Designing a Custom Iron Gate
Admin • August 21, 2018
The components of an ornamental iron gate are basically the same as for any other material. Custom gates can be crafted out of aluminum, steel, or wrought iron. Any of the materials yields a unique decorative appearance.
However, with ornamental iron, you have numerous customization options that ultimately result in a distinctive gate.
Posts
The posts form the foundation of your gate just as they do for your fence. Typically, gate posts consist of a single rod of metal. The rod can be squared or tubular. Your customization options for the gate posts are somewhat limited by the fact that they must preserve the structural integrity of the gate.
That said, on some elaborate gates, you might see a double-post design with decorative elements in between. The main area for customization, though, is in the post caps. You can have the posts topped with basic pressed caps, with those featuring ornamentation such as finials, or even iron cast into shapes such as balls or eggs.
Rails
The rails run horizontally from post to post and provide the structural integrity of your fence. Your fence can feature anywhere from two to four rails. Increasing the number of rails does increase its strength somewhat, but the main reason for doing so is decorative.
A common customization is a double top rail. You can leave the space between the rails clear, or you can have ornaments added. Common ornamentation includes scrollwork, plain rings, or panes of metal. You can also have the bottom rail doubled up with the same ornaments.
Another common customization for the rails is to choose a curve at the top. Two common curve options include the bell curve, which is convex, and scalloped, which is concave.
Pickets
Pickets are the vertical rods that provide the main body of your gate. As with the posts, your two main style options are squared or tubular. The main customization options with pickets comes in the ornamentation, which is covered below. However, you can also choose to have the space between pickets filled with metal or wood panels if you want more privacy.
Finials
Finials top the pickets. If you've chosen a double-rail or otherwise closed top, you may not have finials. However, finials are one of the most distinctive aspects of ornamental iron.
Most finials designs are some type of a spear, meaning they're pointed at the top. They're made this way to provide security to your property. The spear can be a basic pressed shape or a more decorative quad design with a ball at the top. You also see triad spears with the smaller points aiming up and out. The other version is the fleur-de-lis, which is a triad spear with the small points aiming down.
Scrollwork
The other highly distinctive area of ornamental iron gates is the scrollwork. Even if you have a relatively simple fence, you can get more decorative with the gate.
You typically choose your scrollwork as a panel, meaning the design has been worked out ahead of time. The patterns can range from simple curves to elaborate flourishes. You find scrollwork in long horizontal panels, wide vertical panels, or custom shapes meant to complement a post.
Ornaments
The ornaments you choose are the finishing touch on your ornamental iron gate. Scrollwork is one version of ornamentation, and you may decide to stop there. However, many homeowners choose to add rosettes which, as their name suggests, resemble roses. You can take the theme even farther and choose a system of vines, leaves, and flowers to ornament your gate.
Another common ornament is the medallion. Ornate medallions can incorporate scrollwork and other ornamentation. You can also choose hammered metal with pictorial images or your family's monogram.
Ornamental iron is one of the most customizable gate options. Let Central California Ornamental Iron
help you design a distinctive ornamental gate for your property.
Discover essential insights into security gate installation in Gilroy, CA. Learn about various types of gates and find the perfect solution for your property. Contact us today at (877)644-4283!
If you're ready to fence in your property, you might be looking at wrought iron. Below are some important considerations to keep in mind.
Some people have misconceptions about wrought iron fencing. Discover common misconceptions about wrought iron and the modern truth of the material.
At Central California Ornamental Iron, we offer distinctive iron fences and gates. Durable products save homeowners money over the years. Call today!
Wrought iron fences are a classic choice if you want a border around your property. Learn about five benefits of a wrought iron fence.
Want to make over your driveway entrance to make it more functional and attractive? Use these ideas for increasing both beauty and security.
Since at least Roman times, arches have been a popular addition to buildings and landscapes. Consider the benefits of adding an arched driveway gate.
A commonly known fact about iron fences is that they rust. Take a look at some facts about rust, how it arises, and how you can minimize its appearance.
Your individual conditions determine when different types of fences serve your needs the best. There are times when wrought iron fencing may be the best choice for your needs. By learning about these situations, you can choose wrought iron fencing knowing that it is going to serve your needs better than other types of fencing would. You can learn about the situations in which wrought iron fencing would be a good fit by reading the information offered here.
When it comes to enhancing the aesthetic appeal to a home, a wrought iron fence simply cannot be beaten. Better yet, an iron fence beautifies your home without compromising any of your security expectations. Of course, you won't get the results you want in either regard, unless you keep your fence properly maintained. Unfortunately, many people mistakenly assume that iron fences require no maintenance care at all. While the durability of iron is second to none, it remains prone to one serious threat: rust. If you would like to learn more about what it means to protect an iron fence against corrosion, read on. This article will outline three key maintenance tips.