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Iron Fences
Iron fences with the appropriate height,
picket spacing, and style (for example, pointed
tips), are a costly but excellent way to
deter intruders from your home and property.
For this reason, iron fences are often associated
with wealthy estates. This air of wealth
can also be tapped into by using a lower,
less obtrusive iron fence for decorative
purposes. Because of the thinness of the
pickets, however, iron fences do not make
good privacy fences.
Although difficult to install, once in place,
iron fences require little maintenance.
Wrought Iron versus Cast Iron
Iron fences can be either wrought or cast.
"Wrought" iron is iron that has
be bent, twisted, pulled, or otherwise shaped
while hot and thus still pliable. "Cast"
iron is poured into a mold of the final shape
and simply allowed to cool. There is very
little new wrought iron today in the US because
of the cost and difficulty of it's manufacture;
instead, steel and aluminum have replaced
wrought iron.
Steel and Aluminum Fencing
Although advertised as "wrought iron,"
most new fencing of this style is actually
made of steel or aluminum tubing. From a
distance, the appearance can be identical,
and steel fencing has the advantage of a lower cost. Aluminum fencing, although not as strong as steel, will not
rust (important consideration
if you are
fencing around a pool or other
areas where
rust will stain concrete). If
treated with
a powder coat, aluminum fencing
will retain
its finish for many years. |
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