There is a reason ornamental iron fencing has been a fixture of American properties for over a century. It looks sharp, it lasts decades, and it does not block the view you spent good money to enjoy.
We have installed ornamental iron and steel fences across Tulsa and northeast Oklahoma for residential estates, commercial properties, pool enclosures, and everything in between. Here is what you should know before choosing one for your property.
What Is Ornamental Iron Fencing?
Ornamental iron fencing refers to metal fence systems built from steel or aluminum that combine strength with a decorative, open-picket design. Unlike solid privacy fencing, ornamental iron lets light and sightlines pass through while still defining property boundaries and providing security.
Modern ornamental fencing is not the hand-forged wrought iron of a hundred years ago. Today’s systems are factory-engineered with powder-coated steel or aluminum panels, welded joints, and corrosion-resistant finishes designed to handle decades of Oklahoma weather.
The key distinction: ornamental iron gives you the look of classic wrought iron with the durability and consistency of modern manufacturing.
Ornamental Iron Fence Styles We Install in Tulsa
We install the full Ameristar product line, with the Montage series as our primary ornamental fence system. Here is a breakdown of the most common styles Tulsa homeowners and businesses choose.
| Style | Best For | Look | Security Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat top | Residential yards, front property lines | Clean, modern lines with no pointed pickets | Moderate |
| Spear top | Estates, commercial perimeters, churches | Traditional pointed pickets for a classic iron look | High |
| Arched top | Decorative front yards, HOA communities | Gentle curves between posts for visual appeal | Moderate |
| Flush bottom rail | Pool enclosures, pet containment | Bottom rail sits flush to eliminate gaps | High |
| Majestic style | Luxury estates, upscale commercial | Taller panels with ornamental finials and scrollwork | High |
A note on pool fencing: Tulsa and most northeast Oklahoma municipalities require pool fences to meet specific height and gap requirements. Ornamental iron with a flush bottom rail and self-closing, self-latching gate is one of the most popular solutions we install for pool code compliance.
Why Tulsa Homeowners Choose Ornamental Iron
It handles Oklahoma weather
Oklahoma throws everything at a fence: 60 mph straight-line winds, ice storms that coat every surface, summer heat that warps lesser materials, and clay soils that shift with every rain cycle.
Ornamental steel fencing handles all of it. Powder-coated finishes resist rust and UV degradation. Steel panels flex under wind load without breaking the way rigid materials can. And because ornamental iron has an open design, wind passes through instead of catching the fence like a sail.
Compare that to a solid privacy fence in a windstorm. Open-picket ornamental iron sheds wind energy rather than absorbing it.
It lasts decades with minimal maintenance
A properly installed ornamental steel fence can last 20 to 30 years or more with minimal upkeep. There is no staining, no sealing, no replacing warped or rotted boards. An occasional rinse with a garden hose and a visual check for any coating chips is about all it takes.
For Tulsa homeowners who want a fence they can install and largely forget about, ornamental iron is hard to beat.
It does not block your view or your curb appeal
Privacy fencing makes sense for backyards. But for front yards, side property lines facing a street, or any application where you want to define your boundary without creating a visual wall, ornamental iron is the answer.
This is why we see ornamental fencing on so many Tulsa properties in neighborhoods like Bailey Ranch, Stone Canyon, and Bel Lago. HOA communities often prefer or require ornamental iron along street-facing boundaries for exactly this reason.
It adds security without looking like a fortress
Spear-top ornamental iron sends a clear message: this property has a defined boundary, and crossing it takes effort. For churches, schools, office buildings, and commercial properties across the Tulsa metro, ornamental steel fencing provides real security while maintaining an inviting appearance.
We have installed ornamental iron security fencing for properties ranging from daycares to distribution centers. The same fence system scales from a 4-foot residential decorative border to a 10-foot commercial security perimeter.
Check out some recent ornamental metal fencing projects we’ve installed around Tulsa and northeast Oklahoma.
Ornamental Iron vs. Other Fence Types
Choosing the right fence depends on what matters most for your property. Here is how ornamental iron stacks up against the other options we install.
| Factor | Ornamental Iron | Wood Privacy | Chain Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 20–30+ years | 15–25 years (Western Red Cedar) | 15–20+ years |
| Maintenance | Minimal (rinse, inspect coating) | Moderate (stain/seal recommended) | Low |
| Privacy | Open design, no privacy | Full privacy | Partial (slats available) |
| Wind resistance | Excellent (open pickets) | Moderate (solid panels catch wind) | Good (mesh design) |
| Security | High (spear tops, climb-resistant) | Moderate | Moderate (barbed wire options) |
| Curb appeal | High | High (when maintained) | Low to moderate |
| Upfront cost | Higher | Moderate | Lower |
| Best for | Front yards, pools, commercial, estates | Backyards, full privacy | Utility, pet containment, commercial |
The bottom line: ornamental iron costs more upfront than wood or chain link, but the combination of longevity, low maintenance, and curb appeal often makes it the better long-term investment for the right application.
What Does Ornamental Iron Fencing Cost in Tulsa?
Ornamental fence pricing in the Tulsa area depends on several factors:
- Fence height: Residential panels typically run 4 to 6 feet. Commercial applications may go higher.
- Style and series: A flat-top residential panel costs less than a majestic-style estate panel with ornamental finials.
- Linear footage: Larger projects bring the per-foot cost down.
- Gate requirements: Walk gates, double drive gates, and custom gate designs add to the project total.
- Terrain: Sloped or uneven ground requires racked panels or stepped installation, which adds labor.
- Access and clearing: Tight access, vegetation removal, or difficult soil conditions (hello, Tulsa clay) can affect installation time.
Our recommendation: Rather than guessing at a number, use our free Instant Quote tool to get a project-specific estimate based on your property. Every property is different, and a quote based on your actual footage, terrain, and style preference will always be more accurate than a generic price range.
The Empire Fence Difference: Quality Assurance on Every Installation
Here is something that separates us from other ornamental fence installers in the Tulsa market.
Every fence we install, including ornamental iron, goes through our Quality Assurance Program:
- Material verification before installation begins
- 23-point crew inspection signed off by the crew leader upon completion
- Independent QA inspection by a separate Quality Assurance inspector
- Immediate remediation of any issues identified during either inspection
- Gold Seal Certificate of Excellence issued to the customer verifying the fence meets or exceeds our standards
We have been doing this since 1955. Three generations of the Richison-Nelson family have led Empire Fence, and the QA program exists because our name is on every fence we build. That is not something you get from a franchise or a crew that showed up on Craigslist last month.
Where We Install Ornamental Iron Fencing
We serve residential and commercial customers across a 100-mile radius from Tulsa, including Broken Arrow, Owasso, Jenks, Bixby, Sapulpa, Sand Springs, Claremore, and 20+ additional communities throughout northeast Oklahoma.
Common ornamental iron projects we handle:
- Residential front yard and perimeter fencing (flat top, arched, and spear top styles)
- Pool enclosures (code-compliant flush bottom rail with self-closing gates)
- HOA community fencing (matching existing neighborhood standards)
- Commercial property perimeters (offices, churches, schools, medical facilities)
- Estate and luxury property fencing (tall panels with decorative elements)
- Public and municipal fencing (parks, government buildings, utility sites)
Ready to See What Ornamental Iron Looks Like on Your Property?
We will walk your property, discuss your goals, and provide a detailed estimate with no pressure and no surprises.
Request a Call to speak with our team, or Get an Instant Quote by drawing your fence line on a map of your property. You can also call us directly at (918) 437-1671.
Every new fence installation is backed by the Empire Fence warranty and earns the Gold Seal Certificate of Excellence, verifying that your fence meets or exceeds our rigorous quality standards.
Every new fence installation is backed by the Empire Fence warranty and earns the Gold Seal Certificate of Excellence, verifying that your fence meets or exceeds our rigorous quality standards.
Empire Fence has been building fences in Tulsa and northeast Oklahoma since 1955. We are the largest residential fence contractor in the region, with 70+ years of experience and hundreds of completed ornamental iron projects across the metro.
