Are you searching for a new gate but are trying to understand why wrought iron options are more expensive than other materials of a similar design? If so, this article looks at the many reasons for this.

What is Wrought Iron?

Throughout history, it has been used as a construction material for everything from bridges and buildings to pots and pans. Although once widely used, it now survives as ornamental metalwork where a superior level of aesthetics is required. The process of making it involves heating iron ore and charcoal in a furnace until it liquefies. Slag is added during this process, which helps remove impurities from the iron, such as sulfur and phosphorus. This results in wrought iron being more flexible and pliable than other iron forms, making it easier to shape and work with. It also gives it a characteristic grain pattern and a matte finish, highly prized in decorative ironwork. Furthermore, the presence of slag causes it to be more resistant to corrosion; consequently, this is why it was so widely used in outdoor applications such as gates, fencing and railings.

What are the Benefits of Using Wrought Iron?

It is suitable for a wide range of applications as a construction material. These include:

• Excellent weldability: Its low carbon content makes it easy to join with other metals using welding processes.
• Toughness: It can withstand substantial blows without shattering or breaking. This makes it ideal for use in construction, where it may be subjected to heavy loads or crashes.
• Easy to forge: Its low carbon content makes it malleable and pliable when heated. This means it can be shaped into intricate designs and patterns, making it a popular choice for decorative metalwork such as gates, fencing and railings.
• High tensile strength: It will resist lengthening or tensing without damage. This makes it an excellent material for structural applications, such as bridge construction and machinery.
• High compressive strength: High compressive strength means it can withstand high pressure or crushing forces without breaking.

Why is it so Expensive?

The higher cost of a wrought iron gate is predominantly due to the cost of the material and the manufacturing process. To produce a high-quality gate made from wrought iron requires substantial skill, labour and time. Furthermore, the lower demand level and the limited availability of wrought iron contribute to its higher price point. In comparison, mild steel gates cost less because they can be mass-produced, as the manufacturing process is greatly simplified. However, as steel is not chemically the same material as wrought iron, it has a different level of strength, nor can it offer the same level of resistance to corrosion. 

Furthermore, mild steel gates are typically made from smaller components. Therefore, the less material required, the cheaper the end price.

What is the Process of Building a Gate?

The process of creating a custom gate involves the following:

• The design stage is the initial phase, which includes selecting the required pattern and decorative elements that may be required.  
• Once the design is known, the individual components can be cut to length and shaped into the desired form.
• The welding stage can begin when all the individual components have been produced. In most cases, a jig will hold the pieces in position as they are welded. Each part is connected to the other until a fully built gate structure is produced.
• The final stage of production is to apply a weather-resistant finish. In most cases, this will be a hardwearing wet-painted option or powder-coated finish.

We hope this information has been useful to you and has given you a better understanding of the reason wrought iron gates are so expensive. Consequently, if you are now wanting to buy a new gate but cannot afford the real thing, why not take a look around our website, where we have a wide range of mild steel options produced in a wrought iron style? They give the impression of a traditional gate construction but at a fraction of the price.