An iron pedestrian gate is the first thing visitors touch when they arrive, and the last line of security between the street and your front door. It should look the part, open smoothly every day and stand up to San Diego's sun and salt air for decades.
Fred's Fencing Inc. has fabricated iron gates in San Diego County since 1984. Every gate is designed to your opening, welded in our own 12,000 sq ft Santee facility, finished with a 3-stage powder coating process and installed by our own crew. Iron gates are our core specialty, and it shows in the details.
Iron gates represent our core specialty, and we take pride in offering a diverse range of options to accommodate any application:
Each gate is meticulously measured for height, width, and swing or slide direction to fit your space perfectly. Our custom manufacturing process adheres to the specified scope and design, including powder coating finishes tailored to your color selection.
From the front walk to the pool, the courtyard and the commercial entry, each one is built for the way it is used every day.
The gate between the sidewalk and your front door. Most iron pedestrian gates are 3 to 4 feet wide, which is wide enough for people, strollers and deliveries. We design each one to suit the architecture of the home, from simple flat-top pickets to scrolled Spanish Revival designs.
Iron gates for courtyards, patios and garden entries, where the gate is part of the view. Arched tops, finials, scrollwork, collars and decorative castings are all fabricated in our shop.
Two leaves that open together for a wider entry, typically 5 to 8 feet in total. One leaf is held in place with a drop rod, so the other works as an everyday walk gate.
Solid or semi-solid iron gates that block views into your yard or courtyard. Privacy infill options are covered in detail below.
Heavy-gauge steel frames, close picket spacing, tamper-resistant hardware and lock boxes that protect the latch from being reached through the gate. Security gates pair well with our iron window and door bars for full entry protection.
Self-closing, self-latching iron gates built to California's pool rules, covered below. We space the pickets so a 4-inch sphere cannot pass through, which keeps small children from slipping between the bars.
Gates for apartment complexes, HOAs, offices, schools and retail properties, with panic bars, keypad entry and electric strikes. Our commercial crews handle multi-gate projects and heavy-traffic entries.
An open picket gate is beautiful, but it does not stop anyone from seeing into your yard. Iron pedestrian privacy gates add a solid or semi-solid infill to a welded steel frame, so you get the strength of iron with the privacy of a solid door.
| Privacy Infill | Privacy Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|
 Solid steel sheet |
Full | Side yards, trash areas, complete screening |
 Horizontal steel slats |
Near-full, with small gaps | Modern homes and clean, contemporary entries |
| Perforated steel | Partial; light and air pass through | Courtyards that need airflow |
| Laser-cut decorative panels | Partial, with a custom pattern | Statement entries, monograms and artwork |
 Steel frame with wood infill |
Full | A warm wood look on a frame that will not sag |
A few things to plan for with privacy gates:
Wind load: A solid gate catches wind like a sail. On exposed lots, we use heavier hinge posts and stronger hinges, or a perforated or slatted infill that lets wind through.
Weight: Solid infill adds weight, so we size the frame, posts and hinges for it from the start.
Security: A privacy gate hides the latch from the street, which makes it harder for anyone to reach through and open it.
Our custom iron products are meticulously crafted at our expansive 12,000 sq ft facility, ensuring superior quality and precision. We exclusively use premium domestic pre-galvanized steel tubing for durability and longevity.
Every weld is completed all the way around the structure, leaving no gaps or weak points. Before powder coating, all welds undergo thorough grinding and sanding to achieve a seamless finish.
We also offer unique-order colors for a nominal fee, so you can customize your project to perfection. Count on us to deliver custom iron products of exceptional quality, craftsmanship and aesthetic appeal.
Each layer is baked on in our Santee shop before the gate ever leaves for your property.
Steel rusts when moisture reaches bare metal. Zinc protects steel by corroding first, in place of the steel underneath, and powder coat seals the zinc away from moisture and salt. Industry research on these "duplex" systems shows that zinc and paint together last 1.5 to 2.3 times longer than the two coatings would last separately. That is why we start with pre-galvanized tubing and add a zinc primer before the color coat.
Almost every "wrought iron" gate sold today is actually steel. Commercial production of true wrought iron largely ended decades ago, and modern ornamental gates are fabricated from steel tubing and bar. Steel is stronger and more consistent, and with galvanizing and powder coating it resists rust far better than old wrought iron ever did. We use the term "iron" the way the industry does: for the classic ornamental look, built in modern steel.
Gravity and keyed latches: simple, reliable options for homes
Lock boxes: steel boxes welded around the latch, so it cannot be reached through the pickets
Mechanical code locks: keyless entry with a push-button code and no wiring
Electronic keypad locks: individual codes for family, guests and service providers
Electric strikes: release the latch from a keypad, intercom or button inside the house
Magnetic locks: a common choice for commercial gates with card readers
Panic bars: let people exit quickly and safely without a key, common on commercial and apartment gates
Self-closing hinges: pull the gate shut behind every visitor
Unlike vehicle gates, pedestrian gates are not covered by the UL 325 gate operator standard. That makes them simpler to secure, but commercial gates on exit paths must still let people leave quickly without special knowledge or effort. We design every commercial gate around the exit and fire rules for your building.
For gates that open for vehicles, our automated driveway gate systems cover operators, sensors and remotes.
Pedestrian gates on accessible routes at commercial and multi-family properties must meet ADA requirements. The key ones for gates are:
We size the gate leaf, hinge side and hardware so the finished opening meets these rules.
California requires pool access gates to open away from the pool and to be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch at least 60 inches above the ground. If the release is lower, it must sit on the pool side, at least 3 inches below the top of the gate, with no opening wider than ½ inch within 18 inches of the release. Iron gates also need picket spacing that will not let a 4-inch sphere pass through.
We build iron pool gates with self-closing hinges and pool-rated latches, and we test every gate to make sure it closes and latches on its own from any open position. Each gate works as part of a complete pool barrier that meets code.
Self-closing · self-latching · opens away from the pool
From the coast to the backcountry, every gate is specified for the salt, sun and fire risk at your address.
Within a few miles of the ocean, salt air attacks bare steel and cheap hardware fast. Our zinc-plus-powder coat finish protects the gate itself, and on coastal jobs we use stainless steel hinges and latches so the hardware lasts as long as the gate.
San Diego's strong sun fades and chalks low-grade finishes. Powder coat is baked on as a solid film, so it holds its color and gloss far longer than spray paint.
Steel does not burn. In high fire hazard areas, California's Zone 0 rules restrict combustible materials within 5 feet of a home, which makes an iron side gate attached to the house a natural fit.
We measure height, width and the swing or slide direction, and check the posts, walls or pillars the gate will hang from. For pool and commercial gates, we confirm the code requirements first.
On siteYou choose the style, infill, hardware and powder coat color from over 250 in-stock options. You get a written, itemized quote.
Your choicesWe cut and weld the gate, grind and sand every weld, then apply our 3-stage powder coating process in Santee.
Santee shopOur crew sets the posts or wall mounts, hangs the gate and adjusts the hinges so it swings freely and closes evenly.
On siteWe install the latch, lock or access control, then test the gate until it opens, closes and locks cleanly every time.
Hand-offCustom iron pedestrian gates and privacy gates sit at the upper end of these ranges, and access control adds to the total.
| Gate | Typical Installed Cost (National) |
|---|---|
| Basic ornamental metal walk gate | $350 to $900 |
| Steel or wrought iron walk gate | $700 to $2,000 |
| Gate installation, all types (average) | $879 to $3,814, about $2,322 on average |
These factors move the price most:
You get a written, itemized quote after a free site visit.
Get a Free Gate EstimateOlder iron gates often just need attention, not replacement. Our iron gate repair crew fixes:
Sagging gates: rehung, with worn hinges replaced and posts reinforced
Broken welds and pickets: re-welded and ground smooth
Rust and peeling paint: stripped, treated and refinished
Latches that do not catch: realigned or replaced with new hardware
Outdated locks: upgraded to keypads, electric strikes or lock boxes
If a gate is badly rusted at the base or bent out of square, a new powder-coated gate is usually the better long-term value.
A few minutes a season keeps the powder coat sealed and the hardware moving freely.
Every few months: Rinse the gate with fresh water, especially within a few miles of the coast, to clear salt film.
Twice a year: Wash it with mild soap and a soft cloth, and lubricate the hinges and latch.
Every year: Check for chips or scratches in the finish, and touch them up before moisture reaches the steel.
Keep it dry at the base: Aim sprinklers away from the gate and posts.
Avoid: Wire brushes, abrasive pads and harsh solvents, which can damage the powder coat.
Designed, welded, finished and installed by one family-run company in Santee.
Since 1984:more than 40 years fabricating iron gates in San Diego County
Our own 12,000 sq ft facility:every gate designed, welded and finished in Santee
Premium materials:domestic pre-galvanized steel tubing and full-perimeter welds
3-stage powder coating:sandblast, zinc primer and color coat, with 250+ in-stock colors
Full access control:keypads, code locks, electric strikes and panic bars
Licensed, bonded and insured:CSLB License #529726
Iron is one of many materials we build in. Our full range of gates also includes driveway gates, tan vinyl gates and chain link gates, along with commercial-grade trash enclosures.
Iron pedestrian gates we fabricated in Santee and installed across San Diego County. Tap any photo to enlarge it.
Nationally, a basic ornamental metal walk gate typically costs $350 to $900 installed, while steel or wrought iron gates run about $700 to $2,000. Custom designs, privacy infill and access control add to that. We give a written, itemized quote after a free site visit.
Almost never today. Modern "wrought iron" gates are fabricated from steel, which is stronger and more consistent. We use premium domestic pre-galvanized steel tubing, so you get the classic ornamental look with modern strength and rust protection.
We start with pre-galvanized steel tubing, weld all the way around every joint, then apply a 3-stage powder coating: sandblasting, a zinc primer and a color coat. Zinc and powder coat together last far longer than either one alone. On coastal jobs, we also use stainless hardware.
Yes. Iron pedestrian privacy gates use solid steel sheet, horizontal steel slats, perforated steel or laser-cut panels inside a welded frame. Solid infill gives full privacy, while perforated and slatted designs let light and air through and reduce wind load.
We install keyed and gravity latches, lock boxes, mechanical code locks, electronic keypads, electric strikes, magnetic locks and panic bars. Electric strikes can be released from a keypad, intercom or button inside the house.
Most residential pedestrian gates are 3 to 4 feet wide. Commercial gates on accessible routes need at least 32 inches of clear opening, with hardware between 34 and 48 inches above the ground. Double pedestrian gates usually span 5 to 8 feet.
We stock over 250 powder coat colors, from classic black and bronze to whites, grays and custom tones. Unique-order colors are available for a nominal fee if you need an exact match to your home's trim or architecture.
Yes. An iron pool gate must open away from the pool and be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch at least 60 inches above the ground. Picket spacing must also block a 4-inch sphere. We build and test every pool gate to these rules.
Tell us about your entry, whether it is a front walkway, a courtyard, a privacy gate or a commercial access point. We will measure it, help you choose a design and color, and give you a written, itemized quote.
Call 619-562-5331 or request a free on-site estimate. Visit our shop at 10560 Kenney St, Santee, CA 92071 to see finishes and hardware in person.