Iron fences often feature decorative shapes and detailed metalwork.
Iron fencing, whether made from wrought iron or cast iron, lend a dignified and traditional look to any garden or yard. If your home calls for the refined aesthetics of an iron fence, you can learn about building iron fencing by participating in metalworking workshops or classes. While building with iron requires far more skilled labor than most materials, such as wood, chain or wire, with proper training, you can make your own stately iron fence. Does this Spark an idea?
Know Your Materials
Before designing your iron fencing, familiarize yourself with the two options for materials; iron fences may use either cast iron or wrought iron. Cast iron has reached a high temperature and entered a melted state before taking its shape from a mold. The melting and molding process is relatively inexpensive, allows extensive detail and produces a heavier iron. By contrast, wrought iron is forged with a continuous application of heat and pressure, gradually working iron pieces into various shapes and binding them together with rivets. In some cases, a single fence may use both cast iron and wrought iron elements, such as a wrought iron fence with decorative cast iron end pieces.
Maintain Ground Clearance
One common pitfall in designing an iron fence is to allow the bottoms of the vertical panels or rods to come into direct contact with the ground. When designing the fence, check that only the corner posts and the support bracket structures actually come into contact with the ground. Otherwise, undue corrosion can weaken the fence and mar its appearance. As an additional precaution, level the ground before erecting the fence so that no ridges or rises in the land interfere with the level bottom of the fencing.
Treat the Surface
Before erecting an iron fence, whether using new or refurbished materials, thoroughly clean and protect the materials. Use a wire brush to remove any rust or dirt from the surface of the fencing. Using a clean rag, thoroughly dry the surface of any moisture. You can apply a solvent or a detergent designed for cleaning metal to completely cleanse the surface, drying thoroughly again afterward. Once you have dried the fencing completely, add a rust converter; check that your solution is not a rust inhibitor or dissolver. A rust converter is the only substance that transforms iron oxide into iron tannate or iron phosphate, using either phosphoric acid or tannic acid. When working, ensure that no moisture comes into contact with the fence; even very humid air can negatively impact the finish, producing a chalky white residue.
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