Aluminum & Ornamental Fencing in Jersey City, NJ

Aluminum and ornamental fencing is what most Jersey City blocks already have out front: a low run of black pickets between the sidewalk and the stoop, often with a matching gate. On older streets in Downtown and around the parks, many of these are original cast or wrought iron. When one is rusted past saving, or a house never had one, aluminum is the usual replacement, because it gives the same look without rusting through.

Aluminum, steel or wrought iron

• Aluminum: lightweight, does not rust, powder-coated in black or other colors. The lowest-upkeep choice and the most common for front yards.
• Steel (tubular or mild steel): heavier and more rigid than aluminum, usually galvanized and powder-coated. Stronger against impact, but scratches must be touched up to keep rust out.
• Wrought iron: solid, heavy and traditional; custom fabricated and the most expensive. It needs periodic scraping and painting.

What the zoning code asks for out front

Jersey City's zoning code treats front-yard fences, and fences near the public sidewalk, differently from the rest of the lot, with its own standards for height, material, finish and gate swing. Those details decide the design, so we check the current requirements for your address with the Division of Zoning and handle zoning approval. In practice, most new front fences here are low, dark-finished metal pickets that line up with the neighbors' fences, with gates that swing into the yard rather than over the sidewalk.

Historic districts

If your home is in one of the city's historic districts, such as Hamilton Park, Harsimus Cove, Paulus Hook, Van Vorst Park or West Bergen-East Lincoln Park, a front-yard fence can need review by the Historic Preservation Office. Simple picket styles in a dark finish that echo the neighboring fences tend to fit best. We will tell you at the estimate if review applies and build the schedule around it.

Salt air

Near the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay, salt in the air attacks bare steel and cheap fasteners. Aluminum itself does not rust, which is a large part of its appeal close to the water. We still pay attention to the parts that can: the screws, hinges and latches. Stainless or coated hardware keeps rust stains from running down a new fence.

Installing over concrete and stone

Many front yards here are paved, or the fence runs along a stone or concrete curb. Posts can be core-drilled and set into existing concrete, surface-mounted with base plates, or set in new footings where there is soil. Each method has a different look and strength, and we explain the options at the estimate.

Pool and child safety

Aluminum is also a common pool fence. A fence that serves as a pool barrier needs a building permit in Jersey City and must meet code requirements for height, gaps and self-closing, self-latching gates.