Serving Western Arkansas & Eastern Oklahoma since 1950
5801 S. 29th St., Fort Smith, AR(479) 649-6511
Built for the project, not pulled from a shelf

Custom metal fabrication

Some projects cannot be solved with a standard fence panel, gate, railing, or prefabricated component. The dimensions may be unusual, an existing structure has to be matched, or a commercial project calls for components built from plans and specifications.

1950

In business since

75+

Years of fence projects

100%

Employee install crews

1 yr

Workmanship warranty

Our own fabrication facility

Steel, aluminium and stainless steel

Modern Fence Company provides custom metal fabrication for residential, commercial, industrial, and specialty projects throughout Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma.

Our capabilities include

  • Custom gates
  • Ornamental metalwork
  • Handrails
  • Balcony rails
  • Stair systems
  • Architectural metal components
  • Custom posts and frames
  • Specialty metal structures
  • Fence-related fabrication
  • Project-specific metal components

We operate our own shop, which lets us measure, fabricate, and coordinate custom components as part of a larger fence, gate, access-control, or metalwork project. If your project requires something that cannot simply be ordered in a standard size, tell us what you are trying to build.

Metal components fabricated in the Modern Fence shop
Fabricated in Fort Smith
What we fabricate

Six kinds of work that come out of the shop

Custom metal driveway gate at a property entrance
Gates

Custom gate fabrication

A gate has to fit the opening, clear the ground, connect to its supports, and keep working. Standard sizes do not fit every property, so we build around the entrance.

Custom gates

Custom gate fabrication
Ornamental scrollwork fabricated in the shop
Ornamental

Ornamental metalwork

Decorative scrollwork, finials, custom posts, gate accents, ornamental railing details, and custom metal patterns — coordinated with the surrounding fence.

Ornamental iron

Ornamental metalwork
Materials

We begin with the application, not with the metal

Steel

Used throughout many of our projects because it can be formed and welded into a wide range of components — gate frames, ornamental gate components, fence frames, posts, handrails, stair and balcony railings, architectural features, commercial components, and specialty structures.

A fabricated driveway gate has different requirements from a handrail or architectural feature.

Aluminium

Considered for railings, architectural components, specialty frames, selected exterior metalwork, and project-specific pieces where design, appearance, weight, corrosion considerations, or specifications make it appropriate.

Not every component should be aluminium simply because it is available — material selection reflects the application, dimensions, and installation conditions.

Stainless steel

Selected for handrails, architectural railing components, selected exterior applications, commercial metalwork, and specialty details where its appearance or material properties fit the project.

Stainless work needs attention to both fabrication and visible finish, particularly when the metal is intended to remain exposed.

Worker welding a metal frame on a fabrication table
Cut, fitted, assembled, welded
Fabricated metal handrail following an interior stairway
Finish matters on exposed work
Plans, specifications and field measurements

A component can fit perfectly in the shop and still not fit the site

Some fabrication projects begin with a site visit and a basic concept. Others begin with formal construction documents. We can work from plans and specifications for qualifying projects — dimensions, drawings, material requirements, component locations, connection details, finish requirements, and related construction information.

For projects tied to an existing structure we may verify

  • Width
  • Height
  • Elevation
  • Angles
  • Post or column spacing
  • Finished surfaces
  • Existing mounting locations
  • Ground conditions
  • Adjacent construction

When information is incomplete or field conditions differ from the drawings, additional review may be needed before fabrication proceeds. We avoid making assumptions about dimensions that can be verified.

Measuring an opening before fabrication begins
Measured against the real opening
Coordinating with other trades

The order of work matters

Metal fabrication may be only one part of a larger project — concrete, masonry, electrical, landscaping, building construction, fence installation, and gate automation may all be involved.

A gate fabricated between masonry columns depends on the final opening being correct. A railing tied to a new stair system depends on the completed stair dimensions. An automatic gate may need electrical work coordinated with the gate and access equipment. When another contractor is involved, the relevant dimensions and responsibilities should be coordinated before fabrication is finalized.

Replacement and matching

An exact visual match is not always possible

Existing metalwork sometimes needs replacing because of damage, changes to the property, or a new project. Older components may have:

  • Discontinued shapes
  • Custom profiles
  • Unknown materials
  • Weathered finishes
  • Fabrication details that are difficult to reproduce exactly

When exact matching is not practical, we can discuss a compatible approach. Photographs and measurements of the existing metalwork are useful during the initial review. If new metalwork sits beside older painted or weathered components, appearance differences should be discussed during design rather than after fabrication.

How a fabrication project runs

Our custom metal fabrication process

  1. 1

    Define the project

    What needs to be fabricated, where it will be installed, and how it will be used.

  2. 2

    Review plans or existing conditions

    Drawings and specifications, field measurements, an existing component, or a combination.

  3. 3

    Confirm material and design

    Approved material, dimensions, configuration, and the major visible details.

  4. 4

    Verify measurements

    Field dimensions are confirmed when the component must fit an existing opening or structure.

  5. 5

    Fabricate the component

    Approved components are cut, fitted, assembled, and welded in our facility as the project requires.

  6. 6

    Coordinate installation

    Scheduled with consideration for the surrounding construction and project conditions.

  7. 7

    Install and review

    The component is installed according to the approved scope and reviewed as applicable.

Our broader installation process explains how Modern Fence approaches estimating, scheduling, installation, and project completion.

Why choose Modern Fence for custom fabrication

Fabrication is not an add-on to the fence business

  • 01

    In-house fabrication

    We operate our own fabrication facility for qualifying custom metalwork.

  • 02

    Fence, gate and metalwork experience

    We coordinate fabricated components with fencing, gates, and access control when a project crosses more than one service.

  • 03

    Residential and commercial

    Homeowners, property managers, businesses, builders, developers, and general contractors on qualifying projects.

  • 04

    Plans and specifications

    We work from project documents when the fabrication scope is sufficiently defined.

  • 05

    Local experience

    Sloped sites, rock, drainage, and other conditions common across Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma.

  • 06

    Licensed and insured

    Licensed and insured for the work we perform. Job-specific bonding may be available when required.

Fabrication service area

Custom fabrication across
Western Arkansas & Eastern Oklahoma

We fabricate from our Fort Smith operation for qualifying projects in these communities and the surrounding areas. Larger specialty projects may justify travel beyond the normal radius.

Out of our shop

Gates, rails and architectural metal

Common questions

Custom fabrication questions

More answers on our full FAQ page

What types of metal fabrication do you provide?

We fabricate qualifying gates, railings, architectural metalwork, specialty components, fence-related metalwork, and other project-specific pieces.

What metals do you work with?

Our fabrication capabilities include steel, aluminium, and stainless steel for appropriate applications.

Do you fabricate gates in-house?

Yes. Custom gate fabrication is one of our core in-house capabilities.

Do you fabricate handrails and balcony rails?

Yes. We fabricate handrails, balcony rails, stair railings, and related metal components for qualifying projects.

Can you work from plans?

Yes. We can work from plans and specifications for qualifying projects when the fabrication scope is adequately defined.

Can you reproduce an existing metal component?

Possibly. We can evaluate the existing component and determine whether a matching or compatible replacement can be fabricated. An exact match is not always possible.

Do you fabricate for commercial projects?

Yes. We work with qualifying commercial properties, general contractors, builders, developers, and property managers.

Can fabrication be combined with fence or gate installation?

Yes. Custom fabrication can be coordinated with fencing, gates, automatic entrances, and related work when included in the project.

Do you install what you fabricate?

We install qualifying fabricated components that are part of our project scope. The exact installation responsibilities are defined in the proposal.

Do you provide estimates?

Yes. Photos, drawings, dimensions, property information, and a clear description of what you need help us evaluate the project.

Request a custom metal fabrication estimate

Start with what you are trying to build

Send whatever information you already have: project location, type of component, approximate dimensions, preferred material, photos of the installation area and any existing metalwork, drawings or plans, whether the work is residential or commercial, whether installation is needed, and whether the project connects to a fence or gate.

Modern Fence Company