What Are The Main Components of a Wrought Iron Fence?

What Are The Main Components of a Wrought Iron Fence?

If you’ve ever had a fence constructed or are researching your options, you might have encountered terms like spires, pickets, posts, and rails. But what about finials, cover flanges, and escutcheons? Here is a rundown of some of the main components of a wrought iron fence.

Structural Components

One of the main structural components of a fence is called members or rails. These horizontal elements help hold a fence together and are crucial for the overall structure. Located at the top of a wrought iron fence, they run parallel to the ground and connect fence panels to the posts. Additional horizontal members are often added to create housings for decorative elements like internal scrolling.

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Vertical Members and Pickets

Vertical members, also known as spires, are the vertical pieces of wrought iron that serve as the fence's posts. Pickets are the vertical pieces that make up the center of a fence panel. These are welded to the rails and can also be known as balusters. Picket castings are ornamental elements attached to a picket for decoration.

Finials

Finials are decorative tips welded atop your wrought iron fence or gate, often adding a classic touch. Commonly known as an urn, these devices originally accentuated the tops of walls, buildings, and other structures. Today, many finials also adorn clocks, archways, flagpoles, and bedposts.

Posts

Posts are square pieces on wrought iron fences bolted to a surface or buried in concrete. They serve as the elements from which fence panels hang and connect a wrought iron fence or gate to the ground.

Columns and Post Caps

Columns are round or square pillars flanking an entranceway, often decorated or protected by a cover flange or escutcheon, typically found around the base of a post or where the rail ends against a wall. Decorative pieces atop a post, known as post caps, keep debris and water from accumulating inside. These come in various designs, from ball-style caps to less ornate flat or standard post caps.

Fence Brackets

Fence brackets are unique to wrought iron fences and hold the fencing components to the posts. These slide over the rails, set against the posts, and are often secured with a self-tapping screw. Aluminum fencing doesn’t use brackets; instead, rails are slid into punches in the aluminum post and then secured with a screw.

Gate Structures

In wrought iron gate construction, U-frames or gate frames serve as the backbone of gates. Different manufacturers use different approaches, but fully welded frames in a U shape ensure the gate won't sag.

What Are Some Decorative Elements Used on Wrought Iron Fencing?

Wrought iron fencing can include numerous decorative elements, with scrolls being one of the most common. These are based on the top of a spire curling around itself. Other aesthetic elements include S and C scrolls, twists, decorative insets, symbols, and symmetrical elements. Popular designs encompass spirals, swirls, spears, vines, intricate curves, arches, twisted columns, gothic shapes, baroque-inspired designs, and circle and sphere accents.

Leaves and flowers are other decorative elements widely used in wrought iron fence construction. Leaves can be single, double, dished, or pressed, and flowers can take practically any form, including classic flora like daisies and roses. The only limit is your imagination!

How Are These Decorative Elements Used in Different Homes?

Wrought iron fences suit various home types, enhancing their aesthetic appeal. Federation-style homes often favor baroque or vine-style designs with leafy patterns, swirls, and gothic elements. Bar-style fencing, including ornate poles and imitation picket fence tops, complements this type of home, especially if it’s white or grey-toned. The black wrought iron contrasts stunningly with these colors.

Country cottages benefit from more delicate wrought iron fences with features like spiral details or simple arches, offering a quaint alternative to timber picket fences.

A vertical bar design is popular for contemporary homes. Malleable wrought iron allows for limitless design options, including gold swirls and accents that add distinction and a modern outlook.

Townhouse developments also benefit from wrought iron fences. Spirals, intricate curves, and classic spears and columns provide aesthetic interest while maintaining a consistent visual element.

After a customized wrought iron fence that exhibits creative flair? Contact the experts at Prestige Wrought Iron on 3814 0076.