Iron Fence Painting Wicker Park Homeowners Can Trust: A Windy City Painters Case Study Wicker Park is full of architectural character — ornate 1890s greystone two-flats, vintage brick facades, and wrought iron fencing that has framed these streets for well over a century. However, what iron fence painting Wicker Park properties require is not a simple weekend job. Winters here are brutal on metal, and consequently Windy City Painters has spent years perfecting the restoration process that keeps these fences standing strong. In particular, this case study walks through a recent project completed for a classic Wicker Park property. Project Overview The property featured a full wrought iron perimeter fence that had suffered years of freeze-thaw cycling and road salt exposure. Paint had failed across most of the pickets, and oxidation had progressed into active rust at several base rails. Consequently, the homeowners needed more than a fresh coat of paint. They needed a genuine metal restoration, and that is precisely what Windy City Painters delivered. Materials Used Windy City Painters selected products specifically rated for Chicago's climate extremes: Rust-Oleum Professional Rust Inhibitor Primer Sherwin-Williams DTM Acrylic Enamel (two finish coats) 3M rust converter gel for active oxidation zones Wire brushes, angle grinders, and detail brushes for precision work The Process: How Windy City Painters Restores Rusted Iron Every iron fence painting Wicker Park project follows a disciplined, multi-stage process: Preparation. Wire brushing and angle grinding remove all loose, flaking, and compromised material. Rust converter gel is applied directly to active oxidation zones, chemically stabilizing the metal underneath. Repairs. Pitted sections and structurally weak joints are addressed before any coating touches the surface. Notably, skipping this step is the most common reason fence paint fails prematurely. Priming. A full rust-inhibiting primer coat seals every bare metal surface, preventing moisture from reaching the iron beneath. Application. Two finish coats of direct-to-metal enamel are applied by hand for even coverage across pickets, finials, and rail joints. Finishing. A final inspection confirms full coverage, sharp lines, and a smooth, uniform sheen from every angle. Furthermore, this same process protects the ornate details so common on Wicker Park fencing — decorative finials, scrollwork, and gate hardware — without losing the historic character that makes these properties special. Advice for Wicker Park Homeowners Before starting a similar project, homeowners in this neighborhood should keep a few things in mind: Never paint over active rust. Untreated oxidation will continue spreading beneath the new coating, and the paint will fail within a season or two. Always prime bare metal before applying a finish coat. Skipping primer is the single fastest path to peeling. Choose coatings rated for temperature extremes, since Chicago's freeze-thaw cycles are harder on metal than most climates. Inspect ground-contact areas each spring, as base rails typically rust fastest due to snow melt and road salt runoff. Budget for prep time. In fact, most of the labor in a quality iron fence painting Wicker Park project happens before a single coat of paint is applied. Similarly, ask whether the contractor uses rust converter on active oxidation, since skipping this step often shortens the life of the finish considerably. Moreover, historic greystone properties often have decorative ironwork that requires extra care during grinding and priming so the original detailing is preserved rather than sanded away. What to Expect: Timeline and Investment Homeowners often ask how long an iron fence painting Wicker Park project takes from start to finish. In general, prep work — wire brushing, grinding, rust conversion, and repairs — takes up the largest share of the schedule, while primer and enamel application move relatively quickly once the surface is properly stabilized. Cure time between coats also affects the overall timeline, since rushing this stage undermines durability. Consequently, Windy City Painters builds a realistic schedule around weather conditions rather than forcing the job into a tight window. In addition, investment varies based on fence length, the amount of active rust present, and whether ornate detailing requires extra hand-finishing. Homeowners considering this project should request a full on-site walkthrough rather than a rough phone estimate, since rust severity is difficult to judge accurately without seeing the fence in person. Why Wicker Park Homeowners Choose Windy City Painters Windy City Painters has become the trusted painting contractor for Chicago's North Side and Near West Side, and iron fence painting Wicker Park residents request most often reflects that reputation directly. In contrast to quick-fix contractors who paint straight over rust, Windy City Painters treats every project as a full restoration. As a result, clients get a finish that holds up through multiple Chicago winters rather than one. In addition, for related projects, Windy City Painters also offers interior painting, cabinet painting, drywall and plaster repair, and full metal refinishing services for fences, gates, and porches throughout the neighborhood. Ultimately, that range of services is what makes us a true one-stop contractor for Wicker Park homeowners. See more of our work and request a free estimate at www.windypainters.com. Ready to transform your Wicker Park home? Contact Windy City Painters for a free estimate — visit www.windypainters.com today. Proudly serving Wicker Park, West Town, Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, Lakeview, Ukrainian Village, River North, and all of Chicago.

Shigeru Ban: Metal Shutter House, 2010, New York, USA Photo by Michael Moran
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel in New York with white walls and no tv

© Jude Parkinson-Morgan All Rights Reserved
This is an example of a small contemporary concrete paver metal railing front porch design in San Francisco.

Lake Front Country Estate Family Room, design by Tom Markalunas, built by Resort Custom Homes. Photography by Rachael Boling.
Huge elegant open concept carpeted family room photo in Other with white walls and a wall-mounted tv

Historic 1913 North Shore Farmhouse Gets Complete Makeover 1913 Glenview, IL Farmhouse Glenview, Il. (December 10, 2013) — A century-old Glenview home successfully completed it’s extensive exterior restoration courtesy of Chicagoland home exterior company A.B. Edward Enterprises, Inc. Originally built in 1913, the house is a two-story framed farmhouse. View Entire Story >> http://bit.ly/1bvHPnT “These are the types of projects our company loves performing,” said Bo Mikuta, president of A.B. Edward. “When we met with the client we discussed the scope of the remodel, reviewed a list of project changes, and put together a workable budget, and we were very excited to be chosen as the sole contractor.” Remodeling this farmhouse required a myriad of exterior services, all provided by the one contractor. A.B. Edward rebuilt the porch entirely and restored the brick foundation. A.B. Edward also installed GAF roofing shingles, Pella windows, and James Hardie lap and shake siding. The complete list of services performed for the farmhouse’s renovation include the following: - GAF Roofing Shingles - James Hardie Siding - Pella Windows - Aluminum Gutter Gards - Custom Garage Doors - Wall Insulation - Masonry Chimney Rebuild - Electrical Installation / Repair - Carpentry Deck and Porch Build - Restoration of Brick Foundation Owner Megan McClug said: “How do you describe the work of successfully reviving a piece of history over 100 years old? Some might call it a miracle. We call it experience, talent and attention to detail. The exterior of our 100-year old farmhouse needed every bit of attention to make it an energy efficient and secure home for our young family. It was important to us to find a local-community company and also one with deep know-how about remodeling exteriors. A.B. Edward is the definition of an exterior home specialist, and our experience working with them was simply the best. A.B. Edward gave us a detailed construction contract and they were attentive to every change, addition and question we raised during both the bidding and finalization. Their entire crew worked very hard and were extremely efficient and clean. They also completed our project on time and within budget! A.B. Edward replaced our home’s roof, 22 windows, insulated the walls, new siding, gutters, garage door, and demolished and built a new porch within 3 months.” The Glenview farmhouse was built in 1913. It went on the market in 1961 with a non-conforming apartment on the second floor. A.B. Edward completed the exterior restoration in four months. A.B. Edward has been family owned and operated since it began business in 2003. Serving the Chicagoland area’s home exterior needs, A.B. Edward is located in Wheeling, IL, and can be contacted at (847) 827-1605 or info@abedward.com. “We are so happy with the look and feel of our remodeled exterior home. Thank you to everyone at AB Edward! ### About A.B. Edward Enterprises, Inc. Since 2003 A.B. Edward Enterprises, Incorporated has been providing Chicagoland homeowners with products and installations in the home exteriors industry. A.B. Edward has an unblemished A+ Better Business Bureau Rating, and is a repeat winner of the Angie’s List Super Service Award. A.B. Edward is a certified installer of the market’s top leading products including GAF, DaVinci, North Shore Prime, Greenstone Slate, Waldun Shake, James Hardie, Mastic, Pella, Velux, Marvin, Jeld-wen, Simonton, Advanced, and more. Today, the family-owned and operated business proudly employs more than 30 people, and their services go well beyond roofing to include masonry, insulation, decks, exterior painting, stucco, carpentry and more.

Here's what our clients from this project had to say: We LOVE coming home to our newly remodeled and beautiful 41 West designed and built home! It was such a pleasure working with BJ Barone and especially Paul Widhalm and the entire 41 West team. Everyone in the organization is incredibly professional and extremely responsive. Personal service and strong attention to the client and details are hallmarks of the 41 West construction experience. Paul was with us every step of the way as was Ed Jordon (Gary David Designs), a 41 West highly recommended designer. When we were looking to build our dream home, we needed a builder who listened and understood how to bring our ideas and dreams to life. They succeeded this with the utmost honesty, integrity and quality! 41 West has exceeded our expectations every step of the way, and we have been overwhelmingly impressed in all aspects of the project. It has been an absolute pleasure working with such devoted, conscientious, professionals with expertise in their specific fields. Paul sets the tone for excellence and this level of dedication carries through the project. We so appreciated their commitment to perfection...So much so that we also hired them for two more remodeling projects. We love our home and would highly recommend 41 West to anyone considering building or remodeling a home.

Here's what our clients from this project had to say: We LOVE coming home to our newly remodeled and beautiful 41 West designed and built home! It was such a pleasure working with BJ Barone and especially Paul Widhalm and the entire 41 West team. Everyone in the organization is incredibly professional and extremely responsive. Personal service and strong attention to the client and details are hallmarks of the 41 West construction experience. Paul was with us every step of the way as was Ed Jordon (Gary David Designs), a 41 West highly recommended designer. When we were looking to build our dream home, we needed a builder who listened and understood how to bring our ideas and dreams to life. They succeeded this with the utmost honesty, integrity and quality! 41 West has exceeded our expectations every step of the way, and we have been overwhelmingly impressed in all aspects of the project. It has been an absolute pleasure working with such devoted, conscientious, professionals with expertise in their specific fields. Paul sets the tone for excellence and this level of dedication carries through the project. We so appreciated their commitment to perfection...So much so that we also hired them for two more remodeling projects. We love our home and would highly recommend 41 West to anyone considering building or remodeling a home.

Interior Design By Krista Watterworth
Beach style medium tone wood floor bedroom photo in Miami with gray walls

Deborah De graffenreid
Trendy ceramic tile eat-in kitchen photo in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Created from a former breezeway this laundry room and mudroom is bright and cheery, Photos by Susan Gilmore
Inspiration for a mid-sized cottage single-wall porcelain tile laundry room remodel in Minneapolis with an utility sink, a side-by-side washer/dryer, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets and quartz countertops

Transitional kitchen photo in Atlanta with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, an island and quartz countertops

This beautiful, all-cedar privacy fence warmly welcomes visitors and keeps the eyes looking around the yard. The arbor extends over the patio to continue the green-black trim to better frame the white house. The HVAC units have been fenced in with a visual screen that lets airflow through - and the panels are removable for maintenance access. We also replaced the old planter boxes on the front windows.

Here's what our clients from this project had to say: We LOVE coming home to our newly remodeled and beautiful 41 West designed and built home! It was such a pleasure working with BJ Barone and especially Paul Widhalm and the entire 41 West team. Everyone in the organization is incredibly professional and extremely responsive. Personal service and strong attention to the client and details are hallmarks of the 41 West construction experience. Paul was with us every step of the way as was Ed Jordon (Gary David Designs), a 41 West highly recommended designer. When we were looking to build our dream home, we needed a builder who listened and understood how to bring our ideas and dreams to life. They succeeded this with the utmost honesty, integrity and quality! 41 West has exceeded our expectations every step of the way, and we have been overwhelmingly impressed in all aspects of the project. It has been an absolute pleasure working with such devoted, conscientious, professionals with expertise in their specific fields. Paul sets the tone for excellence and this level of dedication carries through the project. We so appreciated their commitment to perfection...So much so that we also hired them for two more remodeling projects. We love our home and would highly recommend 41 West to anyone considering building or remodeling a home.

Audrey Hall
Example of a trendy bathroom design in Other

My clients were having a modest sunroom installed off of their living room that connected to their deck area. It was a small space with two entrances. In order to maximize the floor space and offer versatility, I specified two swivel chairs with storage ottomans. The light fixtures, fan and small end table have an organic theme to marry the view from the outdoors with the interior space. A radiant heat tile floor will keep the room cozy all year round. However, with consideration to sunlight and the potential of extreme temperatures, outdoor rated fabric and furnishings were specified.

Holger Obenaus
Inspiration for a transitional dark wood floor family room remodel in Charleston with blue walls, a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Here's what our clients from this project had to say: We LOVE coming home to our newly remodeled and beautiful 41 West designed and built home! It was such a pleasure working with BJ Barone and especially Paul Widhalm and the entire 41 West team. Everyone in the organization is incredibly professional and extremely responsive. Personal service and strong attention to the client and details are hallmarks of the 41 West construction experience. Paul was with us every step of the way as was Ed Jordon (Gary David Designs), a 41 West highly recommended designer. When we were looking to build our dream home, we needed a builder who listened and understood how to bring our ideas and dreams to life. They succeeded this with the utmost honesty, integrity and quality! 41 West has exceeded our expectations every step of the way, and we have been overwhelmingly impressed in all aspects of the project. It has been an absolute pleasure working with such devoted, conscientious, professionals with expertise in their specific fields. Paul sets the tone for excellence and this level of dedication carries through the project. We so appreciated their commitment to perfection...So much so that we also hired them for two more remodeling projects. We love our home and would highly recommend 41 West to anyone considering building or remodeling a home.

Example of a large transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, brick backsplash, stainless steel appliances, white countertops, gray cabinets and an island

A contemporary kitchen designer's dream - with or without handles, wall hanging or floor mounted, the System Collection offers an extensive selection of standard elements and finishes to fit a wide range of modern kitchen layouts and flexible kitchen design budgets. Minimalism to the max. The System Collection allows the ancient and universal function of cooking to be a fun and fulfilling experience to participate in. While the System Collection does focus on the aesthetics of design and the materials used, the driving force behind the design has and will always be enjoying the kitchen and the pleasure of cooking. The System Collection is a modern kitchen that is easy and only creates light barriers between the living areas. One of the unique features of the System Collection is its ease of maintenance, making it one of the most hygienic contemporary kitchens available. System Collection’s ergonomic design gives it an extremely high rate of flexibility. Superior usage of space, ease of reaching every corner, top-notch organization and beautiful forms that follow superb function. Whether your goal is a contemporary Italian kitchen design or a large modern suburban kitchen, the System Collection offers endless design options - textured melamine with matching edges, hundreds of laminate colors (matte or glossy) with or without aluminum edges, eco wood with aluminum edges, painted glass, and the entire range of Pedini lacquer colors (matte, textured and high gloss).