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The term “wrought iron” often gets misused today to refer to any metalwork – often mild steel or cast iron – that’s designed to have the precise, intricate appearance of the classical wrought iron designs from the nineteenth century. However, to truly be wrought iron, the metal has to have been forged, heated, and hammered by a trained blacksmith, a process that’s become much rarer today than it was in the past. The hand craftsmanship that goes into its design and construction makes wrought iron a truly unique and special material today.

Wrought iron, on the other hand, has more of a fibrous internal structure with grains running through it almost more like wood as a consequence of the extensive heating, hammering, and layering process that it undergoes. (And the higher the quality of the wrought iron, the more extensive this process will be.) That means that the final product is extremely strong and less likely to break under force rather than bend. This makes cast iron the better choice for holding up against constant pressure.

“Decorative iron gates and doors speak of an older, slower time. Real wrought iron is hand-forged in an ironworks, where the metal is heated and carefully formed into shape by a blacksmith. Each piece is a custom design, and no two are exactly alike. Forged iron is both durable and functional, but the process of hand forging is difficult and dangerous. Prices depend on the size of the piece, and the amount of embellishment required for the ornamentation. Wrought iron doors and fences can be embellished with bars, balls, posts, and pegs; or topped with jagged spear points for added security”.