Wrought Iron v Aluminium Railings: The Pros and Cons

Both wrought iron and aluminium railings provide a safe, strong, and practical solution for buildings, whether private or commercial.

However, each also has its own individual set of properties and characteristics. By learning the key differences, as well as the pros and cons of each, you are able to make good purchasing decisions.

Comparison

Both wrought iron and aluminium are aesthetically pleasing in their own right. Aluminium can be powder-coated, giving a custom finish that is tailored to your exact project needs. However, wrought iron also holds its own in the visual stakes, with its classic, timeless, and intricate designs. These work particularly well on heritage or period buildings.

Wrought iron is by far the stronger of the 2 materials, but both boast anti-corrosion properties. Wrought iron may require more maintenance to keep it looking its best, whereas aluminium is maintenance-free apart from requiring regular cleaning.

Wrought iron can be more costly than aluminium, due to the fact that it is more labour-intensive to produce. However, it is also available in striking, bespoke, and intricate designs, which some may argue constitutes the higher price band.

Aluminium is by far the lighter of the two materials. Whilst this makes it easier to install and cost-effective, it also means sacrificing some of the strength and stability that is afforded by its wrought iron counterpart.

Wrought Iron Suppliers

Wrought iron provides the ultimate high quality, strong, and visually pleasing solution for your building project needs.

The use of wrought iron dates back to early civilisations, but its decorative and functional use on buildings can be traced back to anywhere between the 16th and 19th centuries, where it became more ornate during the baroque and rococo architectural periods

A range of wrought iron railings, gates, fences, and other items can be sourced from an expert supplier, such as https://donkeywellforge.co.uk/what-we-make/iron-gates-railings/. These can be custom made and designed, and installed professionally.

Wrought iron can be custom designed with anything from decorative shapes, scrolls, or floral designs to monograms and initials.