HISTORY OF Wrought Iron Doors

Wrought iron has been used for centuries to create everything from the weapons of ancient times to the luxurious iron gates of today. This beautiful yet durable metal can be made into beautiful elegant designs and was used in medieval times to make doors and passageways to keep invaders out. But what exactly is wrought iron?

 

Wrought Iron History

Wrought iron was first discovered in present-day Turkey in the 2nd century BC. The word "beaten" is an old term meaning "to work". The term wrought iron describes how metal is made by rolling and forging while hot to mold it.

 

Wrought iron was used for a variety of applications because it was plentiful and easy to make. Tools, weapons, and other gear are all made of wrought iron. Its resistance to the elements and flexibility made it the metal of choice over bronze and other soft metals of the time.

 

What is Wrought Iron?

Wrought iron is made from the process of smelting iron ore while depleting its carbon content, making it stronger and more flexible. Unlike cast iron, which has a very high carbon content, wrought iron is softer, less brittle and resistant to rust. It was a mine preferred by the tradesmen and craftsmen of the period.

 

In fact, due to its durability and ease of manipulation at high temperatures, wrought iron was the metal of choice until refined steel was developed in the mid-19th century.

 

Wrought Iron Types

Of the two most common processes for making wrought iron, coal iron was the first and simplest. Coal was used as coke (fuel) and reducing agent in the smelting process, which separated the ferrous metal from its ore.

 

The next big step in metallurgy was the deposition furnace, used to create deposit iron. It was invented in the late 16th century and used a water-powered blast furnace to separate ore from iron. This process resulted in fewer impurities in the metal and peaked the use of wrought iron.

 

History of Wrought Iron Doors

After the invention of puddle iron, blacksmiths began to create more decorative uses for the metal, including for doors. A wrought-iron door was extremely sturdy, resistant to rust, and was generally sturdier than a house.

 

Eventually, wrought iron became a status symbol, representing wealth, power, and permanence.