Metal fence family
Metal Fence Installation
Chain link, ornamental steel, aluminum and solid R-panel. Coated for the humidity, set in concrete, and built for the yards, lake lots and businesses that want a fence they rarely have to think about.
Metal fence is the answer when the question is "what will I not have to maintain." Wood needs stain and eventually boards. Wire needs tension. A properly coated metal fence set in concrete mostly just stands there, which is why so much of the chain link, ornamental and aluminum we build goes around lake houses that sit empty for weeks, commercial lots that nobody wants to babysit, and pools that have to meet a code. This page covers the four metal fence types we build and how to choose between them.
Metal fence styles we build
Chain Link Fence Installation
Galvanized and vinyl-coated chain link fences for yards, dog runs, commercial lots and pool areas around Onalaska and Livingston, TX, with privacy slats available.
Ornamental Metal Fence Installation
Ornamental steel and iron-style fences with the look of wrought iron and modern coatings, built for front yards, pools and estates around Lake Livingston, TX.
Aluminum Fence Installation
Rust-free aluminum fences for pools, lakefront lots and front yards around Onalaska, TX. Powder-coated panels that never need paint, installed by Texas Rural Fence.
R-Panel Metal Fence Installation
Solid R-panel metal privacy fences on steel or treated wood frames for full screening, wind and noise around Lake Livingston, TX. Long-lasting, low maintenance.
Choosing between them
| Fence | Best for | Privacy | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain link | Dog yards, lake lots, commercial lots, pools, budgets | Open; slats available | Very low |
| Ornamental steel | Front yards, estates, pools, street-facing boundaries | Open | Low; touch up chips |
| Aluminum | Pools, waterfront, anywhere rust is a worry | Open | Lowest |
| R-panel | Full screening, wind, noise, equipment yards | Solid | Low |
What "coated for the humidity" means
The air off Lake Livingston is wet for most of the year, and bare steel does not last in it. Every metal fence we build uses material finished for that: hot-dip galvanized or vinyl-coated chain link fabric and framework, powder-coated steel for ornamental panels, and aluminum that cannot rust at all. The place a metal fence starts to rust is where somebody cut it, scratched it or bolted on a bare bracket. We seal cut ends, use coated hardware, and touch up any chip before we leave.
Posts and footings
A metal fence is only as straight as its posts. Terminal posts, the ones at corners, ends and gates, take the pull of the fabric or the weight of the gate and go deeper with more concrete. Line posts go below the soft topsoil in concrete as well. On lake lots with sandy soil near the water we go deeper still and sometimes widen the footing. If you have ever seen a chain link fence with a bowed corner or an ornamental fence with a leaning gate post, the post was set shallow. It is the one thing we will not shortcut to lower a price.
Gates and openers
Every metal fence style has a matching gate: chain link walk and double-drive gates, ornamental and aluminum walk and driveway gates, and heavy tube gates on farm properties. Driveway gates can be fitted with automatic openers, keypads and remotes. See the gates page for the full range.
Repairs
Metal fences get hit by trees, mowers and trucks like any other fence. We re-stretch chain link, replace bent posts and top rail, straighten or replace ornamental panels, and rehang gates. Fence and gate repair covers how we approach it, including fences we did not build.
Frequently asked questions
Which metal fence is the lowest maintenance?
Aluminum. It cannot rust, the powder coat does not need paint, and the panels are light. Vinyl-coated chain link is a close second. Ornamental steel is very durable but should be touched up if the coating is ever chipped to bare metal.
Do metal fences rust in the lake humidity?
Galvanized and vinyl-coated chain link, powder-coated steel and aluminum are all built for it. What rusts is bare steel: a scratched post, a cheap gate, a cut end that was never sealed. We use coated materials and seal cuts so the fence does not start rusting where we worked on it.
Can a metal fence give privacy?
Chain link with privacy slats blocks most of the view. R-panel is a solid metal fence and blocks all of it. Ornamental and aluminum are open styles meant to be seen through; for privacy on those we usually add plantings or pair them with a wood section.
How deep do metal fence posts go?
Into concrete, below the soft topsoil, with terminal, corner and gate posts set deeper. The post depth is what keeps a chain link fence tight and an ornamental fence straight; the panels only look as good as the posts holding them.
Ready to price a metal fence?
Tell us about the project and we will set up a free on-site estimate. Or just call: we answer the phone.