09 Mar Choosing Between Wrought Iron or Steel

When looking to add new gates or fencing to your property, you must take the time to choose the best material for them to be made from. Thanks to the benefits that they both bring to the table, steel and wrought iron are two of the most popular materials used for this purpose. 

Suppose you’re a homeowner or look after a commercial property and are looking for stylish gates or fencing that can elevate the aesthetic of your site whilst also improving its security. In that case, you face a tough choice deciding between these two metals. To try and help you make that decision, Baker Steel Trading have created this guide to compare wrought iron with fabricated steel products.

What is Wrought Iron?

As its name suggests, this material is an iron alloy with minimal carbon in its composition. The particular elements that form wrought iron means that it’s a remarkably malleable metal, which some welders regularly use. Wrought iron, similarly to pure iron, cast iron or worked iron, is also durable and has an excellent level of corrosion resistance. 

Whilst the usage of wrought iron has reduced in the modern era thanks to the growing popularity of steel, wrought iron gates still have their place in modern construction.

What is Steel?

As our name may suggest, the team working here at Baker Steel Trading are experts in structural steel fabrication. Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, containing an excellent strength to weight ratio whilst also containing raw materials suitable for various metal fabrication techniques, including welding.

We believe that steel gates and railings are an excellent option for any property because the chemical composition of steel is ideally suited to create stunning designs without costing a lot of money.

5 Ways to Compare Wrought Iron and Steel

Both steel and wrought iron make excellent options for anyone looking to add gates, railings and fences to their domestic, commercial or industrial application. Therefore, the best way to understand which metal is the right one to choose is to compare the two directly.

Take a look through the following five points to consider to see if it helps you decide between the two alloys.

Durability

As they have a similar chemical composition, both steel and wrought iron are durable and can create products that will benefit your property for years to come. However, if you had to pick an option that had the edge, the higher carbon content in steel means that it is more weather and damage resistant than wrought iron.

Welding Process

Both alloy options come with traits that make them easy to weld. The low carbon content in wrought iron means it is naturally easy to work with, expanding the design potential of any products it’s used to make. Malleable steel grades are available, and whilst they may not be as easy to shape, you can rest assured that the steel product will boast an increased level of strength and durability.

Pricing

In both cases, the price of using steel or wrought iron is largely down to the speed at which the welding process can be completed. Both materials make great welding materials, so unless you have requested a particularly complicated design, both alloys can work with the majority of budgets.

Corrosion

The extra substances included in the composition of structural steel make it more resistant to corrosion. Having said that, wrought iron can be treated using various methods to extend the lifespan of the alloy and keep the rust away for longer.

Aesthetic

Some homeowners consider wrought iron because of its traditional characteristics. However, the experienced steel fabricators at Baker Steel Trading can create similar stunning designs using a stronger and more durable material in structural steel. Whatever look you’re trying to achieve, both these materials offer flexibility and resilience.

Find Steel Fabrication Services Near You

As you can probably tell by how valuable both metals can be, the end decision is entirely down to your personal preferences. However, we believe that steel makes the better option, as it offers the majority of positive traits that wrought iron possesses whilst also having the bonus of being more robust and corrosion-resistant.

If you agree with us and are looking for highly skilled custom steel fabrication companies, Baker Steel Trading are here to help. We are trusted steel suppliers based in Woking, covering areas of the South East, sourcing high-quality steel sections, from universal beams and mild steel flat bars to steel hollow sections, and many other products, all with up-to-date UKCA and CE markings.

All you have to do is get in contact with us, and we’ll talk you through the range of services our team can provide.