Architectural Salvage Idea – Make a Really Cool Planter Out of Old Iron Fences

Here’s a “really cool” high-end decorative architectural salvage design that uses an old iron fence section or gate section. This idea will give you an architectural accent that is really beautiful and has some adaptations depending on its ultimate location in your patio, patio, or garden!

Over Labor Day weekend I was going through some previous design projects to add to our new design portfolio and came across a really wonderful design we did for a French Chateau style home on top of a beautiful orchard area in Redlands, California. It was so beautiful that I thought it would be a great rescue project for you tasty “archaeologists” who like to combine architectural accents in your interior and exterior projects. Here it goes:

This project is the conversion of an iron fence or gate into a truly unique planter.

Step 1- “The Hunt”: Find a suitable piece of iron fence, iron gate or window guard. The size depends on the area where your creation will ultimately reside.

Step 2 – “Build and assemble a planter to connect to the iron piece and create your planter:

1. Go to your home improvement store and pick up 5 pieces of 1×6 cedar or redwood fencing (these fence boards will cost you about $ 2. Each) also get 2-8 ‘2×4 (which will also cost you about $ 4). Requires 1 box of 1 5/8 row threaded drywall screws. (costs about $ 6). Get 1 pack of PVC Pipe Mounting U-Brackets (6) that are equal to the diameter of the fence rails or vertical pieces (about $ 4).

2. Cut 4 pieces of 2x4s the same size as the width of the fence board. It should probably be about 5 1/2 “(1×6 boards are usually just under 6”).

3. Cut two fence boards to desired dimension to be the same width as the fence section.

4. Cut two fence boards to the desired width of your planter. 8 “to 12” is a nice scale for a 4 ‘to 5’ iron gate or fence section.

5. Screw a short section of 2×4 flat against the two ends of the longer sections of the fence board with your 1 5/8 “dry wall screws. Be sure to drill” pilot holes “with a 1 / 8 “at the points where we are going to screw the 2x4s into the fence board. (This will prevent the fence board from splitting).

6. Take your two short fence boards and screw them into the sides of the 2x4s that were mounted on your longer fence board. (this creates the sides of the pot). Do this with the two longest fence boards and you have a box (sides and backs) waiting for a bottom.

7. Measure the length of the bottom of the box frame from end to end and cut the third piece of the fence board to that length. Drill pilot holes in the outside edge of your third board and screw it into the box frame you built with your 1 5/8 “drywall screws. You now have your planter.

8. Cut 3 more 2x4s to the same depth as your new box and mount one at each end and one in the middle of the bottom of the box. Drill holes every 6 “in the bottom of the box with a 1/2” bit (you should have plenty of holes). These holes are to allow water to drain (so your plants don’t rot). These 2×4 spacers will allow your box to have a 1 5/8 inch clearance at the bottom of your box for water to drain out.

9. Paint, stain or create whatever look you prefer for the planter.

10. Attach the box to the fence with 3 rows of PVC U-brackets mounted on the top and bottom of the planter and wrapped around the fence to secure the iron fence to the box.

11. Paint or sand or create the color or finish treatment for the fence. (If you decide to paint the fence … rust-o-leum spray paint is worth a couple extra bucks for its adhesion and metal coverage. Cheaper paints never cover so well!

When planting your architectural planter, consider having a vine as part of your garden additions. Creeper is a fabulous touch that grows on vertical iron fence rails! Find a great focal point for your creation … your friends will die for … this truly “artistic architectural creation”!