Custom iron railings, entry gates, and ornamental fencing — fabricated and installed for the Peninsula's coastal conditions. Every piece sealed and finished to stand up to salt air.
Iron work on the Peninsula requires a different approach than inland installations. The coating system matters as much as the fabrication — salt air attacks unprotected metal fast.
From ornamental entry gates to code-compliant deck railings, every iron element we build is fabricated to fit the structure it serves and finished to last in this climate. We specify and apply finish systems designed for coastal exposure — hot-dipped galvanizing or multi-stage powder coating depending on the application and exposure level. A gate that looks great on installation day but starts rusting at the welds two years later is a finish system failure, not a fabrication one. We do not cut corners on the coating.
Custom entry gates are one of the most impactful improvements you can make to a Peninsula property — they define the entry, provide real security, and last for decades when built correctly. We fabricate single and double swing gates, slide gates for driveway applications, and pedestrian walk gates in a range of profiles from simple flat-bar to ornamental spear-top. Hardware is specified for the gate weight and use frequency — residential entry gates and high-cycle driveway gates have different requirements and we build accordingly. Where automation is wanted, we coordinate with gate operator suppliers for a clean, integrated installation.
Iron deck and stair railings pair naturally with our redwood deck and stair work — a steel railing on a wood deck is both a code-compliant guardrail and a design statement. We build wall-mounted and post-mounted railing systems, and we can match profiles and finishes to existing iron elements elsewhere on the property. For properties in fire hazard zones, iron and steel fencing also qualifies as a Zone Zero non-combustible solution at the property line.
Every material has a place — the right choice depends on your property, your city's codes, and what you are trying to accomplish.
Redwood is native to Northern California — dimensionally stable in coastal humidity, naturally resistant to the conditions that degrade other wood species, and takes finish well. Con-Heart grade is what we specify for structural fence applications — clear of knots, cut from the heartwood, consistent face from board to board.
Board-on-Board is the most popular layout on the Peninsula — alternating boards on both sides of the stringer create full privacy from every angle while allowing airflow. Dog-Ear single-face is a clean traditional look that works well on flat lots and urban properties.
Posts are concrete-set at appropriate depth for your soil and fence height. On rocky or unstable Peninsula soils we use steel post systems that anchor without a full concrete pour. All hardware is hot-dipped galvanized or stainless — standard hardware corrodes fast in coastal air.
Redwood can be left to weather naturally to a silver-gray patina, sealed clear to preserve the warm tone, or finished with a penetrating stain. A properly built redwood fence handles Peninsula conditions with minimal maintenance when finished correctly from the start.
A privacy fence is defined by function — full visual screening from ground to top rail — not by a single material. We build privacy fences in redwood, composite board systems, and vinyl depending on the property and what the owner is after. The layout — Board-on-Board, solid-face, or shadowbox — determines the privacy level and how the fence responds to coastal wind.
Most Peninsula cities allow 6-foot privacy fencing in rear and side yards without a permit. Front yard heights are regulated — typically 3 to 4 feet. Corner lots have additional sight-line rules. We pull every permit required and handle all coordination with your city's building department.
Redwood is the traditional choice and the one we build most often. Composite board systems are a strong alternative where low maintenance is the priority. Vinyl is available but we specify it selectively — it can be problematic on exposed hillside lots with significant wind loading.
Every privacy fence we build can be paired with walk gates, double drive gates, or combination setups — frames built from the same material as the fence, reinforced at the corners, hung on heavy-duty hardware rated for the gate weight.
Pool fencing on the Peninsula is a permitted, inspected installation. California code and local amendments establish specific requirements for height, post spacing, picket gap, self-closing gates, and latch placement. We build every pool enclosure to pass inspection on the first visit. See our Pool & Safety fencing page for full detail.
Pool fencing is most commonly built in aluminum or glass panel systems. We also build code-compliant wood pool fences where the design and site conditions support it.
Pool gates must be self-closing, self-latching, and open away from the pool. Latch placement is specified by code. We supply and install hardware that meets or exceeds California requirements and holds up in the pool environment without corroding.
A pool fence permit is required in every Peninsula city. We handle the application, coordinate with the building department, and schedule the inspection.
A significant portion of the Peninsula — particularly the hillside areas of Pacifica, San Bruno, Millbrae, and unincorporated San Mateo County — sits within CAL FIRE High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Fencing is included in the material restrictions. Iron and steel fencing qualifies as non-combustible and is one of the most straightforward ways to meet Zone Zero requirements. See our Zone Zero non-combustible fencing page for full detail.
Non-combustible fencing systems include aluminum, steel, masonry, and specific composite products tested and listed for fire-zone use. We specify and install products that meet California fire code requirements and will clear your city's building department review.
Non-combustible does not mean industrial or plain. Powder-coated aluminum and steel systems are available in a range of profiles and colors that work with both contemporary and traditional Peninsula architecture.
Fire-zone fence permits require material documentation. We maintain the product specs and material certifications for everything we install and include that documentation in the permit package.
The questions we hear most — before the estimate, during the build, and after.
We install redwood and cedar privacy fences, pool safety fences, ornamental iron and steel fences, automatic and manual gates, and non-combustible fencing for WUI and Zone 0 fire hazard zones. We select materials based on your site, HOA rules, and local requirements.
It depends on height, location, and your city. Most Peninsula cities allow fences up to 6 feet in rear and side yards without a permit, but front yard fences and fences near property lines often have stricter rules. We confirm what applies to your specific address at the estimate.
A properly installed redwood or cedar fence typically lasts 15 to 20 years with basic maintenance — occasional cleaning and a coat of sealer every few years. Heart redwood is naturally rot-resistant. Posts set in concrete with proper drainage are the single biggest factor in fence longevity.
Yes. We do partial replacements, post replacements, and section repairs regularly. We’ll assess the existing fence and let you know whether a repair or a full replacement is the better long-term value for your situation.
Zone 0 refers to the immediate 0–5 foot zone around a structure in a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) area. California fire code increasingly requires non-combustible materials in this zone. We install qualifying metal, concrete, and masonry fence systems for properties in Pacifica, Brisbane, and other hillside Peninsula cities subject to these regulations.
Yes. We install slide gates, swing gates, and driveway entry systems with electric operators. We handle the ironwork, the motor installation, and the wiring rough-in. For low-voltage and smart-home integration we coordinate with your electrician or can recommend one.
This varies by city and zoning. In most cases a fence can be built directly on the property line, but setback rules and neighbor consent requirements differ. We help you understand what’s allowed before the project starts so there are no disputes after.
Free estimates on all fencing, decking, hardscape, and custom build projects across the Peninsula.
