At Arizona Iron Supply, we work with a number of contractors and builders across the Southwest that enjoy incorporating wrought iron and ornamental iron into their projects. While they likely know there are differences between the two, they may not know which iron would be best for their upcoming project or home remodel. The good news is, at Arizona Iron Supply, we know ALL there is to know about iron, and that’s why we’d like to explain the difference between wrought iron and ornamental iron.

What is the Difference Between Wrought Iron and Ornamental Iron?

Typically, across the Southwestern United States, we see wrought iron and ornamental iron used for decorative fencing. Wrought iron is raw iron often combined with iron silicate. Whereas, ornamental iron is made out of steel, which is a blend of iron and carbon.

While they have similar properties overall, one of the key differences is that wrought iron tends to be sculpted and designed by hand. And, in order to work with wrought iron, it must be bent and shaped by a craftsman under extreme heat. Ornamental iron, on the other hand, is usually machined into the desired shape, and therefore it shows no signs of tool marks or imperfections. Because it’s shaped by machine and can be more easily produced, it’s typically lower in cost and therefore a more appealing option.

So, Which Would Be Better for My Project?

The short answer is: your budget, timeframe, and the scale of your project will all have to be considered to determine which option would be best for your next project. But here are a few more details about each that might help you make your decision.

Wrought Iron is a sturdy and extremely heavy material that adds a lot of character to any home or unique project. Since it’s shaped by hand tools, it’s often custom made and has unique shapes and textures to it (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2013). This material will last for a long period of time, but it does have a much longer production time. In addition, wrought iron often has to be sought out and custom made into your desired shape.

Ornamental iron, however, tends to have a shorter production time since it can be mass produced. It is lighter in weight and often less expensive to purchase, but doesn’t have the same strength and durability that wrought iron has.

At Arizona Iron Supply, one of our passions is educating our clients on different metals and products available in the wide world of metal. We carry a variety of products ranging from hardware to horseshoes! If you have any questions about our products or which material would be best to fit your needs, don’t hesitate to call our office for assistance!

Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (8/23/2018) debra (Flickr)