From Ex- to Interior: Wrought Iron in Washington DC

Did you know that the Eiffel Tower is made out of a form of wrought iron? It’s called puddle iron, and it’s the same kind of iron that composes 98% of the Iron Pillar of Delhi. Both of these famous landmarks have been around for centuries with a relatively low amount of maintenance — which gives you a good idea of why homeowners enhance their homes’ exteriors and interiors in wrought iron. Washington DC in particular has some very notable wrought iron in its historic district.

Qualities of Wrought Iron

Wrought iron is a remarkable substance. During the 17th century, it enjoyed a heyday, when blacksmiths were using iron to create furniture, gates, beds, spiral stairs, and monuments. Iron was everywhere due to a few qualities that made it the material of course in that era. First, wrought iron is malleable — which means it’s easily shaped while hot, and has just a little bit give (i.e. won’t shatter) even in the coldest winter. Second, it easily withstands extreme conditions and extreme condition changes, so it is an ideal material for places like the District of Columbia that have fairly hot summers and fairly cold winters. Finally, it corrodes very slowly and is easy to care for, and will last for several generations — every piece of wrought iron in your family is a potential heirloom.

Stainless Steel Overtakes Iron

Why hasn’t wrought iron been ubiquitous in our capitol’s recent history? That’s simple: stainless steel. Washington DC was relatively close to the epicenter of steel production in the early 1900s, and when stainless steel became common in the middle of that century, it also became cheaper to produce. Wrought iron required, for about half of a century, about twice the cost of low-carbon stainless steel. Because of that, the last plant dedicated to wrought iron closed in 1969.

Wrought Iron Becomes an Heirloom

Today, wrought iron is produced by companies that understand the value of this ‘heritage metal’ — and production costs are lower (though not as low as cheap steel) because recycling abilities have improved with modern technology. That means that today, it’s possible to get modern — or classical — wrought iron items to decorate your home on the inside or the outside. Contact Urbana Ironworks to learn more about how our talented company can bring a sturdy and historical look to your home!