Driveway & Garden Gates
Single and dual-leaf gates, walk-through garden gates, and automated entryway systems with hand-forged detailing.
Service · Ornamental Ironwork
Hand-Forged Ironwork That Lasts Generations
Ornamental ironwork is where craftsmanship shows. Using traditional blacksmithing techniques alongside modern fabrication, we design and forge gates, railings, fences, and decorative pieces that elevate a property and hold up to Maine's weather for decades.
What We Forge
Every ornamental piece is designed around its setting — the architecture, the scale of the space, and the way it will be used. Below are the categories of ironwork we most often build.
Interior Railings
Stair railings, balcony guards, and mezzanine handrails that combine safety with sculptural interest.
Exterior Railings
Porch railings, deck guards, balcony railings, and rooftop guards built for coastal and inland conditions.
Decorative Fencing
Wrought iron fencing, garden enclosures, pool fencing, and picket-style ornamental fence runs.
Fireplace & Interior Pieces
Screens, tool sets, log holders, and hand-forged interior accents in traditional or contemporary styles.
Garden Structures
Arbors, trellises, pergola brackets, plant hangers, and sculptural landscape features.
What Sets Our Ironwork Apart
Anyone can weld decorative scrolls together. What separates hand-forged ornamental work from mass-produced iron is in the details — the taper, the transition, the finish. Here's what every piece includes:
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Genuine Hand Forging
Scrolls, tapers, and decorative ends are forged by hand on the anvil — not bought as pre-made castings. This gives each piece a unique character you can see up close.
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Site-Specific Design
We design around your architecture and setting. We take full measurements, study sight lines, and produce drawings before we cut a single bar.
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Traditional Joinery
Where appropriate, we use traditional joinery — collars, wraps, mortise-and-tenon — over simple butt welds. Stronger, and far more beautiful.
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Corrosion Protection
For exterior pieces, we use a multi-stage protection system: sandblast, prime, and finish with either hot-dip galvanizing, powder coat, or a traditional hand-applied paint system.
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Hand-Applied Finishes
Wax, oil, patina, and hand-brushed metal finishes are available for interior pieces that should age gracefully.
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Installation by Our Crew
We don't hand off to subcontractors. Our own crew handles delivery, anchoring, and final adjustments on site.
Materials & Ironwork Styles
Ornamental ironwork is defined by the material and the style. We work in a range of both and can match nearly any architectural period.
Wrought Iron
Traditional hand-forged material with a fibrous grain that resists corrosion better than mild steel. Beautiful when left exposed.
Best for: Historic reproduction, high-end ornamental work
Mild Steel
The modern successor to wrought iron. Strong, weldable, and affordable — the material of choice for most contemporary ironwork.
Best for: Railings, gates, fencing, furniture
Cast Iron Elements
Cast finials, rosettes, and pickets often complement forged bars in traditional designs. We source from domestic foundries.
Best for: Victorian, Colonial, and Gothic revival styles
Traditional Style
Scrolls, twists, spears, and flourishes inspired by historic European ironwork. Timeless and detailed.
Best for: Historic homes, estates, gardens
Transitional Style
A middle ground — clean lines with restrained ornament. Fits both traditional and modern architecture.
Best for: Renovated homes, mixed neighborhoods
Contemporary Style
Minimal ornament, geometric forms, often in flat bar and tube. Bold and architectural.
Best for: Modern homes, commercial interiors
Designing & Forging Ironwork
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01
Site Visit & Discussion
We visit your property to see the setting, take measurements, and discuss style direction. Bring photos of ironwork you admire and any architectural details you want to harmonize with.
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02
Design & Drawing
We create drawings of the proposed piece in the actual setting or to scale, then refine until you approve. Material and finish samples are provided for review.
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03
Forge & Fabricate
Once approved, we forge scrolls and details on the anvil and weld everything into the final assembly. Most ornamental pieces take 3–8 weeks depending on complexity.
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04
Finishing
Sandblast, prime, and finish with your chosen system — powder coat, paint, hand-rubbed wax, or a galvanized/coated combination for exterior work.
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05
Delivery & Install
We deliver and install on-site using proper anchors and finishes. For gates, we coordinate automation and access hardware if specified.
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06
Care Instructions
You receive a written care guide and touch-up materials. Most ironwork needs only occasional inspection and light cleaning to last decades.
Ornamental Ironwork Pricing
Ornamental work is quoted per project based on complexity of design, size, finish, and site conditions. The ranges below offer a general guide.
Project Type
Typical Range
Lead Time
Garden gate (walk-through, single leaf)
$1,200 – $3,800
3–5 weeks
Driveway gate (single, manual, ornamental)
$4,500 – $14,000
5–9 weeks
Interior stair railing (per linear foot)
$220 – $480
3–6 weeks
Exterior porch or balcony railing (per linear foot)
$180 – $400
4–7 weeks
Decorative fence run (per linear foot, installed)
$150 – $380
4–8 weeks
Fireplace screen (single panel to triple)
$650 – $3,200
3–5 weeks
Custom arbor or trellis
$2,200 – $9,500
5–9 weeks
Historic reproductions, unusual joinery, and complex decorative work fall at the high end of these ranges or are quoted individually. We provide a fixed written price before any work begins.
Ornamental Ironwork FAQ
Can you match the style of my historic home?
Yes. We regularly work on homes from the Colonial, Victorian, and Arts & Crafts periods. Bring us photos, or we can visit and study existing details — we will design to harmonize with the original ironwork.
Is ornamental ironwork safe for coastal properties?
Absolutely, with the right protection. For coastal installs, we use hot-dip galvanizing followed by a marine-grade powder coat or paint system. This resists salt air and sea spray for decades.
How long does ornamental ironwork last?
A properly forged and finished piece will last 50 years or more with minimal maintenance. Many of the historic pieces we restore are over 100 years old and still structurally sound.
Can you automate a driveway gate?
Yes. We coordinate with all major gate automation brands (LiftMaster, FAAC, Nice, etc.) and can specify hardware, sensors, and access control for your project. Automation is quoted separately.
Do you offer any maintenance after installation?
Yes. We offer a maintenance visit option for exterior ironwork — typically every 3–5 years for a light cleaning, touch-up, and inspection. This extends finish life significantly.
Can ornamental ironwork be repaired, or should it be replaced?
Most ornamental ironwork can be repaired and often should be preserved. Historic pieces especially should be restored rather than replaced. See our Repairs & Restoration service for details.
What's the minimum order for ornamental work?
Our minimum shop order for custom ornamental work is $500. Small pieces like fireplace tool sets or garden hooks are always welcome.
Let's Design Something Beautiful
Whether it's a garden gate, an interior railing, or a full exterior ironwork package, we'd love to help you build it. Consultations are free within 30 miles of Portland.
Shop Hours
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday: Closed