Custom Metal Fencing & Privacy Screens for Reno & Lake Tahoe Properties

Metal fencing is one of those things people don't think about until they need it. Then they realize how many decisions are involved: material, height, style, finish, code compliance. In Northern Nevada, you also have to factor in wind, snow, UV exposure, and — depending on where your property sits — wildfire regulations. Off-the-shelf options from big-box stores aren't engineered for any of that. They're engineered for flat lots in mild climates.

We fabricate custom metal fencing, privacy screens, and decorative panels at our shop on Dickerson Road in Reno. Every piece is built to spec for the property it's going on, whether that's a residential lot in Sparks or a commercial building in Carson City.

Steel, Aluminum, and Wrought Iron: Choosing the Right Material

Steel is the strongest option and the best choice when security or structural rigidity matters. For commercial properties, parking structures, and perimeter fencing that needs to take an impact, steel is the default. We typically work with mild steel tubing and solid bar stock, welded and finished in-house.

Aluminum is lighter, naturally corrosion-resistant, and works well for residential fencing where strength isn't the primary concern. It won't rust, which makes it a smart pick for pool enclosures and properties near Washoe Lake or along the Truckee River where moisture exposure is higher.

Wrought iron — or more accurately, wrought-iron-style steel — gives you the traditional look of ornamental ironwork with modern welding and finishing. This is popular for front yard fencing, estate gates, and historic properties in the Reno and Carson City downtown corridors where architectural style matters.

Privacy Screens and Decorative Panels

Privacy screens are a growing segment of our work. Homeowners in Reno's midtown and South Meadows neighborhoods are adding metal privacy panels to patios, rooftop decks, and side yards. These aren't chain-link with slats. They're laser-cut or plasma-cut steel and aluminum panels in geometric, organic, or custom patterns that provide screening without killing airflow.

Decorative metal panels also serve as design elements on their own — mounted to walls, integrated into landscaping, or used as freestanding room dividers in outdoor living spaces. For commercial projects in Sparks and the Reno-Tahoe industrial corridor, perforated metal screens provide security fencing that still allows visibility and ventilation.

Wind and Snow: Engineering for the Sierra Nevada Climate

Wind is the factor most people underestimate. Reno and the Washoe Valley regularly see gusts above 60 mph during winter storms. A six-foot solid privacy panel acts like a sail in those conditions. Posts need to be sized and anchored accordingly — we typically spec larger diameter posts with deeper footings than what you'd see in a mild climate installation.

For properties in Truckee, Incline Village, and around Lake Tahoe, snow load is the other critical variable. Fencing at elevation has to handle heavy, wet Sierra cement packing against it for months. We adjust material gauge, post spacing, and connection details to account for lateral snow pressure. Horizontal rail fencing up there also needs to be designed so snow doesn't accumulate on the rails and torque the posts out of plumb.

WUI Fire Zone Compliance

Properties in the Wildland-Urban Interface zones — which covers much of the Tahoe basin, the foothills west of Reno, and parts of Washoe County — face defensible space requirements that restrict combustible materials near structures. Metal fencing is inherently non-combustible, which makes it a code-compliant alternative to wood fencing in these zones. We fabricate steel and aluminum fencing that meets WUI setback and material requirements without sacrificing the look of the property. For homes in the Sierra Nevada foothills, this is often the deciding factor in choosing metal over wood or composite.

Pool Fencing Code Requirements in Washoe County

Washoe County and the cities of Reno and Sparks enforce pool barrier codes based on the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code. The requirements are specific: minimum 48-inch height, no climbable horizontal members spaced to allow footholds, maximum four-inch gaps between vertical pickets, and self-closing, self-latching gates that open outward from the pool area.

We build pool fencing that meets all of these requirements as fabricated — no field modifications needed. Aluminum is the most common choice for pool fencing because it doesn't rust and stays clean with minimal maintenance. For properties where the pool fence is also the property line fence, we often design a taller panel (five or six feet) that satisfies both pool code and privacy needs in a single installation.

Powder Coating and Finish Options

Raw steel rusts. That's not a debate. Every steel fence and screen we fabricate gets a finish system appropriate for its exposure conditions. Powder coating is the standard — it's tougher than paint, resists chipping and UV fade, and is available in virtually any color. For the high desert sun that Reno sees 300-plus days a year, UV-stable powder coat formulations are critical to prevent chalking and color shift over time.

We also offer hot-dip galvanizing as a base layer under powder coat for projects with extreme exposure — waterfront properties at Lake Tahoe, fencing near irrigation infrastructure, or commercial installations that will see decades of service. For aluminum, anodizing is an alternative to powder coat that provides a hard, integrated surface finish.

Residential vs. Commercial Applications

Residential fencing in Northern Nevada trends toward clean, modern lines — horizontal slat fencing, flat-bar privacy screens, and minimalist picket designs. Homeowners in Incline Village and the Somersett and Arrowcreek communities often want fencing that blends with the natural landscape while still defining property boundaries.

Commercial fencing is driven by function first: security, access control, code compliance, and durability. We fabricate perimeter fencing for industrial properties, bollard systems for storefronts, and ornamental fencing for commercial developments throughout the Reno-Sparks metro area. Trash enclosures, equipment screening, and parking lot barriers are also part of the commercial fencing scope — all custom-sized and finished to match the building's exterior.

Getting Started

Every fencing and privacy screen project starts with dimensions, site conditions, and a clear idea of what the fence needs to do. Send us a site photo, a rough sketch, or just the dimensions and we'll work up a design and quote. We handle fabrication and can coordinate with your installer, or recommend one if you need it. For properties in Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Truckee, Lake Tahoe, and anywhere in Northern Nevada — the turnaround is fast because everything is built in our local shop.