Wrought Iron or Steel?
Choosing the right material for your metalwork project is absolutely crucial. It will effect everything from design and aesthetics to longevity and strength, as well as the cost of your project.
With most metalwork fabrications, the two main contenders will be wrought iron and steel. Deciding which material to use can be a daunting task, but this article laying out some of the key benefits and drawbacks of wrought iron fabrication and steel fabrication is a good place to start.
Wrought iron
The word “wrought” in wrought iron literally just means “worked”. It gets its name from the way it can be hammered, moulded and shaped with the use of heat into intricate and impressive designs.
Throughout history it has been used to make tools and weapons along with its decorative and domestic uses because it is so easy to work with.
Steel
Eventually the steelmaking process was refined and made easier, becoming more energy and cost efficient because it could be mass produced. It took over from wrought iron in the production of things such as machines and infrastructure, as well as tools and household objects.
Steel is an alloy made primarily from iron and carbon, plus some other elements. A particularly popular variety of steel is stainless steel.
Factors to consider
When choosing between wrought iron and steel for your metalwork project, whatever that might be, there are some key factors to consider:
Design
What do you want your metalwork to look like? Wrought iron offers a timeless and elegant appeal and can be shaped into much more intricate and detailed designs than steel can. It blends well with more traditional aesthetics and older buildings.
Steel can provide a sleek and modern look with a sparkling finish. A perfect fit for a more industrial or minimalist look, and a great option for commercial buildings with its streamlined aesthetic and no fuss.
Durability
When treated correctly, both wrought iron and steel can be extremely long lasting and durable.
Wrought iron can last for generations – that’s why there’s so much of it still around from bygone eras and is considered such a classic material for metalwork. It also tends to show signs of damage very slowly and gradually, so it is very easy to maintain.
Stainless steel is resistant to corrosion and very strong, but can break under sudden impact, so environmental factors are important to consider.
Cost
Steel is slightly cheaper than wrought iron because it is cheaper to produce, as it is typically manufactured on a large scale. However, wrought iron is much quicker to shape and mould, so costs could balance out overall depending on the project.
For advice on which materials to use for your metalwork project, just get in touch with us. Our team of experts have decades of experience and will be more than happy to help.
