A wrought iron fence is a gorgeous addition to your yard. It's highly durable and strong. Likewise, with those pointy finials on top, it's difficult to climb. When you think of wrought iron, though, you may think of an elaborate historic style. Indeed, historically wrought iron fencing signified wealth and is still a signature attraction of some cities.
An elaborate wrought iron fence may work for your property. You may prefer to scale it down to a simpler style. You may even choose to mix the metal with another material. Wrought iron is a customizable material, so you can choose the fence style that best works for your home.
Brief History of Wrought Iron Fencing
Using the material for fencing dates back to historical Europe when only monarchs and the wealthiest nobles could afford it. Back then, all wrought iron was hand-forged.
The style didn't become popular in Colonial America until after the Industrial Revolution, when manufacturing processes and the presence of more ironworkers made the metal fencing more affordable. Still, it was primarily used only for wealthy homes.
Style of your House
One of the biggest considerations for choosing a wrought iron fence is how it will complement your property. Naturally, because of wrought iron's history, it's an ideal complement for Colonial homes. Victorian, Tudor and other styles of historical houses also benefit from having wrought iron fencing. If you have such a home, one of the elaborate styles of this fencing is ideal.
Wrought iron fencing is also traditional for regional styles of homes, such as Mediterranean, Mission and Southwestern. With these styles, the material is mixed with another. For instance, you see wrought iron on top of an adobe fence in front of Mission-style homes.
At the heart of it, iron fencing consists of posts, pickets, rails and finials. It's possible to choose a fence in unadorned iron. The straight lines and obvious geometry of such a fence complement any style of modern or contemporary home.
Security Needs
One of the main reasons homeowners have fencing erected is for security. When you're choosing a style of wrought iron fencing, you'll want to keep that in mind. For instance, those elaborate designs with all the curves do give people a foothold.
Another use for wrought iron fencing is around swimming pools. With these fences, homeowners usually choose one of the simpler styles. The main purpose here is to prevent children from climbing over the fence, so many communities have strict codes regulating the height of the fence and spacing between its elements.
Color Options
The most common color for wrought iron fencing is black. However, new technologies in manufacturing allow for powder coating the metal. This process not only inhibits rust and alleviates a lot of fence maintenance but also gives you color options for your metal fencing.
Many of the popular colors are naturalistic. You see organic colors such as brown, beige and green. These work well if you want your fence to recede into the background a little. For instance, if you have a wide expanse of lawn, you may choose a green wrought iron fence.
Typical metal colors, such as silver, gold and bronze, are also common. Choosing one of these is another way to ensure your fence doesn't stand out as much as a stark black one. They also help you match colors within your façade.
Wrought iron also comes in bolder colors such as red, blue and white. Some homeowners like to use these colors to add a touch of whimsy to their properties.
Wrought iron is a good fencing choice to boost the curb appeal and value of your house. Come visit Sam's Fencing, Inc. to explore the different options for wrought iron fence designs.