Transform Your Yard with a Beautiful Wood and Metal Fence

Key Highlights

• With the combination of wood and metal, you can have a beautiful natural fence built from cedar or pine, and supported by steel post that is strong and durable.
• The type of post would fix the main issue with fencing in Georgia, which is post rot; metal posts do not rot, will keep your fence upright and secure against wind and rain at all times while other wood fences will.
• Metal and wood fencing costs anywhere from $35 to $65 per linear foot. Wood and metal fences may be more expensive in the short term, but they provide savings in terms of repair and maintenance over time.
• Kennesaw, Marietta, and Metro Atlanta residents will benefit from a Modern Fence style, which provides a modern look and the ability to withstand high winds without sagging or warping.

Wood and Metal Fence

Most North Georgia and Atlanta area homeowners have seen a noticeable change in the fencing design trend. Most homeowners used to build an all-wood privacy fence as a standard option, however, today there are many stronger and longer-lasting options available. Whether it be in North Georgia subdivision homes or renovation sites in Downtown Atlanta, the number of residential fences that have blown over or been destroyed by storms is increasing.

I, Mr. Jay Fahat, a modern-day fencing expert with a wealth of knowledge in designing and constructing high-quality, long-lasting privacy fences throughout the greater Atlanta/North Georgia area. Mr. Fahat works with homeowners to help them create fencing solutions that incorporate beauty and durability, especially given Georgia’s ever-changing weather conditions. 

You’re not alone when you face this issue.

Bravo Fence Company is a business that specializes in helping with this issue. We build wood and metal fences that incorporate the warmth and privacy of natural wood, and combine them with the unmatched strength and durability of a steel post system. With wood and metal fences, homeowners can enjoy all the benefits of a classic wood fence, but with a steel backbone designed to resist rot and high winds.

Using this guide, you can learn about why adding a wood and metal fence is considered one of the most intelligent upgrades for Georgia homeowners looking for long-lasting durability, stability, and updated curb appeal.

Why Combine Materials? (The “Wood and Metal” Advantage)

Wood is a beautiful material, and it smells fantastic, plus tree types are everywhere near you! But wood is susceptible to one natural element; moisture. Moisture will destroy any pressure-treated wood and a 4×4 post that sits on the ground in Atlanta (where there is a lot of humidity and wetness) will normally only last for approximately a decade to a decade and a half before breaking at the base.

The combination of fence metal and wood is the real game changer when it comes to fencing.  Metal fence posts will create the ‘skeleton’ for your fencing system, therefore will not rot, warp or be consumed by termites; according to data from the USDA Forest Products Laboratory, all wooden materials that are in contact with the ground (including wooden fence posts) are subject to decay, and by utilising treated and supported wooden posts can have a substantial impact on the longevity of your fencing system.

1. Structural Integrity (The “Bones”)

When you consider a fence as a body, the “posts” would be considered the structure or skeleton of the fence and the pickets are viewed as the exterior covering of the fence (skin). So as a result of this analogy to a body, we would build the “posts” using either galvanized steel or aluminum so they do not hold moisture and become prone to deterioration (rot) and we don’t have to worry about termites or insect infestation. When a metal and wood fence  is built this way, it will remain straight and standing for 20 years or more.

2. Aesthetic Versatility (The “Skin”)

The posts will be made of metal and the rails and pickets will be made of wood. This gives you unlimited options for customization. Stain the wood a dark walnut or a natural cedar color, which provides a nice contrast to the black metal posts. This selection indicates a custom design; the posts are made/installed by a builder.

3. Ease of Repair

When a tree limb falls and fractures several wooden pickets, you can easily remove the fencing panel, take the boards out of the fence, and put new boards in its place. The fence post is metal, therefore only takes 30 minutes every Saturday to replace. We do not need to completely rebuild the entire fence.

In East Cobb, a customer had to replace the exact same type of wooden fence two times within 14 years. The posts rotted off from below ground level every time, but the pickets still looked good when they were damaged. The Steve Keith Company built the fence using steel fence posts along with cedar fencing panels. The fence has not shifted at all, even after numerous storms, two years later.

Top Wood and Metal Fence Ideas & Combinations

From a contemporary sleek modern metal and wood fence to a more rustic aesthetic, below are the most common combinations of wood and metal fence that we install throughout the Atlanta area.

Horizontal Wood, Exposed Black Metal Posts

This is currently the hottest trend in wood and metal fence ideas.

• The Design Elements: The design consists of 4 to 8 square black powder-coated steel posts, set at either 120″ on centre, or at 240″ on centre, and the wood boards applied horizontally, rather than vertically. 
• The Look and Feel: Clean and ultra-modern; The black metal framing the warm wood is an attractive contrast, allowing the small size of the backyard to create a more spacious and natural flow to the yard.

The “Industrial Rustic” (Framed Panels)

In some cases, we take a polar-opposite approach to constructing our buildings. Rather than framing metal panels with wood studs and roof joists, we frame wood studs and roof joists with corrugated metal paneling inserts. 

• Corrugated Metal: For a completely enclosed privacy screen that is both industrial and edgy looking, we could use corrugated galvanized steel panels between the framing members made from a wooden composite.
• Hog Wire: For those who want to keep the dog in but keep the view open, framing heavy-gauge wire grids (hog wire) with cedar wood is a stunning, open-concept choice.

An example of a homeowner in Smyrna who enjoyed the appearance of a traditional wooden privacy fence but was also tired of rebuilding every ten years was a customer who had us build them a fence using our PostMaster Steel Posts wrapped with Cedar face boards. I can still remember that many of the neighbors to this day do not realize that the fence has steel in it.

Preservative Treatment Controls Problems Associated With Fungal Rots, Decay, Wood-Destroying Insects: Treated Lumber is The Most Common Solution For Outdoor Applications.

—Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Overview of Wood Preservative Chemicals.

Wood vs. Metal Fence Cost: What’s the Price Difference?

When you choose a fence wood and metal combo, you are paying a premium for the steel posts and the hardware required to attach the wood to the metal. However, you aren’t paying the high price of a full wrought-iron or aluminum ornamental fence.

2025 Atlanta Cost Comparison

So, how much does a wood and metal fence cost? The upgrade to metal fence posts will cost approximately $1,500-$2,500 more for an average backyard (150 linear feet) than wood fence posts; however, consider that after 12 years when the wood fence starts to rot, you will have to pay to install your new fence again and will incur the installation costs once again.

Installation Insight: Can You Attach Wood Fence Panels to Metal Posts?

1. The Bracket System: Standard round galvanized posts (chain-link style) require metal brackets that clamp around the pipe.
2. The Tab System: For square metal posts, we often attach tabs (both welded and bolted) to the face of the post and the wood rail is placed into the tabs to create a clean transition between the metal and wood fence lines.
3. Drilling: In some wood and metal fence combinations, we drill directly through the steel to bolt the wood rails in place. This is the strongest method but requires heavy-duty tools and precision.

A Note on DIY:

A do-it-yourself fence made of wood and metal is caculated, and it requires extreme precision when setting the metal posts in the ground. Wood posts allow for some leeway when compared to metal posts, as your can trim the tops to level them off. However, if you make a mistake and place your steel post two inches too high when you pour the concrete, you have made an irreparable mistake. We recommend hiring professionals who have the equipment to cut and level steel on-site.

What Are the Disadvantages of Metal Fences?

Bravo Fence Company believes that educating our customers about Hybrid style fences is just as important as selling our products. Customers should be made aware of any limitations of these fences prior to making their purchase decision. Therefore, we take an active role in educating, informing and assisting customers during the purchasing process.

• An Increased Initial Expense: Compared to a wood fence, the cost of purchasing a hybrid style will be more than that of an average wooden barrier.
• The “Commercial” Look: If not designed well, round galvanized posts can look like a commercia parking lot fence. This is why we highly recommend using square posts or boxing the posts in with wood (the PostMaster style) for residential properties.
• Rust Potential: While galvanized steel and aluminum are rust-resistant, they aren’t rust-proof. If you use a Weed Whacker on the surface of these materials and it scratches through the protective coating there is a risk that rust will develop over time (however, if this happens you can usually repair it with some touch-up paint).

Case Study: Installing a Wood and Metal Privacy Fence in Marietta, GA

By Mr. Jay Fahat, Fencing Specialist at Bravo Fence Company

Bravo Fence Company has been supplying wood and metal fencing systems throughout the Metro Atlanta area since 2009. This case study will show the advantage of utilizing a combination of steel posts and wood panels in a fence to offer greater stability and durability than can be achieved by using one of these materials individually in the harsh soil and weather conditions that exist in Metro Atlanta.

After having issues with a standard wooden fence, a Marietta customer reached out to us for help. They noticed after several major weather patterns that the majority of their fence posts were leaning due to soil rot.  The yard sits on an extremely wet heavy red clay soil with constant winds blowing through areas between their neighbours, causing wood post to break down quickly.

To accomplish this, we developed an engineering solution using steel fence posts equipped with galvanised metal coverings for protection from weather. Cedar fence pickets were then attached to pressure-treated wooden rails with an innovative fastening system that allows no visible fasteners.

The Result

There are no visible signs of corrosion on the steel posts, even after being exposed to a large amount of inclement weather and heavy rain for many months. Additionally, the cedar pickets have continued to weather evenly over this same time period. Finally, the gates remain level and continue to function properly. This can be attributed to the benefits of the wood/metal combination.

Local Talk: Why This Style Works in Atlanta

Georgia has a unique environment that consists of trees, soil and frequent rain. The University of Georgia Extension recommends using the right materials, spacing and installation methods to maximise the life expectancy of fences in Georgia’s soil conditions; (UGA CAES Fence Guide) likewise, if a wooden fence post sits directly in a damp place, it will age more quickly.

Build Your Wood and Metal Fence with Bravo Fence Company

A fence is more than just a marker of where your property ends and begins; a quality fence should be durable, visually appealing and stand up to the difficult weather conditions of Georgia for many years. High humidity, heavy rains, strong winds, and red clay soils can cause many wooden fences made using conventional methods to fail where it irritates them the most…at/below ground level.

Bravo Fence Company is a company that specializes in providing quality fences made of wood and metal throughout Atlanta, Georgia, and North Georgia. Contact us today at (770) 966-9970 to schedule your free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the life expectancy of a metal fence?

Galvanized Steel or Aluminum fencing will last from 30-50 years, provided it is installed properly. Wood attached to the fence may need to be replaced in 15-20 years, but the large, costly posts will most likely still be standing when it comes time to put up a second fence!

2. What’s cheaper, a wood or metal fence?

In a narrow interpretation, wood is cheaper to buy. But, the price difference is decreasing due to changing prices for lumber due to the market and increased efficiency for producing steel. Therefore, a concrete post wood vs metal fence cost is now not far off. Upgrading to metal posts is considered an economical decision.

3. Can I upgrade my existing wood fence to metal posts?

There are many people requesting this type of service. If your wooden pickets are still usable, but the bottom of your wooden fence posts has rotted away, we can take the old wooden fence posts out and replace them with new metal fence posts and hang your existing wood panels back on them. This will improve the structural support of your fence while saving you money.

4. How to connect wood fence to metal fence without ugly brackets?

We use either a “wood-to-steel” adapter or a hidden fastener system and typically use square tubing to allow us to conceal the fasteners on the back side of the rail, giving a neat and unobstructed appearance to the street side.

5. Is a wood and metal fence good for windy areas?

Yes, a wood and metal fence performs exceptionally well in windy areas because steel posts resist bending, prevent rot, and keep wood panels straight during storms common in Georgia weather.