Short answer: For most West Chester, PA homes, including historic borough rowhomes and pool areas, black aluminum is the practical choice: it gives an iron look, does not rust and costs less. Heavier ornamental steel suits estate entrances, stone-pillar frontages and security needs. Traditional wrought iron is mostly a restoration material today, with HomeGuide citing $50–$85 per installed foot nationally.
Black metal fencing is everywhere in West Chester, PA, from the brick sidewalks of the borough to the stone pillars of township estates. When people ask about “wrought iron,” they usually mean the look: slim pickets, finials and a dark finish. This page from 76 FENCE West Chester separates the look from the material, compares aluminum, ornamental steel and true wrought iron on cost and upkeep, and then recommends one for each situation.
What is the difference between aluminum, steel and wrought iron?
Aluminum is light and rustproof; ornamental steel is heavier and stronger but needs rust protection; true wrought iron is a traditional hand-worked metal rarely made for new residential fences.
Most fences sold today as “wrought iron” are actually steel, often powder-coated. Genuine wrought iron survives mainly on older properties and is usually repaired or restored rather than newly installed. What 76 FENCE installs in this category is aluminum and ornamental steel, both of which can be made in historic-looking profiles. Our aluminum and ornamental steel pages describe the options.
How do they compare side by side?
| Factor | Aluminum | Ornamental steel / wrought iron |
|---|---|---|
| Published installed cost | Picket $25–$50; pool $30–$45; ornamental $40–$75; privacy $75–$130 per ft (HomeGuide aluminum, 2026) | Wrought iron $50–$85 per ft (HomeGuide); steel varies by gauge and design |
| Rust | Does not rust | Rusts where the coating is chipped; needs touch-ups |
| Strength | Good for yards, pools and pets | Higher; better for security and impact |
| Weight and gates | Light gates, easy to hang | Heavy gates need substantial posts or pillars |
| Typical lifespan | Metal fences: 20–30+ years, with touch-ups every 3–5 years (76 FENCE guidance) | |
| Historic look | Good iron mimic in black | Most authentic weight and detail |
Costs are national figures, not 76 FENCE prices. Local quotes depend on the yard.
- Most common choice: black aluminum for front yards and pools.
- Front yards: nearby townships usually allow about 4 ft and require an open design, which metal pickets meet easily.
- Pools: openings must not pass a 4-in sphere under the 2018 ISPSC.
- Historic district: a street-visible fence may need HARB review in addition to the $50 zoning review.
- Corners: the borough’s clear-sight-triangle rule (§ 112-805) applies at intersections.
Which suits a historic West Chester home?
Either can, and aluminum in a traditional profile is usually the practical answer. HARB may weigh in if the fence faces the street.
The borough’s historic district is full of Italianate, Federal and Greek Revival houses in brick, stucco and serpentine stone, and a low black fence along the front walk is a familiar sight. Inside the downtown historic district, a front fence that can be seen from the sidewalk may go to HARB as well as through the $50 zoning review, so we confirm that before anything is ordered. Historic boards in Pennsylvania generally accept iron or iron-look metal more readily than vinyl or chain link, but the specifics are set locally. See the HARB guide and our historic district page.
What local conditions affect a metal fence quote?
Brick sidewalks, rock, slopes and gate weight.
Along borough frontages, posts sit close to brick sidewalks, and sidewalk work has its own borough specification, so we set posts without disturbing the walk. In the schist uplands around the borough, rock can turn an easy auger hole into a core-drilling job. Metal panels can usually be racked to follow moderate slopes, which helps on rolling township lots. Heavy steel driveway gates often hang from masonry pillars or oversized posts, which adds cost compared with a light aluminum walk gate. See our gate installation page.
How does upkeep differ between aluminum and steel?
Aluminum needs a wash and little else; steel needs a wash plus regular checks for chips in the coating.
76 FENCE’s general guidance is to wash any fence once a year and touch up metal every three to five years. On aluminum, touch-ups are cosmetic, since the metal underneath does not rust. On steel, a chip left open lets rust creep under the finish, and road salt near borough streets and driveways speeds that up. Gates deserve a look each season on both: hinges and latches take the most wear, and a heavy steel gate that starts to drag puts strain on its posts. If you would rather not think about rust at all, aluminum is the simpler material to own. Our maintenance calendar lays out a seasonal routine.
Which should you choose?
Here is how we recommend it by situation.
- Borough rowhome or twin front yard: aluminum. Light, rustproof, and an iron look at a lower cost.
- Pool enclosure: aluminum. It will not rust near chlorinated water, and pool styles are built for code spacing. See pool fence cost.
- Estate entrance with stone pillars: ornamental steel, where weight and presence matter and the gates are large.
- Security for a business or exposed property: ornamental steel.
- Dog yard: aluminum works for most dogs; choose closer picket spacing for small breeds.
- Restoring an original iron fence: talk to a specialist in historic ironwork; matching new sections in aluminum or steel is an option where full restoration is not practical.
How do you get a price?
Book a free estimate. Our team measures the run, checks HARB, sight-triangle and township rules, and prices aluminum and steel side by side if both make sense. Financing through Wisetack is available, subject to credit approval; see financing. Nearby, see our West Chester Borough page.
Walk the fence line with us.
A free on-site estimate in West Chester, PA and the surrounding townships. We check the rules for your street, handle the permit and HOA paperwork, and call PA One Call before we dig.
Sources & references
- HomeGuide: Aluminum fence cost (2026)
- HomeGuide: Fence installation cost (2026)
- West Chester Borough § 112-804/805 (fences, sight triangle)
- Borough of West Chester fee schedule
Codes and ordinances change. This page is general information, not legal advice; confirm requirements with your municipality.