Wood gets the romance, but metal does jobs wood can't: security that means it, spans that don't sag, fire lines that don't burn, and modern profiles that stay razor-straight for decades. Here's how we think about the three metals we build with.
Steel — strength you can spec
Custom steel is our answer for driveway gates, commercial perimeters, and anti-climb security fencing. We fabricate for the opening rather than forcing catalog parts into it — which is why our steel gates swing true in year ten. Properly finished (galvanized, powder-coated), steel earns its keep even near the coast.
Aluminum — the coastal modern
Aluminum simply doesn't rust, which makes it the smart metal within reach of salt air. We're QuickScreen Aluminum authorized installers — panelized horizontal systems with crisp architectural lines, no repainting, no worries. If you love the modern horizontal look but hate maintenance, this is your material.
Ornamental iron — presence and tradition
For estate frontage and perimeter fencing that reads as architecture: classic ironwork, built to last generations. Security with elegance.
The fire-resistance angle
We live in wildfire country. Steel and aluminum are non-combustible — a metal fence line near the house doesn't carry flame the way a wood one can. If you're hardening your property (or your insurer is asking you to), your fence belongs in the plan.
Metal also plays beautifully with wood — see the mixed materials guide, or talk through your project: (805) 203-6165.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Steel, aluminum, or iron — how do I choose?
Steel for strength and security — gates, commercial perimeters, anti-climb. Aluminum for clean modern lines with zero rust worry — ideal near the ocean. Ornamental iron for presence and tradition — estate fencing that reads as architecture. We build in all three and match the metal to the job.
Won't metal rust near the coast?
Aluminum won't — that's its superpower, and why we like it in Santa Barbara's salt air. Steel and iron need proper prep and finish (galvanizing, powder coating) to live happily near the ocean; that's fabrication and finishing know-how, and it's exactly where experience shows.
Is metal fencing really fire-resistant?
Yes — steel and aluminum are non-combustible, which is why they anchor our fire-resistant fencing designs. In wildfire country, the first five feet from a structure matter most; a metal fence line doesn't carry flame to your home the way wood can.
What is QuickScreen?
A panelized horizontal aluminum fencing system — crisp modern lines that stay straight and true, with no rust and no repainting. We're QuickScreen authorized installers, which means factory-backed details and warranty support.