Iron Fence Shop^® Frequently Asked Questions

When we designed our Stronghold Iron product line, we tried to fill in the quality gaps left by our competitors.  Some examples of what sets us apart are:
 
Rust-Inhibition and Finish

• Our Stronghold Iron stock is hot-dipped galvanized.  This means that you have rust protection inside and out on our iron pieces whereas our competitors typically only primer the outside with a thin e-coat.  

• All constructed fence panels, posts and gates receive a 4-stage pre-treatment and wash to rid them of impurities before applying a polyester TGIC powder coat finish. 

• Our TGIC powder coating has UV fade inhibitors as part of the formulation to keep your fence looking good for decades to come and not fading or ‘chalking’ after being up a few months.     

Construction and Appearance

• All of our fences and gates come with iron finial tips welded on standard. Our competitors charge extra for finials or have cheap pinch-tops.  We feel finials are essentially the most iconic element of an iron fence.  When you add the optional finial tips to our competitor’s fence panel, it costs much more than our fence and gives you lesser quality components!

• Our finial tips are true cast-iron pieces that are welded to the fence or gate picket.  Our competitor’s optional finials are made of either thin aluminum or worse, plastic and pressed on whereas ours are welded on.    

• All our iron pieces feature a fully welded construction.  No screws or rivets holding it all together. 

• Our walk gates feature a fully boxed U-frame that is welded square to prevent the gate from ever sagging.  None of our competitors offer this standard.

We carry walk gates that match all of our Stronghold Iron Classic fence panel heights.   The matching walk gates are available in a:

• 4ft (48in) Single Gate Width*

• 5ft (60in) Single Gate Width

• 6ft (72in) Single Gate Width

• 8ft (96in) Double Gate Width

• 10ft (120in) Double Gate Width

• 12ft (144in) Double Gate Width

Our Pool style of iron fence offers a more limited selection of gates sizes coming only in a 4ft wide single and 8ft wide double gate configuration.

We also carry a full array of hinge and latch options for all gates.  Ask your Iron Fence Shop salesperson for options that would best work for your application.

* Classic style has an optional arched version of the 4ft wide walk gate in all heights

We offer our Stronghold Iron products in two grades to provide options on profile and strength within each style of fence.  

Our Traditional grade of Stronghold Iron is the smaller of both profiles with a ½” square, 18ga picket and 4in tall finial tip on top.  Our Traditional grade profile more closely represents the fences made 100 years ago with its smaller features.  In terms of appearance, we recommend the Traditional grade when you want the fence to blend in as part of the landscaping and not be a main focal point.   

Our Signature grade of Stronghold Iron is the larger of both profiles with a ¾” square, 16ga picket and 6in tall finial tip on top.  Our Signature grade is the more heavy-duty option as its larger profile and thicker components are stronger than its Traditional grade counterpart.  A 4x8 Stronghold Iron fence panel in Traditional grade weighs about 45lbs whereas its Signature grade counterpart weighs about 90lbs.  In terms of appearance, we recommend the Signature grade when you want the fence to stand out as a main element in your landscape.     

There is no ‘right’ answer to this question as it will come down to your preferences to guide you to the material best for you.  Below are the strengths of each option.  Go with the material that best fits your needs and wants:

Stronghold Iron

• Strength is of utmost importance

• Wants a traditional, heavy-duty, all-welded fence or gate

• Concerned with security and durability

• Understands the fence finish may need to be touched up if scratched or scuffed to bare metal

Infinity Aluminum

• Wants a maintenance-free product they can install and forget

• Values lightweight nature of aluminum for installation and gate operation

• Yard is hilly or sloped and does not want to ‘stair-step’ install the fence

• Wants to be able to install same day posts are set

Our Stronghold Iron panels utilize a cast-iron bracket that slides over the horizontal rail.  The bracket has a hole for a self-tapping screw that you will drive into the post.  This set-up allows for mounting the panel at any point on the post and also means there are no specialized line, end, and corner posts like aluminum has.  With Stronghold Iron, a ‘post is a post’.   

Yes.  We have sample boxes that can be purchased by clicking the 'Request Sample' button at the bottom of our home page.  The kit includes a sample picket and finial of our Stronghold Iron and Infinity Aluminum in both Traditional and Signature grade.  Contact an Iron Fence Shop Sales rep for further details.  

When we designed our Infinity Aluminum product line, we tried to fill in the quality gaps left by our competitors.  Some examples of what sets us apart include:

• Our Infinity Aluminum line includes welded on, solid aluminum finials.  We are the only company in the industry offerings this!  Our competitors have only ugly pinch tops or charge extra for adding optional press-on finial tips to their fence.  When you add up the cost of their panels with those optional press-on finials, they actual cost much more than ours with welded on finials included!

• We feature a beveled edge on the horizontal rails of all our Infinity Aluminum pieces.  It is a small detail, but one that adds both elegance and additional strength instead of the standard and weaker squared rail offered by others. 

• We route our aluminum fence posts to exactly fit our rail rather than square punch them.  This provides a cleaner look and tighter connection than the competition.  It also means no gap under the rail that can allow bees and wasps to nest in your posts.

• Our TGIC powder coating has UV fade inhibitors as part of the formulation to keep your fence looking good for decades and not fading or ‘chalking’ after being up a few months.     

• Our walk gates feature a fully boxed U-frame that is welded square to prevent the gate from ever sagging.  None of our competitors offer this standard.

Our Classic style Infinity Aluminum Fence panels are 6ft (72in) wide when installed and available in a:

• 3ft (36in) Tall Fence Panel Height

• 4ft (48in) Tall Fence Panel Height

• 5ft (60in) Tall Fence Panel Height

• 6ft (72in) Tall Fence Panel Height

Our Pool style Infinity Aluminum Fence panels are 6ft (72in) wide installed and come only in a 54" height to satisfy pool code. 

We can also make custom heights for you.  See the ‘Custom Designs’ section of the site for more details on custom fence heights.

We offer our Infinity Aluminum products in two grades to provide options on profile and strength within each style of fence.  

Our Traditional grade of Infinity Aluminum is the smaller of both profiles with a 5/8” square, 0.050” picket and 4in tall finial tip on top.  Our Traditional grade profile more closely represents the fences made 100 years ago with its smaller features.  In terms of appearance, we recommend the Traditional grade when you want the fence to blend in as part of the landscaping and not be a main focal point.   

Our Signature grade of Infinity Aluminum is the larger of both profiles with a ¾” square, 0.050” picket and 6in tall finial tip on top.  Our Signature grade is the more heavy-duty option, as its larger profile components are stronger than its Traditional grade counterpart.  In terms of appearance, we recommend the Signature grade when you want the fence to stand out as a main element in your landscape.     

There is no ‘right’ answer to this question as it will come down to your preferences to guide you to the material best for you.  Below are the strengths of each option.  Go with the material that best fits your needs and wants:

Stronghold Iron

• Strength is of utmost importance

• Wants a traditional, heavy-duty, all-welded fence or gate

• Concerned with security and durability

• Understands the fence finish may need to be touched up if scratched or scuffed to bare metal

Infinity Aluminum

• Wants a maintenance-free product they can install and forget

• Values lightweight nature of aluminum for installation and gate operation

• Yard is hilly or sloped and does not want to ‘stair-step’ install the fence

• Wants to be able to install same day posts are set

Our Infinity Aluminum panel horizontal rails fit inside a punched hole in the post.  The rail is then secured by driving a self-tapping screw through the post and into the rail.  Aluminum posts are specialized by their location with line, end, and corner post designations.   

Yes!  Sample boxes can be purchased by clicking the 'Request Sample' button near the bottom of our home page.  The kit will include a sample picket and finial of our Stronghold Iron and Infinity Aluminum in both Traditional and Signature grade.  Contact an Iron Fence Shop Sales rep for further details.  

Our Stronghold Iron and Infinity Aluminum driveway gates are available in two heights:

• 5ft (60in) Arching to 6ft (72in) Tall in the Center

• 6ft (72in) Arching to 7ft (84in) Tall in the Center

Our Classic style of driveway gate is available in iron and aluminum and both heights above.  Our Rings Puppy Picket style of driveway gate is available only in Stronghold Iron and a 6ft arching to 7ft height. 

We can also make custom gate heights for you.  See the ‘Custom Designs’ section of the site for more details on custom gate heights.

A full line of hinges, posts, latches and automatic gate opener kits are available to complement our iron and aluminum driveway gates.

Yes you can and roughly 90% of our customers do!  It will also help cut your project cost roughly in half by not paying a contractor to do it.  You will likely do a much better job as its your home and you can spread the project out whereas a contractor is looking to get your gate up as quickly as possible and move onto the next job.  The majority of the photos in our Knowledge Center Photo Gallery are from customers that installed it themselves.     

Installation requires only basic hand tools.  For more detailed install info, visit the Installation page in our Knowledge Center. 
 

When we designed our Iron and Aluminum Driveway Gate lines, we tried to fill in the quality gaps left by our competitors.  Some examples of what sets us apart include:

• Both our Stronghold Iron and Infinity Aluminum driveway gates include welded on finials at no extra charge.  Our competitors charge extra for adding optional press-on finial tips to their gates and when you add it up, they actual cost much more than ours with welded on finials included!

• Our Stronghold Iron driveway gates use galvanized metal stock, which is a superior rust prohibiting coating. The pieces are hot-dipped for full coverage inside and out.  

• All driveway gates feature a fully boxed U-frame that is welded square to eliminate the possibility of the gate ever sagging.  None of our competitors offer this standard.

• Our driveway gate U-frames are heavy-duty to take any unintended blows from vehicles.  The Stronghold Iron driveway gates feature an 11ga (3/16” thick) boxed 2” x 2” frame.  The Infinity Aluminum driveway gates feature a 0.125” wall thickness in a boxed 2” x 2” frame.   

• All our Stronghold Iron and Infinity Aluminum driveway gates include an additional horizontal rail about 2ft up from the bottom frame that can act as an operator bar for any automated gate opener system. 

• Our TGIC powder coating has UV fade inhibitors as part of the formulation to keep your gate looking good for decades and not fading or ‘chalking’ after being up a few months.     

Yes we do!  We carry the full line of Linear PRO gate openers and gate opener accessories.  This is the PRO line that is a step above what you can find in your local big box stores.  We offer the automatic openers are fully equipped kits to which you can add all sorts of accessories such as keypads, intercoms, vehicle sensors, solar panels, etc.  

We’ve sold thousands of orders over the years and roughly 90% were to regular homeowners that tackled installing the fence and gates on their own.  Those photos in our gallery and all over the website?  Almost all of them are from regular folks who were so proud of their installation that they sent us pictures to show us how the project turned out. 

Where our competitor’s only send a one-page installation guide (if any at all), Iron Fence Shop provides an in-depth set of instructions with pictures and helpful tips.  With the amount of installation information we provide in our printed guides and on the website, it’s actually rare to get folks calling in seeking installation assistance.  But if you do end up having installation questions after you receive the fence, our experienced staff is here to help.  

Installation of the fence panels differs a little depending on if you purchased an iron or aluminum fence, but both can be handled easily. 

If you purchased an iron fence, the panels install via a simple cast iron bracket that slides on the end of the rail.  Need a shorter-than-standard panel at the end of a run?  Simply cut off the width you don’t need with a standard sawzall or hacksaw, slide your bracket on as if it were a standard size panel.  Use the self-tapping screw that we provide and attach the bracket to the post.  Do this on the other side of the panel and then move on to the next one.  It’s that easy.

If you purchased an aluminum fence, the rails of the panel fit inside the holes we punch in the post.  Just like with the iron, if you need to trim a panel to a shorter width, you absolutely can with basic cutting tools.  Once your panel rail is in the post, use the self-tapping screw we provide and drive it through the post and into the rail.  Again, it’s that easy. 

Besides being uncomplicated, there are other benefits to installing the iron or aluminum fence or gate on your own:

• You will probably cut the project cost in half installing it yourself

• Unlike an installer who is rushing to finish and get to the next job, you can take your time to get everything perfect as you install the fence

• It’s your house.   You are going to give more care and attention to installing it exactly how you want it and with no unexpected surprises

• Lastly, the feeling of accomplishment.  Don’t diminish how proud you will be taking a project like this on and successfully executing it. 

It really is something the average person can handle.  If you have any installation questions you would like answered, you can visit the Installation page in the ‘Knowledge Center’ or give us a call here and we would be happy to discuss tackling the project. 

It is rare for a project to end up with all full width panels over the course of a project.  You can trim down the fence panels using a hacksaw or sawzall.  Simply mark where you need to cut, hold the panel and then cut through the horizontal rails.  Try to maintain picket spacing as best you can for a cleaner look. 

Both our Stronghold Iron and Infinity Aluminum can be mounted to something other than the steel or aluminum posts we provide.  If you are mounting to something other than our standard posts, it is best to ask one of our Iron Fence Shop Sales Representatives.  You can describe your particular setup and get feedback from them on the best approach.   

The answer to this will depend which product line you are looking to purchase.

Our Stronghold Iron fence panels do not rack.  Our panels are fully welded for strength and racking a panel requires the pickets to be screwed in or have a single weaker weld that can be bent.  However, yard slope can be handled in two ways using our material:

• On a mild grade, you can ‘step’ the panels.  This means mounting one panel at a higher or lower height than the previous panel to handle the grade.  You can also cut panels in half to shorten the gap over a mild slope as well; however that approach will require additional posts.

• On more severe grades where stepping will leave too large a gap, we can create custom panels that would follow the grade of your yard.  You would need to provide us the drop over an 8’ section so that we can quote out the panel price.  Custom piece lead-time (10-12 weeks) would be applicable to these custom panels.

Our Infinity Aluminum panels will rack 8" - 10" from level so that you can follow the contours of your yard slope.  If the slope exceeds the rack of the panel, we recommend back filling the area with material such as dirt, decorative stones, plants, etc.   

The process of quoting and ordering from Iron Fence Shop is as easy as 1-2-3:

1. Let Us Know What you Need

We start the process by finding out what materials you would like to use via email or phone conversation.   We can get started with something as simple as an overall footage or get more detailed with a drawing of your layout emailed or faxed to us. 

2. We Create an Accurate Quote For You

We will take the information you provided and create an itemized quote.  By skipping the website shopping cart and having our knowledgeable sales team put together your quote, we avoid the risk of you ordering too much or too little for your project.  This method of quoting has allowed us to have a 99.99% accuracy rating on all orders shipped for the past 6 years!  We want to get it right the first time as much as you do!

3. Place Your Order

Once we’ve hammered out all the details of what you need, the last thing to do is convert your quote to an invoice and place the order.  We accept all major credit cards, checks, check-over-phone and bank wire transfers.  Time from order-to-shipment will depend on the product style you choose, but orders are typically delivered to your house in a week or less after they leave our warehouse.  

Simply click any of the ‘Get Quote’ buttons on the screen above to send your project information to us.  You can also contact us directly via email at [email protected] or by phone at (800)-261-2729.

We offer Free Shipping on qualified orders that are:

• Shipped within the United States (excluding HI and AK)

• Over $5000 in materials

If your material total is less than $5000, we offer a flat shipping rate of $495 within the United States (excluding HI and AK).

Looking to ship outside of the United States?  We can work with your international shipments as well.  We’ve shipped orders to Canada, Denmark, South America, New Zealand and Japan to name just a few.  Contact your Iron Fence Shop salesperson to inquire about getting an international shipping quote.

Our Classic and Pool styles are stocked in our warehouse.  Lead time is usually a week from order to leaving the warehouse.  Once an order leaves our warehouse, it’s typically a week or less for delivery depending on where you live.  

Yes, you or your installer will need to be present to accept the material.  Once we have shipped your order, we will email or call you with a tracking number and phone number for the local terminal it will ship to your house from.  You can then call the local terminal to schedule when it will deliver to your house.  The terminal will call you, but we suggest calling them first as it speeds up the delivery process.

You and at least another person will need to be present for the delivery to hand unload the material from the truck and inspect for damages.  In most cases the driver will help, however, they are only required to get the material to the back of the truck.  Any damages will need to be noted on the driver’s bill of lading prior to them leaving. 
 

If for some reason you need to cancel your order with us, we can honor the request so long as the order has not shipped yet. 

If you cancel prior to the order shipping, there will be no out-of-pocket cost and your order will be refunded in full.  If the order has shipped, this will be treated as a return.

Custom Design orders must be cancelled prior to production.  Custom Design orders that have been already produced cannot be cancelled.     

If you encounter material damaged or missing during delivery, it is best to call us immediately at 800-261-2729; Option 1.
 
The reason we have you on-site to unload the fence is to inspect for damages.  If you do find damages, you will need to make note of it both your copy AND the driver's copy of the delivery receipt before they leave.  Include details such as number of pieces and type of damage and have the driver sign.  Once you send us a copy of the delivery receipt, we can get replacements sent out ASAP or work on another agreeable resolution.  

Unfortunately if damages or shortages are not noted a the time of delivery, then we cannot make a claim with the shipping company, so it is imperative that you inspect the shipment while offloading.
 

There are a lot of choices when it comes to buying fence material.  We strive to set ourselves apart from the rest in such ways as:

• We don’t deal with middlemen, you buy direct. Our fencing comes right from the manufacturer shipped directly to you. This is a huge advantage because most fence companies (local or online) buy from a distributor that buys from another distributor that buys from the manufacturer. Buying through us eliminates all of those middlemen and the markups that go with them.  Also, we have direct access to the manufacturer and play an active role in inventory, products, quality control and planning. 

• We have decades of combined fence experience in the sales group. We know what works and we know what doesn’t. Best of all, we know what the customer wants in a fence product and the company selling it.  This allows us to provide installation help and use past experience when assisting you. 

• Our customer service simply cannot be beat. We are here to help from initial questions all the way up to questions after the fence has been installed for years.  We know that nobody likes to wait, so we make all attempts to get your quote request returned same day (sometimes even within the hour).  We make sure to follow-up on our quotes after they are sent to make sure there are not any questions or required changes.  We want the buying process to be a painless one where you TRUST and ENJOY working with us.
   

We can be contacted via the following methods:

• Toll Free Phone: 800-261-2729

• Fax:  330-470-2444

• Email:  [email protected]

An aluminum post with no punched holes.  Used where standard punched holes will not work.   

A small plate that can be affixed to the bottom of an aluminum post for installation over wood or concrete.  

Typically used to hold a double gate closed in the center so that the leafs cannot swing back and forth.  The rod is attached to one of the gate leaves and then put into the ground to hold the gate stable so the other leaf can latch to it.    

An aluminum post for where a fence terminates.  It is punched on one side only.  

Similar to an aluminum end post, but a thicker (0.125) diameter to compensate for gate movement and leverage.

A line of powered gate opener and accessories.  Typically used on driveway gates so that the gate be opened via wireless transmitter, keypad, intercom or vehicle sensor.

A steel post with a 5” square flange welded to the bottom to provide a ‘foot’ for mounting posts on a surface rather than burying them in concrete.  

The rails running left to right on a fence panel, which the pickets are passed through and welded on for an iron piece or screwed on for an aluminum piece.  

An aluminum post that runs in-line with the fence.  Holes are punched on the right and left side.

Square tube that passes through the horizontal rails vertically and has the finial welded on top.   

Decorative accent that can be screwed, epoxyed or glued to the top of the post.