History

• Wrought iron can be forged into a timeless piece of art.vaze with wrought iron image by Savu Razvan from Fotolia.com
  
  Wrought iron has been an essential part of Europe's architecture for thousands of years. Today's artisans blend the time-honored traditions of working with iron with the variety of uses that wrought iron now has to create timeless pieces of art that can be handed down through the generations. Decorative trim is one of these new uses, and can be as simple or as ornate as desired.
  
  

Benefits

• Wrought iron is strong and corrosion-resistant.brass and wrought iron door handle image by Barcabloo from Fotolia.com
  
  In addition to offering endless possibilities in style and function, wrought iron is strong. It is one of only a few materials that will withstand the test of time. It is corrosion-resistant, and its beauty has been in fashion for thousands of years and will endure thousands more. It can be custom crafted to fit any style and decor.
  
  

Finishes

• Wrought iron can be painted any color.Wrought Iron image by Vanessa van Rensburg from Fotolia.com
  
  Although black is the most common and most preferred finish, wrought iron can also be coated in gray, copper or brown. It can also be painted to match your decor.
  
  

Uses

• Use wrought iron as a decorative door pull.old door knocker image by koi88 from Fotolia.com
  
  You are limited only by your imagination in using wrought iron as a decorative trim. The choice of railings is endless, and any one element can be used separately to create a trim piece. Use decorative trim over glass for extra protection or to add greater visual interest. Wrought iron can be purchased in any number of shapes, from scrolls to flowers. Use a rosette as a hot plate in the kitchen, as hanging art over the fireplace, or have them forged together with other simpler rail pieces to form a gate. Hand-forged flowers and other components can be used as door pulls or decorative displays. Currently in favor are images drawn from nature, such as lizards, sea horses, starfish, leaves, butterflies and grapes.
  
  

Cost

• The cost of wrought iron depends on how much you need and how ornate your taste runs. The more labor-intensive, the more expensive it will be. Consider the style of the house and your existing decor when deciding what wrought iron trim to add to the room.