Ever wonder what goes into creating a custom metal gate that actually stands the test of time, and looks great doing it? At A Straight Up Fence Company, we get this question a lot. And honestly, we love answering it.
Custom metal gates aren’t just welded together overnight. There’s a whole process behind each one, from the first conversation about what you’re envisioning to the moment we make those final adjustments at your property. Every cut, every weld, every decorative flourish is deliberate.
Here in Denver, we fabricate all our metal in-house, which means we control every step of the process. No outsourcing, no middlemen, no guessing games about quality. Whether you’re looking for a classic wrought iron driveway gate, a modern automatic entry system, or something that blends iron and wood into a completely unique design, we build it right here in our Denver shop. Let’s take you behind the scenes to show you exactly how custom metal gates come to life.
Understanding the Custom Gate Design Process
Before any metal gets cut or shaped, we spend time getting the design right. This stage might not be as visually exciting as watching sparks fly in our fabrication shop, but it’s arguably the most important part of the entire project.
Initial Consultation and Concept Development
Every custom gate starts with a conversation. We sit down with you, either at your property or in our Denver shop, to understand what you’re actually looking for. Security? Privacy? Pure curb appeal? Usually, it’s some combination of all three.
During this initial consultation, we’ll ask about your property type (residential, commercial, ranch, we handle them all), your aesthetic preferences, and any functional requirements. Want an automatic gate that opens without you stepping out into a January snowstorm? That changes the design. Need something that matches existing architectural elements on your home? We’ll factor that in too.
We also take measurements and photos of the installation site during this phase. Gate dimensions aren’t something you can eyeball, especially for driveway gates or entry gates that need to accommodate vehicles, equipment, or specific security requirements.
Creating Detailed Blueprints and Technical Drawings
Once we’ve nailed down the concept, our team creates detailed blueprints. These aren’t rough sketches, they’re technical drawings that specify every measurement, angle, and component.
For gates that combine materials (say, powder-coated wrought iron posts supporting a wood gate panel), these drawings become especially critical. We need to know exactly how the iron framework will interact with the wood elements, where the hinges will attach, and how the weight will be distributed.
If you’re going with an electric or solar automatic gate system, the blueprints also account for the motor placement, wiring paths, and any sensors or access controls. We think through all of this before fabrication begins, because changes are a lot easier to make on paper than in steel.
Selecting the Right Materials for Denver’s Climate
Denver’s climate throws some real challenges at outdoor metalwork. We’re talking temperature swings from sub-zero winters to intense summer sun, plus dry air, occasional hail, and all that UV exposure at altitude. Not every material handles this well.
For most of our custom metal gates, we work with steel and wrought iron. Steel offers excellent strength-to-weight ratios and takes well to powder coating (more on that later). Wrought iron has that classic, elegant look and is actually quite durable when properly finished.
Aluminum is another option we offer, particularly for clients who want something lighter or for applications where corrosion resistance is paramount. It won’t rust the way untreated steel can, though it’s not as strong.
When we’re creating hybrid gates, those designs that unite wood and iron, material selection gets more nuanced. We need to account for how different materials expand and contract with temperature changes. The Front Range can see 40-degree temperature swings in a single day, and that kind of movement puts stress on joints and connections.
We source our materials from suppliers we trust, and we inspect everything before it goes into production. A custom gate is only as good as what it’s made from, and we’re not cutting corners at this stage.
Metal Fabrication Techniques Used by Local Artisans
This is where the real transformation happens. Raw metal becomes something beautiful and functional in our Denver fabrication shop.
Cutting and Shaping the Metal Framework
We use a combination of traditional techniques and modern equipment to cut and shape metal. For straight cuts, we rely on plasma cutters and metal saws that deliver precision down to fractions of an inch. For more intricate shapes, scrollwork, curves, custom silhouettes, we use a combination of plasma cutting and hand tools.
Bending and shaping metal requires both the right equipment and genuine skill. Our craftsmen use hydraulic benders for consistent curves in larger pieces, but decorative scrolls and ornamental details often get shaped by hand over forms. There’s something about hand-formed metalwork that just looks different, more organic, more intentional.
We’ll often heat metal to make it more malleable for complex shapes. This is old-school blacksmithing knowledge applied to modern gate design. The key is knowing exactly how much heat to apply and when to work the metal before it cools.
Welding and Assembly Methods
Once all the pieces are cut and shaped, assembly begins. Welding is where the gate really takes form, and it’s also where quality differences show up most clearly.
We primarily use MIG and TIG welding, depending on the application. TIG welding gives us more precision and cleaner welds, which matters for visible joints on decorative elements. MIG welding is faster and works well for structural components that will be hidden or covered.
Every weld gets inspected for strength and appearance. Weak welds fail eventually, and ugly welds never look right, no matter how much grinding and finishing you do. Our welders have years of experience, and they take pride in their work, because their name is on every gate that leaves our shop.
After welding, we grind and smooth the joints. This prep work is essential for the finishing process that comes next.
Adding Decorative Elements and Custom Details
Here’s where custom gates really become custom. The decorative elements are what separate a generic metal gate from something that actually complements your property and reflects your style.
Ornamental flourishes can range from simple and clean to elaborate and traditional. We fabricate everything from geometric patterns and modern linear designs to classic scrollwork, fleur-de-lis, and botanical motifs. Some clients want their family initial or ranch brand incorporated into the design. Others want something completely original that they’ve sketched out themselves.
We can create these decorative elements through several methods. Some are forge-welded using traditional techniques. Others are plasma-cut from flat stock and then given dimension through bending and layering. For truly intricate designs, we’ll sometimes use a combination of fabricated and cast elements.
The trick with decorative details is integration. Tacked-on ornamentation looks exactly that way, tacked on. Our approach is to design decorative elements as integral parts of the gate structure from the beginning. They should look like they belong, not like afterthoughts.
For gates combining wood and iron, the decorative potential multiplies. Iron can frame wood panels, create contrasting accents, or serve purely ornamental purposes while the wood provides the gate’s visual weight. We’ve created entry gates where the iron is almost entirely decorative, elegant scrollwork against warm wood, and driveway gates where powder-coated wrought iron posts do all the structural work.
Finishing and Protective Coating Applications
A gate can be beautifully designed and flawlessly welded, but without proper finishing, it won’t last. Denver’s climate will humble unprotected metal pretty quickly.
Our standard finishing process starts with thorough surface preparation. We clean the metal to remove any oils, mill scale, or contaminants. Then we typically apply a primer specifically formulated for the type of metal we’re working with.
Powder coating is our preferred finish for most custom gates, and for good reason. Unlike traditional liquid paint, powder coating creates a thick, uniform finish that’s extremely durable. The process involves applying electrostatically charged powder particles to the metal, then curing in an oven where the powder melts and fuses into a smooth, hard surface.
The result is a finish that resists chipping, scratching, fading, and corrosion far better than conventional paint. And because powder coating comes in virtually any color, you’re not limited to basic black (though classic black wrought iron remains popular for a reason).
For certain applications, particularly gates with intricate detailing, we may use specialized metal paints or multi-layer coating systems. The goal is always the same: a finish that protects the metal and looks great for years to come.
We also apply appropriate finishes to any wood components on hybrid gates, ensuring that both materials are protected from Denver’s sun, snow, and everything in between.
Professional Installation and Final Adjustments
Building a beautiful gate in the shop is one thing. Getting it properly installed at your property is another skill set entirely.
Installation day starts early for our crews. Depending on the gate’s size and weight, we may need specialized equipment to transport and position it. A substantial driveway gate can weigh several hundred pounds, and there’s no muscling that into place safely.
We install gates on posts that are either set in concrete footings or attached to existing masonry or structural elements. The installation method depends on your specific situation, soil conditions, existing structures, and the gate’s size and weight all factor in.
For automatic gates, installation includes all the electrical and mechanical components. We install gate operators, program remotes and keypads, set up safety sensors, and test everything thoroughly. If you’ve opted for a solar automatic gate system, we position the solar panels for optimal charging and configure the system for reliable year-round operation, even during Denver’s shorter winter days.
Final adjustments happen on-site. We check that the gate swings or slides smoothly, that latches align properly, and that automatic systems respond correctly to all inputs. We’ll walk you through operation and maintenance, answer any questions, and make sure you’re completely satisfied before we leave.
From our fabrication shop in Denver to the installation at your home or business, we handle everything. That’s what makes us your one-source solution for custom gates, and it’s why our clients trust us with projects ranging from backyard gates to entries for sprawling ranches and commercial properties across the Front Range.
Conclusion
Creating a custom metal gate isn’t a simple or quick process, and honestly, it shouldn’t be. Every step matters, from those first conversations about your vision to the final adjustments after installation.
At A Straight Up Fence Company, we’ve built our reputation on handling this entire process in-house. We don’t outsource our metal fabrication or rely on third parties for critical components. Our craftsmen take raw materials and transform them into gates that serve their purpose, security, privacy, curb appeal, while lasting for decades in Denver’s demanding climate.
Whether you’re envisioning a traditional wrought iron entry gate, a modern automatic driveway system, or a custom design that blends wood and metal in ways you haven’t seen anywhere else, we can build it. No project is too big or too small.
We’d be honored to work with you on your next gate project. Reach out to us and let’s start that first conversation about what you’re looking for.