Architectural steel & aluminium
Build the component around the project rather than forcing the project to work around a standard product. We fabricate architectural steel, aluminium, and stainless steel for qualifying residential, commercial, and construction work.
Unusual dimensions, existing construction, a particular appearance
Some projects cannot be completed with a standard fence panel, gate, railing, or catalogue component. Sometimes several fabricated elements have to work together.
Architectural fabrication may include
- Handrails
- Stair systems
- Balcony rails
- Gates
- Posts
- Ornamental components
- Specialty fabricated structures
- Project-specific metal components
The exact scope is established for each project. We avoid presenting architectural fabrication as an unlimited miscellaneous-metals service — if a requested component falls outside our capabilities, that is identified during project review rather than assumed from a broad service label.
The material is selected for the actual project
Steel, aluminium, and stainless steel each have different characteristics. We do not treat every metal as interchangeable, and we do not substitute one for another without considering the application.
Steel
Central to many custom projects because it can be cut, formed, assembled, and fabricated into a wide range of configurations — architectural components, custom gates, handrails, stair railing systems, custom posts, ornamental details, and specialty structures.
A decorative gate entrance has different requirements from a handrail.
Aluminium
Useful where its material characteristics and appearance suit the project. Selection may depend on project design, location, existing construction, desired appearance, fabrication requirements, and other project-specific considerations.
When aluminium is specified or appropriate for qualifying work, we incorporate it into the fabrication scope.
Stainless steel
A different appearance and material profile from painted or coated steel. We provide qualifying stainless fabrication where that material is appropriate for the component and its location.
If a material is specified in the plans, include that information with the estimate request.
Fabrication earns its keep at the entrance
Qualifying gates are fabricated in-house. Custom work becomes particularly valuable when an entrance involves:
- Unusual dimensions
- Sloping ground
- Existing masonry
- Large vehicle openings
- Estate entrances
- Commercial entrances
- Ornamental design requirements
Because we also install fencing, automatic gates, and access control, we can consider how a fabricated gate fits into the larger entrance. See custom gate fabrication.
Components that must fit real stairs and landings
Handrails and stair railing systems typically need to fit actual stairs, landings, balconies, or surrounding construction — which makes dimensions particularly important.
If railing work is the primary need, our handrails, balcony rails and stair systems page carries the focused information.
Ornamental work is not decoration added to every project. It is an option when the design calls for it — scrollwork, finials, custom posts, and related decorative elements.
Conditions that do not appear in a product catalogue
Custom fabrication often means fitting new metalwork into a property that already exists.
- Masonry
- Concrete
- Stairs
- Columns
- Existing fencing
- Existing gates
- Older metalwork
- Uneven or nonstandard openings
Photographs and drawings are useful early in the conversation, but some projects require field measurements before the work can be finalized. We do not promise an exact visual match to older fabricated metal when original materials, coatings, finishes, or fabrication details are unknown.
Drawings come first. Final dimensions come later
Architectural metal components may appear on drawings before the surrounding construction is complete. The design establishes the intended component, but final dimensions can depend on concrete, masonry, stairs, openings, or other work that has not been finished.
Depending on the project, final measurements may need to be confirmed before fabrication begins — which avoids building a custom component around dimensions that changed during construction.
What the documents should define
- Material
- General configuration
- Dimensions
- Architectural intent
- Relationship to surrounding work
- Scope assigned to our company
For general contractors, builders, developers, and commercial customers, providing the relevant documents early makes the review more efficient. It is not necessary to send unrelated portions of a large plan set. Requirements outside our standard fabrication scope should be identified before work begins.
Commercial construction and high-end residential
Commercial fabrication
- Business properties
- Apartment communities
- Developments
- Warehouses
- Commercial construction
- General contractor projects
- Municipal or other qualifying public projects
The component can vary widely — that is why this page exists separately from our fencing, gate, and railing pages. See commercial fencing for perimeter work.
Residential architectural metalwork
- A custom entrance gate
- Exterior railing
- Balcony railing
- Stair railing
- A decorative metal element
- A component tied to an existing property
High-end residential projects often involve several related pieces — an estate entrance and a railing system may need to share design elements even though they serve different purposes.
The project is defined before fabrication begins
A useful project review starts with the location, intended use, approximate dimensions, preferred material, finish expectations, and any available drawings or specifications.
Helpful information
- Drawings or plans
- Photographs
- Approximate dimensions
- Material requirements
- Property location
- Where the component will be installed
- Other metalwork it should coordinate with
Fabrication and installation are one conversation
A fabricated component is only useful if it fits where it needs to go, so we may need to understand finished opening dimensions, surrounding surfaces, gate or railing location, existing structures, grade, and the relationship to other construction.
The more custom the component, the more those details matter — which is why photographs, drawings, and field measurements each play a different role in the same project.
Engineering and project requirements
Modern Fence provides fabrication services. Structural engineering, stamped drawings, and engineering design should not be assumed as part of our standard service unless specifically confirmed for a project. Requirements established by plans, the municipality, architect, engineer, general contractor, or owner should be identified for the actual project.
A project does not always fit into one service category
A commercial property may need fencing, fabricated gates, and another custom metal component. An estate may need ornamental fencing, a driveway gate, and railings. A construction project may include both perimeter work and fabricated architectural components.
Having these capabilities inside one company lets us evaluate how the pieces relate rather than automatically treating each one as an unrelated project.
Architectural metalwork across
Western Arkansas & Eastern Oklahoma
Fabricated components are built in our Fort Smith shop for projects in these communities and the surrounding areas.
Architectural work on real buildings
What metals does Modern Fence fabricate?
Our architectural fabrication capabilities include steel, aluminium, and stainless steel.
What types of architectural metalwork do you provide?
Qualifying work may include gates, handrails, stair systems, balcony rails, posts, ornamental components, and specialty fabricated structures.
Does Modern Fence fabricate gates in-house?
Yes. Qualifying custom gates are fabricated in-house.
Can you work from architectural plans?
Yes. We can work from plans and specifications for qualifying projects.
Do you provide handrail fabrication?
Yes. Handrails and stair systems are part of our fabrication capabilities.
Can you match existing metalwork?
We can review existing work and discuss coordinating the new component, but an exact match should not be assumed when original materials, finishes, age, or fabrication details differ.
Does Modern Fence provide engineering?
Structural engineering or stamped engineering documents should not be assumed as part of our standard fabrication service unless specifically confirmed for a project.
Do you handle residential and commercial fabrication?
Yes. We provide qualifying custom fabrication for residential, commercial, and construction projects.
Send what you have so far
If you need a custom steel, aluminium, or stainless steel component, send us the project information you already have. Plans, drawings, photographs, and approximate dimensions help us determine the next step.
