It should come as no surprise that when it comes to the things they use around the house, individuals frequently choose metal. Who wouldn’t want to use wrought iron fencing when there are so many advantages? For starters, the material is more bendable than wood, requiring less maintenance and potentially outlasting the latter by more than twice in terms of lifespan.
What is Wrought Iron?
Wrought iron is one of the most prevalent malleable metals available today. It has been used to make wrought iron fencing, tools, weapons, trains, and even warships. This low-carbon type of iron was coveted for its ease of workability while remaining strong enough for functional and aesthetic purposes. Because the metal was battered out by hand with a hammer, it was called “worked.”
Steel superseded this type of iron in most commercial uses as it became more widely accessible and the methods for working it improved. The difference between it and mild steel is in its strength and durability.
Wrought iron fencing resists corrosion. The metal can be treated at higher temperatures, allowing the material to be easily structured into a variety of shapes. Wrought iron, used to build railings and bridges, has survived hundreds of years with little care or repair, demonstrating its super strength and durability.
Today, most wrought iron fences are composed of steel or cast iron. Despite the fact that you won’t notice a difference in the overall appearance, mild steel or cast iron will corrode with time. Garden or patio furniture, fences, stairway banisters, gates, fences, and balconies are all examples of its flexibility.
Reclaimed metal can be found in antique markets and scrap metal dealers. If you’re looking for wrought iron fencing in the original form, expect to dig deep in your pockets.
Wrought Iron vs Cast Iron
Both wrought and cast iron are unquestionably by-products of iron. They do, however, have significant distinctions that make both materials excellent, albeit for different purposes.
Wrought and cast iron are fundamentally different in terms of production. You should know that wrought iron is made by heating iron and shaping or reshaping it with tools. Wrought, as a noun, implies that it’s shaped by hammering. The latter is named after the process of melting iron, pouring it into a cast, and then solidifying it.
It is tempered by heating and cooling down, and the final result is always stronger. Because of this, when choosing materials for iron fences and gates, it is frequently a top choice.
What Is the Life Expectancy of Wrought Iron Fencing?
Due to its numerous advantages over brick, wood and other metals wrought iron has become an extremely popular material for both commercial and residential settings. The typical lifespan of wrought iron depends on some of the aspects that affect its endurance.
People looking for better seating solutions for porches, lawns, and patios want something that is both attractive and long-lasting. Because wrought iron can be incorporated into practically any design, many use it for outdoor furniture, design fixtures, not just fences.
Metal furniture is less likely to blow away in rainstorms, but it’s still light enough to move around for new seating configurations for any occasion. Moisture causes wood furniture to decay or become infested with insects. Cheap plastic patio furniture is not a great investment at all. It breaks often, necessitating frequent replacement.
Wrought iron that is kept outside and properly cared for can survive much beyond a person’s lifetime, frequently for 60 years or longer.