Unlike standard chainlink fences, wrought iron fences have a number of components.
Whether you're just a curious homeowner or you have a wrought iron fence in need of repair, it's important to know the parts of your wrought iron fence in case you ever need to replace them. If you're fixing an older fence, try to find out when the fence was constructed before you start your repairs. True wrought iron fences haven't been produced since the 1960s and 1970s. Today, iron fences are usually constructed from galvanized steel. Does this Spark an idea?
Pickets
The vertical bars of a wrought iron fence are known as pickets. Often round, square or hexagonal in shape, pickets can stop flush with a smooth, fence edge or can have a variety of tips--from a pointed spear tip to a curved, combined hairpin end.
Rods
The horizontal bars on the fence that go from left to right are known as rods. Each section of wrought iron fence can contain just a few rods, found at the top, bottom and middle, or many rods throughout a panel, depending on the construction of the fence.
Posts
At the end of each panel or section of fence, a wrought iron fence will have a post. If the wrought iron fence is in a simpler style, fence posts are probably basic, straight-line posts or short-panel posts, which often look like a shorter section of fence. However, if the fence is elaborate, solid square fence posts or open fence posts with scroll work are more the usual style.
Finials
Decorative tips that fit over the end of a picket are called finials. Usually pointed, finials are available in a variety of styles, but be sure to check the picket type the finial is made for before you buy. Many finials will only fit over certain types of pickets.
Caps
Like finials, caps are meant to add a decorative element to the fence. Typically rounded or ball-shaped, caps usually sit in or on top of fence posts and serve to break up the visual monotony of picket spears.
Shoes
If your wrought iron fence is connected to a porch, a sidewalk or a building in some way, the bottom of your wrought iron fence probably has shoes. Shoes are bases for the wrought iron posts and, sometimes, pickets, which typically screw or nail into the ground to hold the fence in place.
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