| Wrought iron continues to be popular for many | | | | time to make. They were fired until bright |
| reasons.Learn a bit about the history and | | | | red and then the iron was hammered manually |
| process of wrought iron railings and why | | | | into the shape through labor intensive |
| people love them. | | | | processes which made them extremely expensive |
| | | | and only owned by very wealthy and important |
| Wrought iron , including railings continues | | | | people. Some had to wait a long time for |
| to be a popular choice for homes. Why has it | | | | their orders to be fulfilled through custom |
| retained its charm despite changes in the way | | | | craftsmen. |
| people decorate their homes and gardens? | | | | |
| | | | Cast iron railings were done through hot |
| Wrought iron railings blends in with pretty | | | | liquid iron that was placed into molds made |
| well any décor and adds an elegant and | | | | of sand. Cast iron railings weren't easy to |
| rich feel to its environment. Whether you | | | | repair though and were prone to cracking. |
| have railings around your porch, around your | | | | Mild steel railings were also quite popular |
| stairs or the perimeter of your home | | | | in the middle 1700's and they were easy to |
| (fencing) or cottage, wrought iron looks | | | | form so became very popular for railings and |
| great and is stable and durable. | | | | fences. |
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| Wrought iron railings have been around for | | | | A little about modern Wrought Iron railings |
| several generations. Even as far back as the | | | | |
| sixteenth century, it was used in expensive, | | | | As technology progressed, techniques were |
| wealthy homes and important buildings such as | | | | developed that would allow metal craftsmen |
| museums and government offices. The wealthy | | | | more choices and the ability to manipulate |
| population wanted iron products and it took | | | | iron rods into various intricate designs. |
| skilled craftsmen to create it for them in | | | | Welding also developed and wrought iron |
| cast iron, wrought iron and in steel. | | | | became more widely available and more |
| | | | accessible financially. This also made repair |
| A bit about early iron railings | | | | more feasible. |
| | | | |
| Despite ever changing trends, railings | | | | While wrought iron is the same material as it |
| continue to blend with the times. Many things | | | | always was, new techniques allow it to be |
| come and go in style and fashion but wrought | | | | less expensive to make and easier to treat, |
| iron seems to be immune to obsolescence. | | | | maintain and repair. You can buy it ready |
| While most railings in the sixteen century, | | | | made or still, have customized orders done. |
| even for royalty, were made with wrought | | | | |
| iron, some were even made of silver and gold | | | | Regularly cleaning your iron and inspecting |
| with many styles and designs including | | | | it for corrosion or rust can help it last |
| monograms or family crests. | | | | longer and be around to be appreciated by |
| | | | your children and perhaps your grandchildren |
| Early wrought iron railings took a very long | | | | as well. |