Cast Iron Gates ? To Give a Heritage Look to Your Entrance

Posted by Wilsons Conservation Building Products on August 5th, 2015

A cast iron gate can make your period property look even more luxurious by creating a stunning entrance. It can lend an old-world heritage look and is made to last a lifetime. From palaces to sprawling estates, cast iron gates have traditionally been used in Europe since the 14^th century. Because of its beauty and durability, cast iron is also used to create banisters balconies, railings, and garden furniture. Though you can always have them custom made from scratch, cast iron gates tend to look better with time. If you want iron gates that look right and original in your period property, then salvaged gates are the way to go. 

Go for Salvaged Cast Iron Gates 

There’s nothing quite more elegant than reclaimed cast iron gates. They have a history, a story, and a character that brand new materials simply don’t have. You can buy them from architectural salvagers and designers who specialise in the restoration and revamping of materials that can be creatively reused. A salvaged cast iron gate is not only eco friendly—it also has a uniqueness and integrity that can only be developed through time. 

Reclaimed cast iron gates come in different styles, from Georgian to Edwardian, to Art Nouveau eras, and many more. Architectural salvagers will be able to recommend the type that is most suitable for your period home or estate. 

Not Just for Older Homes

The market for architectural salvaging—once exclusive to old-house owners and those who appreciate antiques—has gone mainstream in the UK and Ireland. Reclaimed gate dealers these days sell to owners and architects of new houses almost as much as they do to owners of period homes. Even if your home is a new build, you can still choose to install reclaimed cast iron gates for the entrance to give it more character. 

Are you concerned that a reclaim cast iron gate might not fit your driveway opening? Don’t worry—there are many ways to remedy this. If the opening is too large, the supplier should be able to provide you matching railing panels to fill in the gaps. You can also choose to add pedestrian gates for extremely wide driveways. 

A cast iron gate is easy to automate using either a ram arm (the cheaper method) or an underground automation motor. If you are interested in automation, be sure to buy your cast iron gate from a retailer that can supply everything you will need, including keypads and accessories. They should also be able to advise you which automation option best suits the gate. 

About the author: 

Nigel Wilson, owner of Wilsons Conservation Building Products writes this article. They are widely recognized as one of the United Kingdom and Ireland’s premier architectural salvage and design businesses. They supply a multitude of quality, individual, spectacular products worldwide.