Ornamental iron fences, also known as wrought iron fences, are manufactured three distinctive ways. Hand-forged, cast iron and aluminum extrusion.
Hand-forged ornamental iron was the first type of steel fencing dating back to the early 1800’s. Individual parts were hand-forged in iron shops, where the steel was heated at high temperatures and formed into shape by a black smith. Forged metal is extremely durable but due to the process involved of forging each part takes a considerable amount of time to make which drives the cost up. Today, this type of fencing is extremely rare with very few craftsmen making this type of ornamental fencing.
Cast iron ornamental fencing became popular in the early 1900’s due to the cost efficiency of manufacturing the different components of ornamental fencing. Cast iron utilizes molds for the different parts. Steel is melted to extreme temperatures and poured into molds. Once cooled the parts are separated from the molds, cleaned of burns and excess edges and ready for painting. There are several large manufacturers who supply primarily welding sloops who produce the bulk of cast iron ornamental fencing in today’s market.
