Are wrought iron fences a good investment?
Wrought iron fences are beautiful and sophisticated to look at; they provide a high-end look, so most people prefer them. But the high maintenance costs and the upfront cost make them a costly investment for your home. Aluminum fences are also good-looking but not as intricate as wrought iron fences.
Should I get a wrought iron or aluminum fence?
There are many benefits of installing a wrought iron fence:
- Heavy duty – good for excessive wear and tear
- Durable and long lasting
- Great for high security settings
- Decorative, elegant and traditional look
- Rigid material that is not flexible
- Perfect for historic districts
- Best installed on level or flat terrain or on top of a retaining wall
- Low Maintenance
- Wrought iron fences can also be made of aluminum or steel
How to calculate the cost of wrought iron fencing?
Wrought Iron Prices Per Foot
- Plain Black Iron. At $24 to $30 per linear foot, this option is the least expensive. Plain materials tend to put function above style.
- Galvanized. For $28 to $32 per linear foot , you can buy pre-galvanized posts and panels. Each will have a protective layer of zinc.
- Ornamental. Ornamental options typically cost between $27 and $34 per linear foot. ...
What do you need to know about wrought iron fences?
What Are the Parts Called?
- Posts: Also referred to as columns, these are the vertical parts that hold the structure up. They are usually buried several feet into the ground and reinforced with concrete.
- Rails: These pieces are attached to the posts horizontally, running parallel to the ground, and are usually on the back.
- Pickets or slats: These can be vertical or horizontal. ...
How can I tell if my fence is wrought iron?
Wrought iron, being carbon-free, will throw long sparks. These have few branches. Puddled wrought iron tends to have a reddish spark while steel produces white sparks. Both wrought and pure iron spark the same.
What is the difference between an aluminum fence and a wrought iron fence?
Aluminum fencing is maintenance free and will never need to be painted. It will never rust, chip, crack, or peel. The wrought iron fencing from Fence-Depot is a heavy duty fence. It is a good choice if excessive wear and tear is anticipated, and ideal for high security settings.
What is special about wrought iron?
Wrought iron is highly malleable, allowing it to be heated, and re-heated, and worked into various shapes—wrought iron grows stronger the more it's worked and is characterized by its fibrous appearance. Wrought iron contains less carbon than cast iron, making it softer and more ductile.
Why is wrought iron so expensive?
Why is Wrought Iron So Expensive? Wrought iron is made by repeatedly heating and reworking cast iron. This manufacturing process that gives wrought iron its laminar structure makes it a costly material. It has a far higher tensile strength and is more ductile than cast iron.
Which is more expensive wrought iron or aluminum fence?
aluminum fence cost. Due to the price of materials and the relative difficulty of installation, wrought iron fences are usually more expensive than aluminum fences—but not by much.
Which is better wrought iron or steel?
Wrought iron is prone to rust, whereas steel contains nickel and chromium, making it more resistant to rust. Without these elements, steel isn't as resistant and doesn't have the longevity of iron. With proper care and protection, however, wrought iron can be free of rust and will stand the test of time.
Why isnt wrought iron made anymore?
Mild steel, which also has low carbon content, contains many of the properties of wrought iron. Because mild steel is cheaper and easier to mass produce, the raw material wrought iron gradually disappeared, until the last ironworks ceased production in the 1970's.
Does wrought iron rust easily?
There's only one downside—wrought iron contains a lot of carbon atoms1, and when these atoms come into contact with moisture, dirt, or grime, rust can quickly form. This means that wrought iron needs regular maintenance to prevent rust from forming, as well as the knowledge required to maintain it properly.
What does wrought iron look like?
1:455:59Identifying wrought iron - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOne of the things that tends to make wrought iron unique when compared to mild steel is the factMoreOne of the things that tends to make wrought iron unique when compared to mild steel is the fact that it has a grain structure.
Is wrought iron fence worth?
PRO #1 – STRENGTH AND DURABILITY When it comes to a strong a durable fence, wrought iron is hard to beat. The steel and iron construction when coated properly (like we do with our galvanization and high quality powder coating) should outlast you!
Is wrought iron fence cheaper than wood?
Wood fencingthat is 6' tall runs about $15. Vinyl fencing is the second most expensive material to use, averaging at $20. Wrought iron is the most expensive type of fencing to use, and it ranges from $20 to $30.
Which is better cast iron or wrought iron?
Wrought iron is also stronger than cast iron. Each time wrought iron is heated and worked, it becomes a little stronger. Because of its strength, wrought iron is often used in commercial applications. While wrought iron is stronger, cast iron is harder than its counterpart.
Wrought Iron Fence
Our Stronghold Iron ® fencing is the obvious choice when you want that old world look with modern performance. Authentic sand cast iron finials adorn the top of each picket and are included as standard on every fence we sell. Each finial, picket / rail intersection and gate frame is fully welded for unsurpassed strength & security.
Classic
Our Classic iron fence is our best seller due to it's timeless look that goes with many different architectural designs. The Quad Flair Finial is sand cast rather than die cast resulting in a slightly rougher, more organic look and feel. As a proper fence should, each finial is welded to each picket NOT glued or screwed like the competition.
Hoop and Picket
Our Hoop & Picket iron fence is the quintessential style that most people think of when you say wrought iron fence. Our craftsman bend each hoop by hand over a picket that has our quad flair finial welded to it; completing this vintage look.
Puppy Picket
Our Puppy Picket iron fence has shorter 18" pickets at the bottom of the fence panel between the normal full length pickets along with welded quad flair finials on both. This is a popular design queue from wrought iron fences of yesteryear that we capitalize on to create a functional fence for pets.
Pool
Our Pool style iron fence is a design with purpose. A smooth top rail and flush bottom rail meets National BOCA Pool Code and as a result most local pool codes. What makes it a great pool fence also makes it a great barrier for a patio, deck, or on top of a wall when combined with our welded post flanges.
Wrought Iron Fence 101
An increasing number of homeowners are installing wrought iron fences to enhance the curb appeal of their property. The fact of the matter is that wrought iron fences offer more to a property than aesthetics, whether the property is residential or commercial. Here are some basic wrought iron fence facts that you should know.
Definition of Terms
In technical terms, wrought iron is a low carbon iron alloy. Cast iron, on the other hand, is a high carbon iron alloy. Among other differences between the two, wrought iron is stronger and more malleable than the latter, which is why wrought iron has been the traditional choice for objects that need shaping.
Benefits at a Glance
A wrought iron fence proves beneficial on many fronts. Some of the leading advantages are:
Installation of Wrought Iron Fences
As mentioned above, the success of your fence installation depends not only on the type of material used but also on the ability of the installation professional (s). The ironwork specialist you hire has to be skilled at cutting, mitering, and beveling metal as per your needs.
How Much Does a Wrought Iron Fence Cost Installed?
The average Wrought iron fence cost $26 to $36 per linear foot. So what this mean is for a 6′ high fence running 160′ feet in length will cost you $4,960 on average for installation. However, this doesn’t take into account the cost of: Footings, posts, post brackets and difficult site-work. Each footing costs on average $100 each.
Wrought Iron Gate Prices
Unless you’re buying a custom made gate for your home, wrought iron gate cost between $325 for a single-swinging gate to $3,800 for a driveway gate.
Iron Fence Costs vs. Aluminum, Steel and Other Metals
If you’re not sure about the best metal for your fence, use this chart to compare them:
Wrought Iron Fencing – Pricing and Installation Cost Checklist
Get at least 3-5 estimates before hiring a fencing contractor — estimates are typically free, unless it’s a service call for a repair.
What is the difference between iron and steel?
Or in more basic terms, iron is a standalone ingredient that can be harvested from the earth whereas steel is a product made from iron and carbon combined. So, what does this mean to you when looking for fence? It means read the fine print and ask questions.
Is sandcast iron good for shaped detail?
Because while steel is excellent for rolling, stamping and cutting; it is not as good for shaped detail work. Sand-cast iron allows us to craft a more artistic piece that is not only strong, but beautiful. STEEL – Steel fence is what majority of the metal fence available today (except aluminum) is comprised of.
Is steel better than iron?
Steel is a superior material to work with, so it has been favored over iron for the last 80-90 years. I would consider our Stronghold Iron the closest to an authentic iron fence on the market today.
Is ductile iron stronger than steel?
Not necessarily, but they sacrifice the beauty of a combined steel and iron look for less expensive manufacturing. Even on something as boring as the fence bracket, our ductile iron brackets are MUCH stronger than the stamped steel collars they other fence manufacturers use.
