure.
What does a metal fence cost?
As of October 2026, Angi's national cost guide puts aluminum at roughly $17 to $90 per linear foot and wrought iron at roughly $25 to $55 installed. Custom designs and heavy gauges cost more. Short front-yard runs are often priced more by posts and gates than by footage.
Do posts and pillars have their own rules?
Yes. Santa Clara's code allows posts, columns and gates up to 4 feet tall and 18 inches wide in setbacks, if they are at least 15 feet from an intersection and outside driveway visibility areas. We design around that when an entry has pillars.