Iron Works Fabricating Gates, Doors, and Windows

For centuries since modern construction began, the gates and doors have been the first impressions. Kings and Maharajahs left no stone unturned to enamor visitors with overpowering and grand designs.

When the megalomaniac Shah Jehan built the Taj Mahal for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, he saw that the essence of the edifice is not let down by the entrance. So, he built a gate of enormous proportions. Incidentally, the Taj Mahal did not use iron. Instead, it was entirely constructed using Indian marble.

Even in modern Europe, when iron and mild steel usage became prominent, this concept was avidly followed. Grand entrances are stories everywhere; the royal households lived in castles with monumental, decorative entrances made entirely of iron or wood supported by iron. This was followed by the aristocrats and the nobles who built impressive gates, prominent by all means. They added design to the iron works and created masterpieces. The dimensions have been reduced in the contemporary era, and the structures no longer carry the intricacies building components held earlier.

Windows of equal dimensions were made using iron or steel. These handcrafted architectural elements are still followed but on a lesser scale. The exquisitely designed gates are still used as entrances to houses, villas and high-end gated communities in the contemporary era. The gates, doors and windows have become proud ensembles of modern living space.

The age-old but professional iron works industry is still alive in the USA and Europe. In days when AI and computerization create fabulous designs, some elite still prefer Victorian era gates and windows. The grand entrances still follow the old trends keeping iron works much in the picture. But as time proceeds, styles and intricacies change, and so does the nature of the materials. The manufacturing process varies as well, with a greater number of machines and tools being used.

Wrought iron is cheaper and malleable. It can be easily turned and twisted to emulate period designs that are still in vogue. This period design lends authority to nobility and elites. Crafted professionally, the first impression is an art object followed by grandiose if the size is huge.

Earlier metal building components, especially gates, followed iron bar or grill designs. Metal artists or professional ironworks specialists still create impressive designs though less intricate. This wrought iron is now mild steel. Its decorative metal components are much in demand today. Although major building components use them, they have not been edged out by modern steel alloys which are used in foundation works. Steel imparts structural strength and long-lasting properties, but the style and aura are carried by ironworks to this date.

The historical role of blacksmithing stills keeps old trends alive by bringing back the fine art that wrought or cast iron enables. But the wrought iron is no more manufactured on a large scale. Its place is taken by mild steel, which is iron plus carbon and is better used for structural purposes.

It is mild steel that iron fabricators use in building components. Doors, gates, stairs, fences, even ancillaries like garbage cans, canisters, and pails use this metal. Contemporary iron fabrication relies more on compatibility than art. The building components made of mild steel retain the architectural structure and style. Hence building components no longer carry intense designs but are rather simplistic in nature.

Though the article accords a picture of primitive technology used in professional iron fabrication, but modern methods are applied. Modern fab shops now use a mix of technology in their units. The outcome is professionally designed and durable building components.

Uday writes often on Indian wildlife especially about the tigers. He works as a naturalist and is fond of travel. Uday also provides search engine optimization service and website contents in English.