Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it wrought iron?
Although many things today are described as ‘wrought iron’, genuine puddled wrought iron made from pig iron, is no longer commercially made. To the best of our knowledge there is only one place in the UK that can supply genuine puddled wrought iron and this is made by recycling the original material. Since it’s development in the 1850’s mild steel has gradually become the material of choice. Today virtually all ironwork is made from mild steel and the frequently used term ‘wrought iron’ describes a material which has been ‘wrought’, i.e. worked, be that by machine or man, rather than the material itself.
2. Will it rust?
All steel will rust unless properly maintained, for any exterior metalwork we recommend galvanising to prolong the life of the product. Over time paint will break down due to UV and environmental pollutants you should therefore expect to repaint your metalwork regularly as you would other painted items.
3. Do you powder-coat?
No, we prefer the flexibility of a painted finish as many of the items we fit are finished on site and powder-coating is extremely difficult to touch up once damaged. We can powder-coat furniture and other smaller items that don’t require fitting on request.
4. Should I have my metalwork galvanised?
If your budget allows we would always recommend galvanising any exterior items. Anything made of tubular steel which is for an external environment should always be galvanised as it is particularly prone to rusting.
5. Do you have any ready-made gates or railings?
No, we are firm believers that it is better to make the product fit the space than the space fit the product.
6. Can I re-use my old railings?
Yes, we can alter and refurbish pretty much anything however, it’s not always the most cost-effective solution.