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Custom metal fencing in Metro Vancouver
Metal fencing in Metro Vancouver is not one product, it is a broad category that runs from a clean horizontal slat fence on a new Burnaby build to a perimeter security fence around a commercial facility in Richmond. The fabrication logic, the material choices, and the permitting all change depending on what the fence is supposed to do. This hub covers the full picture for residential and light-commercial metal fencing.
We fabricate custom metal fences at our Burnaby shop and install across Metro Vancouver. Projects range from standalone fence sections on residential lots to full fence-and-gate systems where the fence panels, driveway gate, and pedestrian gates are all designed as a unit.
What types of custom metal fences are available in Metro Vancouver?
| Type | Design character | Common heights | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horizontal slat | Modern, contemporary | 3 to 6 ft residential; up to 8 ft privacy | Most popular Metro Vancouver residential spec; good on sloped lots |
| Square picket | Traditional, heritage | 4 to 5 ft typical | Suits character homes in Burnaby, New Westminster, East Van |
| Solid privacy panel | Maximum privacy | 5 to 8 ft | Welded plate or tight flat-bar infill; requires careful permitting |
| Perforated / mesh infill | Contemporary; partial privacy | 4 to 6 ft | Commercial or design-forward residential; good wind permeability |
| Commercial security | Industrial, high-security | 6 to 10 ft | Heavy posts, large sections, anti-climb design |
Why is horizontal slat fencing the most popular metal fence style in Metro Vancouver?
If you drive through new residential developments in Burnaby, Coquitlam, or East Vancouver, horizontal slat steel fencing is what you will see most often. Clean horizontal flat bars or rectangular tube sections, welded to vertical posts, powder-coated black or dark grey. It works on modern builds, fits the BC Building Code front-yard height limits, and holds up well in the rain.
The key variable is infill spacing. Tighter spacing gives more privacy but catches more wind load and adds cost. Wider spacing reduces cost but reduces privacy at eye level. For sloped lots, and Metro Vancouver has a lot of them, horizontal slat fencing requires stepped sections or raked sections depending on the grade change and the design preference.
Should a metal fence and gate be fabricated by the same shop?
A fence built alongside a gate, from the same shop, in the same material and design spec, looks and functions as a system. Post profiles match. The top rail height carries across. The finish is applied under the same conditions with the same coating. When a fence is sourced separately from the gate, bought from a supplier, installed by a different trade, the visual coherence is almost always off.
We build fence-and-gate systems as standard practice. If you are planning a driveway gate and a perimeter fence, quoting both together with us means the whole site reads as a considered design rather than assembled parts.
What finish and material hold up best on metal fences in Vancouver's wet climate?
Metro Vancouver gets approximately 1,200 mm of annual rainfall. That is a lot of moisture cycling through an exposed steel surface. The material and finish choice matters more here than in drier climates. Our materials and finishes guide covers what works where and why.
Do I need a permit to install a metal fence in Vancouver or Burnaby?
Height limits for metal fences vary by municipality and by location on the lot. Most Metro Vancouver cities allow front-yard fences to 1.2 m (about 4 ft) and rear/side yard fences to 1.8 m (about 6 ft) without a permit. Commercial fencing, fences on corner lots, and anything in a heritage area or near an arterial road has additional rules. Read the permits guide before you design a fence, getting the height wrong means the fence has to come down. Our permits and bylaws guide covers the key Metro Vancouver municipalities.
Related services
- Custom driveway gates, often paired with fence projects
- Pedestrian and side gates
- Custom railings, for balconies, stairs, and guards
- Miscellaneous metals, custom components, bollards, site metalwork
FAQs
What types of metal fences do you build?
We fabricate horizontal slat fences (the most common contemporary Metro Vancouver residential spec), square picket fences for traditional and heritage properties, solid privacy panels (welded plate or closely spaced flat bar), perforated or mesh infill panels, and commercial security fencing with heavy posts and larger sections. The design is custom, we build to what the property needs, not to a catalogue of preset options.
How do I choose between steel and aluminum for a fence?
Steel is stronger, easier to weld, and takes custom design detail better than aluminum. It is the right choice for any fence where rigidity matters or where the design includes tight radii, custom profiles, or integrated gate hardware. Aluminum is lighter, naturally corrosion-resistant, and requires no paint or galvanizing, it is appropriate for straightforward residential fences without custom detail, particularly on sites where maintenance is a concern. Most Metro Vancouver custom fences are steel, finished with a powder coat over primer or a duplex galvanized finish. See <a href="/metal-fencing/materials-finishes/">the materials guide</a> for the full comparison.
Do I need a permit for a metal fence in Vancouver or Burnaby?
It depends on the height and location. Most cities allow front-yard fences up to 1.2 m without a building permit and rear-yard fences up to 1.8 to 2.0 m. Fences above these heights, fences in corner-lot visibility triangles, and commercial fences usually require a permit. Vancouver and Burnaby have different height limits and setback rules, our <a href="/metal-fencing/permits-bylaws/">permits and bylaws guide</a> covers each Metro Vancouver municipality.
How long does a custom metal fence take to fabricate and install?
A standard residential metal fence runs 4 to 8 weeks from approved drawings to installation. Fence sections are fabricated at our Burnaby shop, pre-finished, and installed as a unit on site. Post footings are poured before the install date. The total timeline depends on design complexity, total linear footage, and scheduling.
How long does a steel fence last in Vancouver's climate?
A properly finished steel fence lasts 20 to 30+ years in Metro Vancouver conditions. The key is the finish: powder coat over primer is the standard residential spec. For waterfront properties, coastal exposures on the North Shore and in West Vancouver, or commercial sites where maintenance cannot be guaranteed, a duplex finish, hot-dip galvanized first, then powder coat, dramatically extends service life. See our <a href="/metal-fencing/materials-finishes/">materials and finishes guide</a> for the corrosion performance detail.
Can you integrate a gate into a metal fence design?
Yes, and this is one of the reasons we build fences alongside our gate work. A fence and gate fabricated at the same shop, from the same materials and to the same design spec, will be visually coherent and structurally compatible. We regularly build fence sections alongside driveway gates and pedestrian gates as part of the same project. The fence design can be detailed to match the gate infill pattern, top rail profile, and post cap detail.
Are you certified to fabricate metal fences?
Yes. Jeff and Simon Ironworks is C.W.B. certified to <a href="https://www.cwbgroup.org/services/certification/company-certification/csa-w471-fusion-welding-of-steel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CSA W47.1</a>. For residential fences, this certification is not typically a code requirement, but it means every weld in the fence frame is performed by a qualified welder under a documented procedure. That matters for the structural posts, gate hinge plates, and any welded connection that takes repeated load.
Get in touch
Need a fabrication quote?
Send drawings, photos, or even a rough description. We will review what you have and follow up with a quote or a conversation about next steps.