subject: An Overview of Wrought Iron Rails [print this page] Wrought iron railing can be found in common houses as well as prestigious bungalows and mansions. Although many different materials, such as wood and metal can be used for the same purpose, wrought iron has been the preferred material for centuries. Presently, wrought iron is used more for beauty than utility. It has an elegance about it that most other materials lack. Wrought iron rails will add an element of ornate elegance to the house.
Wrought iron railing can be found across the country but is seen predominantly in the southern states like Mississippi, Georgia, and Louisiana. The railings not only make the houses there more picturesque, but also evoke the romance of past centuries and make for a visual delight. No other type of material can match the easy charm of wrought iron railing.
One might imagine that these railings only complement beautiful houses. However, even run down houses or those in a bad state of repair can increase their value just by the virtue of having wrought iron railing. This is the reason why railings of this type have been popular for centuries.
It was during the time of the industrial revolution that wrought iron railings became popular. They have been increasing in popularity ever since. In that era, having wrought iron rails was a symbol of prestige and affluence. Ornate wrought iron railing leading to the door distinguished the elite. In modern times though, these railings are more an indicator of taste rather than affluence.
Versatility is another virtue of railings made of wrought iron. They can be used indoors as well as outdoors. They can be employed as porch railings and can even be used to provide your deck with an elegant appearance. If your house has a winding staircase, mating it with wrought iron railing can provide an old world charm that will impress any visitor.
It takes highly skilled craftsmen to create spectacular shapes. Most of the wrought iron railings are bespoke, or made to order. However, it is possible to buy used railings in order to fit your budget and still give your house an antique appearance. You can find companies that do home renovations that can provide you with used railings.
An advantage of wrought iron railings over railings made of other materials, other than aesthetics, is that they are long lasting. They do not require much maintenance and just painting them every few years suffices. One of the only problems that one may face when using these railings is that the concrete in which they are set may erode and require replacement.
It is recommended that only a licensed contractor installs wrought iron rails. However, if you wish to do it yourself, you can find a number of informative websites that provide step by step instructions for installation.
