Railings are used to provide support, stability for stairways, balconies, and decks. Railings are made from a wide variety of materials including stainless steel, timber, plastic, and iron. An iron railing can be made either from wrought iron or cast iron. Wrought iron is highly malleable and can be heated, reheated without any damage to the iron. Wrought iron gets stronger when it is reheated. Due to its high tensile strength, it is primarily used in the construction of beams. Wrought iron can be used to create railings as it can be hammered into complex shapes when the iron is hot. Cast iron, on the other hand, has low ductility and is quite brittle. It can also be used to create complex iron parts by using a compressed sand mold.

Our skilled workers at Riverside Ironwork Canada Inc. have been providing homeowners with exterior railings and interior railings for over 70 years.

How to Make Wrought Iron Railings

Custom wrought iron railings offer versatility and can improve your home appeal. It is a popular choice for both commercial and residential spaces. Here is a brief description of the steps involved in the process of designing and bending iron to manufacture railings:

1. Designing
Wrought iron provides a wide range of design components in both hammered and smooth powdered finishes, which adds to the aesthetic value of your house. For the design process to be perfect and within budget, you can check if the finished product fits your property. The railing structure is usually delivered in separate pieces and assembled at your property. This reduces the time and cost required for you to examine the construction. A template outlining the design of the iron railing is provided on a sheet of plywood before manufacturing it. The plywood acts as a reference for the measurements of your railings.

2. Manufacturing
Most railings are made from vertical bars of wrought iron, which are welded to a frame of posts and crosspieces. Crosspieces are used (in the form of a parallelogram or rectangle) to design a stairway or the edge of a porch. Joining a group of frames makes a long railing. Check the requirements of your residential area before designing your railing.

To bend iron, straight cuts are made with a hacksaw by clamping the iron rod in a vice. Vertical and crosswise cuts are made with the hacksaw to get the desired shape. The iron rod is cut at least 1 inch longer than the desired length. To create symmetrical twists, pipe wrenches are used as leverage. An oxyacetylene torch can be used to bend iron into necessary shapes. After it is cooled, the iron rod angle is checked with a protractor. If any adjustments are needed, the iron is reheated and bent according to the specifications.

To complete an iron railing, the iron strap is bent with a special scroll-bending jig to give it a smooth structure that matches the scroll shape of your template. With a simple bending tool and a torch, a smooth bend can be created.

3. Installation
To attach the railing to a wall, a mounting clip is made by drilling a hole of about 1 inch wide in one leg of the railing. To anchor a railing in concrete, hammer drills with carbide-tipped bits are used.

How to Take Care of Your Iron Railings?

Iron is susceptible to corrosion when it is exposed to oxygen, especially in the presence of moisture. Most metals develop an oxidative coating over a period of time. Your iron railing usually has a rust protective coating. Over time, the coating may fade away. If you notice certain areas with rust, you need to take preventive measures. To prevent rusting, iron railings should be coated with paint to limit exposure. Powder coatings can be used in case of outdoor environments or in high-traffic areas. They are durable and won’t fade or chip over an extended period.

Readout blog, for more information on stylish, timeless railings for your home.

Wrought iron railings have been witnessing increasing popularity due to the wide array of options available in hammered and powder-coated finishes. With the necessary strength and durability, it’s an excellent choice for railings in both traditional and modern styles. Riverside Ironwork Canada Inc. has experience in designing, manufacturing, installing, and repairing custom-made railings. Contact us today for an estimate on railings in Vancouver.

A good fence around a home serves many important purposes. If you're thinking of installing new fencing on your property, then you should definitely consider wrought iron fencing. At Riverside Ironworks Canada Inc., we provide wrought iron fencing in Vancouver. Here's why this type of fencing is a good choice and how it's done.

Is There Anything Wrong With Wrought?

Wrought iron is a fantastic material for residential fencing in Vancouver. Strong, sturdy, and durable, it is great for extra security around your home. In terms of aesthetics and curb appeal, wrought iron lends a lot of charm to a property. It can be designed to suit your personal tastes and preferences, is very easy to maintain, and can even help increase your property value.

The Design-to-Build Process

An experienced fencing company can fabricate and install wrought iron fencing quickly and efficiently. Here are the steps involved in the process.

Step 1: Fabrication

Wrought iron fencing in Vancouver is custom-fabricated by hand. The iron is forged and hammered until it is shaped into the desired design.

Step 2: Stakes

A fencing installation begins by driving stakes into the ground at end post locations and running string lines between the stakes to show the fence line.

Step 3: Posts

With the fence line marked, the posts that will hold each fence panel along the line need to be set in concrete. The posts must go deep enough to support the weight of the fence.

Step 4: Panels

The fence panels can now be attached to the posts at the desired height off the ground. Each panel is lined up with brackets and then attached with screws.

Step 5: Gates

Once the panels are up, it's finally time to attach any pedestrian gates and driveway gates included in the fence design. The gates are held in place with latches and hinges.

Popular Styles & Iron Fencing Designs

Wrought iron fencing is inspired by Victorian design and, therefore, tends to be very classical in style. It is a great choice for anyone looking to create a traditional yet welcoming home exterior. However, because this type of iron fencing is custom-made, it is more than possible to create contemporary designs for homes with modern exteriors.

Wrought Iron Fencing & Design in North Vancouver and Greater Vancouver

Riverside Ironworks Canada Inc. has been helping homeowners with all of their fencing needs for over 70 years! Our Vancouver fencing services include fence design, manufacturing, installation, and repair. You can rely on our experts for high-quality and affordable wrought iron fencing, driveway gates, and pedestrian gates.

To get a quote for wrought iron fencing for your Vancouver property, just contact Riverside Ironworks Canada Inc. today!

Functionality and aesthetics, these two design applications can coexist and when they do, they can fantastically increase the value of any indoor or outdoor railing build. The team at Riverside Ironwork Canada Inc. applies the same design principles at the forefront of any project. We not only fabricate but also install custom railings for both home and commercial spaces in Greater Vancouver.

In our previous blog posts, we discussed a few materials for staircases and accompanying handrails. Now, let’s take a new, refreshed, broader look at railings and ask which materials are best when customizing railings in your home.

What is the Benefit for Customizing Railings?

Custom interior railings or exterior railings not only fulfill the safety checkmarks on any new build but also enhances the style and adds character to your home. Sturdy railings are the difference for preventing falls on stairs, landings, balconies, etc. But a new and unique railing not only improves on your home’s interior design or exterior curb appeal but also contributes to higher property value!

Let’s Talk about Materials!

Here are five of the most common types of railing materials as well as what applications they are best suited for.

Aluminum railings

With a high strength-to-weight ratio, aluminum railings are lightweight but very stable and very durable. Aluminum makes for great outdoor railings, especially during Vancouver wintertime when it is less likely to become covered in ice because of how it conducts heat. Aluminum is also resistant to corrosion and moisture damage, making it long-lasting and easy to maintain.

Brass railings

Brass is an enduringly popular material for indoor railings that have been used for centuries and across many design motifs. It can serve as a charming decorative element in traditional, rustic, country, and even industrial designs. Because it is resistant to corrosion, brass is a good choice for year-round exterior use as well.

Glass railings

Durable tempered glass railings are another fantastic option for both interior and exterior railing installations. Glass is often chosen for balconies and decks because it doesn't obstruct the view – and why would you if Greater Vancouver is the view! This design motif of transparency, clean lines, and the sensation of opening up space makes glass a popular option for stairways, lofts, as well as for pool enclosures. On top of everything, glass is very low maintenance and easy to clean.

Wrought iron railings

If you're after timeless curb appeal and a material that can withstand the elements during every season of the year, then you won’t go wrong in choosing wrought iron railings. Because it is hand-crafted, a wrought iron railing can be as ornate and decorative or simple and minimalistic as you like. If you’re interested in more on wrought iron, check out our last blog here.

Stainless steel railings

Stainless steel has all of the strength and durability of regular steel as well as superior corrosion resistance perfect for standing up to Vancouver's heavy winter rains, all at an affordable price! It's also a good choice for interior railings, as it comes in numerous attractive finishes that can complement your overall design scheme.

Beautiful Custom Railings in North Vancouver & The Greater Vancouver Area

Riverside Ironworks Canada Inc. has been providing homeowners with custom interior railings and exterior railings in Vancouver since 1942. We design, manufacture, install, and repair railings of all kinds, offering our clients a full-service package for all of their railing needs.

To receive a free estimate on aluminum, brass, stainless steel, iron, or glass railings in Vancouver, just contact Riverside Ironworks Canada Inc. today.