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Exterior Iron Railing: Stairs, Decks, Wrought Iron And Cast Iron

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Published: June 13, 2007

Homeowners who decide to adorn their property with iron railing follow in the proud tradition of sixteenth and seventeenth century wealthy landowners. Keeping up with the Joneses proved to be as difficult back then as it is today. Because of the costly and time-consuming process of the elegant designs custom crafted by welding artisans, only the richest of the rich could afford this luxury. Iron railing has retained its allure throughout the centuries, due to its durability and malleability, but modern welding techniques have made this practical décor more affordable for families lagging behind the Rockefellers and Kennedys.

Wrought iron is a durable material for exterior railing. Wrought iron, or worked iron, is a fibrous material with splinters of slag blended in, creating a wood-like grain. Wrought iron railing is now usually made with mild steel (a cheaper, stronger imitation) that has been processed to look like authentic wrought iron. An inspired collection of wrought iron balcony railing that would wow the designers' sixteenth century forerunners can be found at Seoic.com.

Another popular material for exterior railing is cast iron, a substance that has been used to make bridges, kettles, and steam engine cylinders. Cast iron is more brittle than wrought iron or steel, but is still very strong. Metacast, specializing in iron railing and furniture, has a creative line of outdoor spiral staircases. These stair rails include one design with scroll design tread ends, modeled after the antique Victorian style. Green, blue, black and brown are the striking color options for Metacast's ornate stair rails.

Balconies and staircases aren't the only outdoor spaces that can benefit from the safety precaution of iron railing. Porch and deck rails enhance the structure and look of any home. Elegant iron deck rails can complement an existing wood or composite deck, and is well-coupled with a Metacast cast iron lamp post, porch bench, or planter. The Fortress decks and balconies iron railing gallery can be found Fortressiron.com.

In addition to shopping for iron railing from online manufacturers, homeowners can visit events like Peninsula Spring Home and Garden Show or the Garden State Home Show. Shopping at these venues is an excellent way to compare iron railing competitors. Hiring a contractor is the safe choice for most families, but a do-it-yourself approach can save money that could be better spent on the product. Carpentry tools (screwdriver, level, electric drill, hammer, etc.) are necessary when installing iron railing. Local building codes sometimes have railing height and rail spacing requirements, so it's important to do a little research.

Iron railing, like any good investment, is worth the upkeep. To maintain exterior iron railing, use a protective lacquer as soon as it has been installed. Applying a rust neutralizer will prevent chipping and rust. Then try to keep the iron clean, dry and free from standing water, making sure to promptly touch up chipped areas.

Whether colored cast iron or antique wrought iron, streamlined or florid, an appropriate design can be found to complement any home. Victorian or modern, quaint or palatial, iron railing can be found to enhance the safety and appearance of the home's deck, balconies, and outdoor staircases. This timeless favorite has been in style for hundreds of years, and it seems the stock is only going up.


Sources
Wrought Iron & Aluminum.Southeastern Ornamental Iron Co., Inc. 11 June 2007. http://www.seoic.com/seoic_025.htm.
“Cast Iron.” Wikipedia. 9 June 2007. 11 June 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cast_iron.
Cast Iron Spiral Staircase. Metacast Engineering Works Pvt. Ltd. 11 June 2007. http://www.castironfurniture.in/cast_iron_spiral_s taircase.html.
Caxton, Andrew. “Why Iron Railings Remain So Popular.” EzineArticles. 29 Nov. 2006. 11 June 2007. http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Iron-Railings-Remain -So-Popular&id=371699.
Crafts Trade Shows. Wrought Iron Crafts B2B Marketplace. 11 June 2007. http://www.wrought-iron-crafts.com/crafts-trade-sh ows.html.
Decks and Balconies Gallery. Fortress Iron Railing and Fence Systems. 11 June 2007. http://www.fortressiron.com/Gallery-Decks.htm.
Magnificent wrought iron deck railings, gazebos, gates, fencing and balustrades give a stylish, romantic look and feel to your home and garden. Learn About Deck Design Upgrades. 11 June 2007. 11 June 2007. http://www.deckdesign.learnabout.info/articles/31w roughtiron.htm.
Project Overview Install an Iron Railing. Do It Yourself Or Not. 1999-2007. 11 June 2007. http://www.diyornot.com/sample/project.asp?ndx1=1& amp;ndx2=5&ndx3=0&Rcd=252.
Top Reasons Why Iron Railings Are Gaining Popularity. Deck-Porch-Railings.com. 2006. 11 June 2007. http://www.deck-porch-railings.com/iron_deck.html.
“Wrought Iron.” Wikipedia. 7 May 2007. 11 June 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrought_iron.

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