Wrought Iron Fabrication & Repair
WROUGHT IRON FABRICATION & REPAIR IN Johnstown, CO
True wrought iron, the fibrous, slag-laced metal of old blacksmith shops, has not been produced commercially in the United States for decades, so nearly every modern wrought iron gate or railing is actually mild steel shaped in the traditional style. Rhoades Welding provides wrought iron fabrication and repair in Johnstown, CO, building custom gates, fence panels, railings, window guards, and decorative accents. We also restore rusted, bent, or broken ironwork so it matches the original pieces. Each project is fabricated with clean welds and protective finishes made to hold up through Colorado sun, snow, hail, and freeze and thaw cycles for many years.
CURB APPEAL AND SECURITY IN THE SAME PIECE OF METAL.
A well-made iron gate tells visitors the property is cared for and tells intruders it will not be easy. Scrolls, pickets, finials, and collars add character, while heavy bar stock and solid welds keep the structure rigid. Unlike wood or vinyl, ironwork will not rot, crack in the sun, or blow down in a storm.
We design each piece around your home's architecture, your security needs, and how often the gate or rail gets used, so the finished work looks right and functions smoothly.
- Custom driveway and walk gates
- Ornamental fence panels
- Stair, porch, and balcony railings
- Restoration of rusted or broken ironwork
WROUGHT IRON FABRICATION & REPAIR
IRONWORK THAT GIVES JOHNSTOWN PROPERTIES A FINISHED LOOK.
From a simple picket fence around a front yard to an arched driveway gate with scrollwork, ornamental iron sets the tone for a property. We cut, bend, and weld each component in the shop, grind joints smooth, and assemble panels that sit plumb and level once installed. Gates get heavy-duty hinges and latches sized to their weight, so they swing freely instead of sagging onto the driveway after a single winter.
FINISHED TO SURVIVE THE FRONT RANGE CLIMATE.
Johnstown ironwork faces intense high-altitude sun, sudden hail, heavy spring snow, and repeated freeze and thaw cycles. Those conditions break down weak finishes and let rust creep in at every joint. We prepare the steel carefully, seal welded seams, and apply durable primers and topcoats, with powder coating available through local finishers. Proper drainage at post bases keeps water from pooling where rust usually starts, extending the life of every gate and rail.
OLD IRONWORK DESERVES A WELDER WHO RESPECTS IT.
Restoring a vintage gate or matching a decades-old railing takes patience that production shops rarely offer. Over 6 years of welding in Northern Colorado, our owner has learned to rebuild scrolls, replace missing pickets, and blend new welds into old metal without erasing the character that made the piece worth saving. When new fabrication is the better path, we explain why. Is there a piece of ironwork you would like to bring back?
WHAT QUALITY IRONWORK ADDS TO YOUR PROPERTY
Stronger Security
Solid pickets, tight spacing, and welded frames make gates and fences hard to climb or force. You protect your home, pets, and family without surrounding the property with an unattractive barrier.
Timeless Curb Appeal
Ornamental iron suits traditional, farmhouse, and modern homes alike. A custom gate or railing becomes a signature feature that lifts the entire look of your property from the street.
Long-Lasting Strength
Steel ironwork does not rot, warp, or split like wood, and it resists impacts that crack vinyl. With good finishing, gates and railings stay sturdy for decades of daily use.
Personalized Design
Scrolls, finials, family initials, and custom patterns let your ironwork reflect your taste. No two pieces need to look alike, and the design can echo details already on your home.
Preserved Original Pieces
Restoration saves historic or sentimental ironwork that cannot be replaced off a shelf. Repairing and refinishing keeps the original craftsmanship while making it safe, sturdy, and functional again for daily use.
Higher Property Value
Quality ironwork signals care and permanence to buyers and appraisers. Secure, attractive gates and railings contribute to curb appeal, one of the strongest drivers of first impressions when a home goes on the market.
WHAT WE CRAFT
OUR WROUGHT IRON WORK
Whether you need a new gate built from scratch or a rusted railing brought back to life, these are the ironwork services we provide for homes and businesses across Northern Colorado.
ENTRY GATES
Custom Driveway & Walk Gates
We fabricate single, double, and arched gates sized to your opening, with hinges, latches, and framing built for their weight. Gates can be prepared for automatic openers when you plan to add one.
FENCE PANELS
Ornamental Iron Fencing
Picket, flat-top, spear-top, and decorative panels create secure boundaries around yards, pools, and storefronts. We weld panels to match gate styles so the entire perimeter looks consistent and complete.
RAILINGS
Iron Stair & Porch Railings
Interior and exterior railings are built with sturdy posts, code-height rails, and baluster spacing that keeps children safe. Decorative collars, twists, and scrolls add character to stairs and porches.
WINDOW GUARDS
Window Guards & Security Grilles
Decorative security bars protect ground-level windows and doors without looking institutional. We can include release mechanisms where egress rules require bedroom windows to open quickly from inside during an emergency.
RESTORATION
Ironwork Restoration
Rusted, bent, or broken gates and railings are stripped, straightened, rewelded, and refinished. Missing pickets, scrolls, and finials are fabricated to match, preserving the original design and character.
REPAIR
Wrought Iron Repair
Broken welds, loose posts, sagging gates, and rusted-through bottom rails are repaired quickly, often on site. We match profiles and finishes so repairs blend with the existing ironwork around them.
THE WORD ON OUR WORK
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY.
Our ironwork customers often talk about how a new gate transformed the front of their home or how a restored railing looked better than they expected. Their feedback shows the attention we give to design, fit, and finish on every piece.
Common qUESTIONs
frequently asked
questions.
Ironwork brings up questions about materials, rust, design, and restoration. These are the answers Northern Colorado homeowners and business owners hear from us most often during planning.
What is the difference between wrought iron and steel fencing?
Standard steel fencing prioritizes utility, while wrought iron style work adds decorative elements, heavier bar stock, and precise welded joints for appearance and security. Most modern wrought iron is mild steel shaped in the traditional style.
What is the biggest mistake people make with iron repairs?
Many attempt quick fixes with improper welds or mismatched materials, which weaken the structure and speed up rust. A proper repair removes corrosion, uses compatible steel, and refinishes the area so moisture cannot get back in.
How do I keep wrought iron from rusting?
Inspect the finish each spring, clean off dirt, and touch up chips or scratches before rust spreads. Keeping sprinklers from hitting ironwork and clearing snow from post bases also slows corrosion considerably over time.
Is powder coating better than paint for ironwork?
Powder coating is usually tougher and more uniform than brushed or sprayed paint, especially over a zinc-rich primer. Paint remains easier to touch up on site, so many owners use it for repairs and small pieces.
Can a sagging iron gate be fixed?
Yes. Sagging usually comes from worn hinges, a shifted post, or a gate frame that lacks diagonal bracing. We reset or replace the post, upgrade the hinges, and add bracing so the gate swings level again.
Can old ironwork be restored instead of replaced?
Often, yes. If the main frame is solid, we can straighten bends, replace rusted sections, and fabricate matching pickets or scrolls. Restoration preserves original character that new pieces cannot fully reproduce.
Can Rhoades Welding match my existing ironwork?
Yes. Rhoades Welding studies the pickets, scrolls, spacing, and finish on your current ironwork around Johnstown, CO, then fabricates new gates, panels, or repairs that blend in with the pieces you already have.
Why choose Rhoades Welding for ironwork?
Property owners in Johnstown, CO, trust Rhoades Welding because our owner brings 6 years of welding to every gate, rail, and restoration, handling design, fabrication, and finishing personally for consistent results.
HOW WE WORK
FROM FIRST IDEA TO FINISHED IRONWORK, HERE IS HOW.
STEP 01
WE VISIT AND MEASURE
We look at the opening, existing ironwork, and the architecture of your home or business. Measurements, photos, and notes on how the piece will be used guide every design decision we make on your project.
STEP 02
WE DESIGN THE PIECE
We sketch patterns, picket spacing, heights, and decorative details with you. You approve the design and finish before any steel is cut, so the finished result matches exactly what you pictured from the start.
STEP 03
WE FABRICATE IN THE SHOP
Components are cut, bent, and welded, then joints are ground smooth. Gates are squared and braced, and hardware mounts are reinforced so hinges and latches stay aligned and working smoothly for many years ahead.
STEP 04
WE FINISH FOR WEATHER
Steel is cleaned and primed, then painted or sent for powder coating. Welded seams get extra attention because that is where rust most often gets its first foothold on outdoor ironwork here in Colorado.
STEP 05
WE INSTALL WITH CARE
Posts are set plumb in solid footings, panels are attached level, and gates are hung and adjusted. We check swing, latch, and clearance until every gate and latch operates smoothly, quietly, and securely every time.
STEP 06
WE REVIEW IT WITH YOU
We walk the finished ironwork with you, demonstrate the hardware, and share a simple care routine. The work area is cleaned up, leaving only the new or restored ironwork behind for you to enjoy.