What makes wrought iron fences so unique and sought-after? It’s their genuine and timeless look.
What makes wrought iron fences so unique and sought-after? It’s their genuine and timeless look. If you’re in the market for a wrought iron fence, you should be aware of how you’re spending your money. Follow this guide to determine how you can find the best looking wrought iron fence.
Testing Wrought Iron
There are several tests that professionals use to identify wrought iron from other types of metals.
- The first is called a nick bend test, which requires the wrought iron sample to be nicked or sawed. A professional uses a cold chisel or saw to cut to approximately half the depth of the wrought iron. If it is indeed authentic wrought iron, there will be a fracture that shows the grain, whereas steel will exhibit a smooth fracture.
- The second test is the polish test. In the polish test, the sample will be polished to expose the bright surface and examined for linear slag inclusions in the gain.
- Finally, the spark test involves analyzing the color and other characteristics of the wrought iron sample when held to an engineer’s grindstone.
Difference Between Cast and Wrought Iron
You’ve probably heard of cast iron, which has many uses in various places, including in kitchens on top of the stove as a skillet or wok. If you’re new to the world of iron, it will be beneficial to know the differences between the types of iron: cast or wrought iron. Cast iron is the more brittle form because of the way it is poured and cooled. If put under enough stress, cast iron will break, unlike wrought iron, which will only bend or twist. Wrought iron can also be shaped and reshaped without it breaking in the process.
Spotting Fakes
Numerous companies, mainly from other countries, import wrought iron products to the United States and pass off the imported cast iron or other materials as a resource for wrought iron fences. It’s important to be able to spot the differences between these fake products and the real deal. First, do a visual inspection of the materials. Look for hammer marks on the surface of the metal; if there are none, it’s likely that it was machined. Next, look for possible grab marks that are indicative of being made by a machine. Finally, if the materials are all too uniform and devoid of any unique characteristics, then chances are, it’s not real wrought iron.
CHOOSE HERCULES CUSTOM IRON FOR YOUR WROUGHT IRON FENCES
Whether you would like residential gates installed, precast bollards fabricated, or your chain link fence to be repaired, replaced, or would like an iron fence (period!), the pros at Hercules Custom Iron are ready to help. For more information and to learn how we can meet your custom fencing needs, contact Hercules Custom Iron online or giving us a call at 1-800-331-2590. We will ensure your investment serves your family for years to come! For updates and to see projects we’re working on, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Google+, and Pinterest.