Aluminum or ornamental iron for Miami's climate?
Aluminum
Aluminum is a natural fit for humid, salty air. It does not rust, does not need repainting on a schedule and is light enough to install without heavy equipment. It is less strong than steel, so heavy gates and very tall security fences may call for thicker frames or a different material.
Ornamental iron and steel
Iron and steel give more strength and allow detailed custom work. The trade-off is rust. Near the bay and coast, even well-painted steel needs regular touch-ups where the coating chips, and scratches should be repaired early. Galvanizing under the paint helps.
Wind and storms
Open picket styles let wind pass through, which usually helps in a storm compared with solid panels. Miami-Dade is in the High Velocity Hurricane Zone, so ask what the design is rated for and what your permit requires. No fence is storm-proof.

