Metal garden fencing can add both security and aesthetic appeal to any garden. The most common metal garden fencing options include wrought iron, steel, iron, and even aluminum. Steel metal garden fencing tends to be the cheaper of these materials, as it rusts easily in moist conditions and it is prone to bending. Most steel fencing is strictly ornamental and not meant to bear a load. Wrought iron fencing is the most expensive option for metal garden fencing, and it is also one of the more difficult fences to obtain.
Wrought iron metal garden fencing is heavy duty, ornamental, and sturdy enough to bear a load such as hanging plants. It will need to be installed with posts sunk into concrete, as it can be quite heavy. If price is not a concern, wrought iron fencing is perhaps the most beautiful and durable of all the fencing options. A less expensive option is galvanized steel fencing, which is commonly used in chain link fences. While certainly not the most attractive option, chain link fencing is extremely effective at keeping unwanted pests out of the garden without spending excessive amounts of money to do so. Creeping vines will also thrive near chain link fences, since there are countless points on which the vines can attach.
Cast iron fencing is almost as attractive as wrought iron but it costs significantly less. Wrought iron is iron that has been worked into shapes with tools, whereas cast iron is iron that has been heated and poured into molds. Cast iron metal garden fencing comes in panels that are generally easy to install, though posts will have to be sunk into concrete to support them. Cast iron looks very similar to wrought iron, though it is generally less ornate.
For simpler metal garden fencing, aluminum fencing is a good choice. It is also lower in price, and rustproof. While not the strongest material to use for metal garden fencing, it is a long-term solution that still looks aesthetically pleasing. in many cases, aluminum fencing can mimic the look of iron fencing, but since it is much lighter weight, the posts do not necessarily have to be sunk into concrete--though it is always a good idea to do so to promote strength and durability. Aluminum will not be as sturdy as other options, and it is mostly decorative, though it will keep many common garden pests out.