Whether you are building a new home or making improvements or upgrades, choosing front doors is very important. You have many selections for materials and styles, but today more people are choosing wrought iron front doors and for good reasons. Here are some of the many good things you will discover about these doors.
What is Wrought Iron?
Iron comes from iron ore. In fact, there are three basic materials created from iron:
- Steel (carbon steel) – can contain as much as two percent carbon. Steel is very strong and malleable. It can be pounded and fabricated into various shapes.
- Wrought iron – very little carbon content. In fact it is less than one half of one percent.
- Cast iron – may have up to four percent carbon. Because of its higher carbon content it is used for melting and casting into iron products. However, cast iron tends to be more brittle than steel. However, cast iron is more cost effective than steel. It is frequently used to create manhole covers and guttering.
Why Wrought Iron Front Doors?
Wrought iron has very good characteristics for making front doors. For example, it is soft and strong at the same time. It can easily be made into doors. Wrought iron has tensile strength. This means it can stretch more than most materials without breaking.
Wrought iron is very malleable. However, most materials weaken as they are worked into shapes. This does not happen with wrought iron front doors. In fact, this type of iron actually gets stronger as it is worked.
Uses for Wrought Iron
Wrought iron is used for many things besides beautiful and impressive wrought iron front doors. It also is used for:
- Gates
- Fences
- Furniture
- Hardware
- Grills
- Porches and balconies
Reasons to Install Wrought Iron Front Doors
Wrought iron is a great selection for many different reasons. For example, it will not become the victim of insect attacks, nor will it swell up in times of high humidity like wood. Wrought iron is one of the strongest materials you can use. For instance, fiberglass is rot resistant, but it will break much easier than wrought iron and this is a huge consideration for security.
Wrought iron will cost you more than cheap wood or steel doors. However, you will get a great deal for your money. These doors are sturdy, long lasting, and will increase the value of your home. This makes wrought iron front doors, an excellent investment.
