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