Wrought iron railings blend well with wooden posts on this house.
Railings made of wrought iron look appealing both inside and outside a home. The railings will enhance the look of certain types of interior staircase designs. They also will fit certain spaces in the home as room dividers. A railing looks appropriate between a room and a step-down level, for example. Wrought iron railings add elegance to exterior porches and patios, too. It's important to select railings that match the home's architecture, since flimsy railings will detract from a home's value. The railings should blend well with a room or the home's exterior instead of standing out too much. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Measure all the space for railings. Examine railings catalogs to learn about materials and pricing. Never install cheap railings, since they will warp and bend over time. Plan to utilize high-quality railings crafted to last for many years. Visit well-built homes to examine styles and designs for support posts and balusters.
2. Sketch the basic shape of wrought iron railings in a given space. Space the balusters properly to fit the overall house design. Figure out ways to incorporate wrought iron railings with wooden support posts, if this is appropriate. Use iron railings for a more open or delicate look when wooden railings would look too overpowering. Keep in mind that iron railings usually don't stand out so much from curbside. Plan them to add unity to the structural details of the house facade, neatly tying everything together.
3. Install fancy wrought iron railings for an artistic touch. Use more ornate railings in garden spaces or on a home reminiscent of the Old South, for example. Sketch the house and yard, so all aspects of doors, windows and shutters factor into the railings design. Plan a balanced look that is appropriate for the building's exterior material, such as brick or stucco. Decide how much the railings should stand out, since some designs do call for a bolder look.
4. Plan appropriate colors for railings. Use black to bring out white stucco texture on a home, for example. Incorporate painted railings in hunter green or burgundy with certain types of brick. Design the railings to either contrast sharply for great visual appeal, or blend harmoniously with the building facade. Use railings that look appropriate both up close and from a distance.
5. Select hardware carefully. Plan to install all railings with high-quality hardware that will support a lot of weight. Keep in mind that railings will receive wear and tear from children, family members and guests, plus strong winds if they are outdoors. Choose hardware that will not rust on concrete or other surfaces, and plan ways to secure railings so hardware isn't too obvious. Use bolts, for example, to secure railings to wooden posts instead of bold pieces of angle-iron, which will definitely show from every angle.
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