Steel Fence Installation in Galveston, TX

What an ornamental steel fence is

The standard. ASTM F2408 covers ornamental fences made of galvanized steel tubular pickets. The steel is hot-dip galvanized before or after forming, then finished with a polyester or epoxy/polyester powder coat, or a two-coat paint system. Fittings and fasteners must meet the same coating performance, and the fence is tested four ways: horizontal and vertical concentrated loads, thrust against the infill, and cone penetration. ASTM F2589 covers the same kind of fence in black (ungalvanized) steel. Neither applies to solid-bar or wrought iron fences, which are iron-style fabrication.

A real example. One commercial line (Ameristar Montage Commercial) specifies ¾″ square 14-gauge pickets, 1½″ × 1⁷⁄₁₆″ 14-gauge rails and 2½″ posts, from G-60 galvanized steel with a 45,000 psi minimum yield strength. Every picket is fusion-welded to every rail, and the panels get an electrocoat of epoxy primer and acrylic topcoat at least 2 mils thick. It is built to the industrial-weight loads in F2408, in 7 and 8 ft heights. Residential lines are lighter. Ask which grade you are being quoted.

Steel or aluminum? Aluminum panels are usually screwed together and can't rust. Steel panels are welded, heavier and stiffer, but rust wherever the coating is breached. For homes near the water, aluminum is usually the lower-upkeep choice. For a security line or a commercial frontage farther inland, steel earns its keep. The metal fence comparison lays out all four metals.

Steel near salt water: the coating is the fence

Thin zinc means the paint or powder coat does most of the work, so damage to it matters. Every published steel fence warranty we reviewed ties coverage to how that coating is treated:

• Cut ends and drilled holes. Ameristar's installation spec says to remove the metal shavings, coat the cut or hole with zinc-rich primer, then apply 2 coats of matching paint, and that skipping this "will negate warranty". Fortress requires 3 coats of touch-up on cut ends in salt-water environments.
• Distance from the coast. Montage Commercial is 20 years beyond 10 miles, 10 years from 1 to 10 miles, and 5 years within 1 mile, and evidence of salt spray exposure can void it. The residential line's lifetime limited warranty does not apply within 1 mile (5 years pro-rated instead).
• Mixed metals. The American Galvanizers Association says galvanized steel touching aluminum or stainless steel "may require electrical isolation" close to salt water. Ask what the hinges, latches and brackets are made of.

Every address on Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula sits within a few miles of the Gulf or a bay. Warranties don't say whether a bay counts as "coastline", so ask the manufacturer in writing. Rinse salt off, keep sprinklers off the fence, and touch up scratches as soon as you see them.

From estimate to finished fence

1. Free on-site estimate. We measure the line, gates and grade, note exposure to salt spray, and talk through what the fence has to stop.
2. Product and a written price. The exact product and grade, height, picket style, gates, gate posts and hardware, and the product's written warranty.
3. Property line and permits. Commercial fence permits in Galveston use a survey showing the fence location. Check HOA rules on residential lots.
4. Installation. Posts are set in concrete footers, panels are bracketed to the posts (racked to follow a slope where the product allows), and gates are hung. Every field cut and drilled hole should be sealed to the maker's instructions, so ask how yours will be.
5. Walkthrough. We check gate swing, latches and any automation, and go over rinsing and touch-up.

What affects cost and timing

We give you a written price after the free on-site visit. The main things that move it:

• Length, height and grade. Commercial and industrial-weight panels and 7 or 8 ft heights use more steel than residential panels.
• Gates. Wide leaves need bigger gate posts and heavier frames. Slide gates and operators add more.
• Coating. Standard black or bronze electrocoat vs custom colors, and any extra coating for coastal sites.
• Style and security details. Spear or flat tops, rings, and extra rails.
• Site. Slopes, existing fence removal, and mounting to slabs or walls instead of footers.

For commercial budgets, see commercial fence cost per foot. Financing is available through the providers on our financing page, subject to credit approval.

Questions we get about this