Wrought iron can be worked into any type of design.
Homeowners can choose from many different materials for their residential landscaping needs. Wood, vinyl, steel aluminum, composite, stone and brick can all be used as edging for garden beds, around trees, along driveways and for other purposes. Wrought iron edging for border areas makes a distinctive statement with a variety of designs and colors to suit your most creative landscaping schemes. Does this Spark an idea?
About Iron Border Edging
When landscapers speak of "iron" edging, they generally mean wrought iron-type styling or other types of materials that are made from steel. Real "iron" is an old-fashioned material that has many drawbacks, including a susceptibility to rusting. Steel contains other components that make it less likely to corrode, and a number of finishes are often applied to the surface to help retard rusting. Wrought iron uses steel that is worked into different shapes and designs that make garden areas look artistic and traditional. Plain iron edging gives garden areas a clean and tailored look; see examples at the Garden Iron website. Because iron and steel last much longer than other materials such as vinyl or wood, it is a more expensive edging material.
Advantages of Iron Border Edging
Iron designs come in a wide range of styles, from the extremely simple to the highly ornate. Wrought iron border edging can be finished in the traditional black color, or given a livelier look with a variety of colors to match the home. Wrought iron edging can be fabricated into different heights to fill different landscaping needs. It keeps its finish in inclement weather. Wrought iron does not rot like wood and cannot be invaded by insects.
Disadvantages of Iron Border Edging
Of course, cost factors into the iron design, as the more complicated it is, the more time, labor and material are likely to go into the final product. This gives wrought iron edging a larger initial cost. Iron and wrought iron is subject to corrosion, so the protective paint or powder coating must be renewed periodically to prevent corrosion. Powder coating is a process that applies pigment, along with a resin, to the surface of metal electrostatically. This coating is baked on at high temperatures for a long-lasting finish that protects the metal, according to the Powder Coating Institute website.
Maintaince of Iron Border Edging
Iron and wrought iron edging can be cleaned with soap and water. The painted finish must be reapplied every two to three years. Rust should be removed before refinishing by sanding it with sandpaper or a metal file. Apply phosphoric acid to rust spots to help inhibit further corrosion. A rust-inhibiting primer and paint will help to protect the iron for several years.
Tags: iron edging, Wrought iron, Iron Border Edging, Iron Border, Border Edging, wrought iron, Border Edging
