The Enduring Appeal of the Wrought Iron Fence

Fences are a highly useful security measure for any property, and they can also be quite gorgeous. The most iconic fence throughout history is the wrought iron fence, and almost anyone can call to mind an image of this classic design.

What Is Wrought Iron?

Wrought iron is one of the oldest forms of metalwork. The traditional method is both time-consuming and labor-intensive. You can see for yourself the intricacy of the work by looking at a wrought iron fence. 

Blacksmiths would use heat and their strength and skill with a hammer to shape the metal. Each piece was worked, or wrought, into the desired shape and then welded together to form the finished product. 

Although real wrought iron can still be found, today’s methods and materials actually use carbon steel. 

How Was It Made?

There are three methods to make a wrought iron fence:

• Bloomery involves heating the metal over a charcoal fire until it’s malleable enough to shape it.
• Puddling is the process of melting metal or raw material before shaping. 
• The Aston process, created by James Aston in 1925, combined a more complex method of heating and then freezing the raw material to get the desired shape. 

While the commercial manufacturing of wrought iron ended in the 1960s, there are still craftsmen that use these old methods. 

Why Is It So Popular?

A wrought iron fence or other construction was, and still is, so appealing because of its durability and beauty. The material can withstand a lot of use without corroding or needing any kind of maintenance. It’s also available in many styles and designs that fit a range of tastes.

Wrought iron has been used in some of the most interesting and enduring historical landmarks across the world, such as the Iron Pillar of India and France’s Eiffel Tower.

There is nothing quite like the timeless beauty of a wrought iron fence. Whether you opt for the traditional look or want to add a modern twist to your design, you can’t go wrong with this choice to add protection and visual appeal to your property.