Wrought Iron Gates, Railings and Canopies
Wrought iron is a handcraft in which iron is heated and forged into shape; it is used for gates, railings, canopies and window grilles. Its quality shows not from a distance but from a meter away: in the joints, in the weld seams and in whether the symmetry really holds.
01Models
Wrought Iron models
Every model has a code. Sending us the code on WhatsApp is enough to make clear which model we are talking about.
4 models
Wrought Iron Entrance Gate
Wrought Iron · Matte black, patina optional
Wrought Iron Stair Railing
Wrought Iron · Matte black; wooden handrail optional
Wrought Iron Canopy
Wrought Iron · Matte black; polycarbonate or glass cover
Wrought Iron Window Grille
Wrought Iron · Matte black or white
02Definition
What is wrought iron, and where is it used?
Wrought iron is metalwork made by heating flat bar and solid bar in a forge and shaping them by bending, twisting and hammering. This is the fundamental difference from work made with ready-made cast parts from a mold: no two forged pieces are exactly alike, which is why the surface looks alive. Cast parts are cheaper, but because the same motif repeats on every job, they lack character.
It is used as gates at villa and detached-house entrances, as railings on top of garden walls and on stairs, as canopies above entrances and balconies, and as security grilles on ground-floor windows. On stone-clad, arched and classically detailed facades, it speaks the same language as the architecture; on modern facades with clean lines, it usually looks out of place.
Wrought iron is also a repairable craft, which is one of the clearest differences from mass-produced products. A broken or deformed motif can be removed and replaced with a newly forged one, because the parts are joined by welding and are not tied to a mold. Even years later, if the run needs to be extended, the work can be continued using the same template — which is why we keep our templates after a job is finished.
In wrought iron, what determines how long the work lasts is not the motif but the surface preparation. The surface of forged iron is full of recesses and ridges, and cleaning it before painting is difficult; if this is skipped, corrosion starts in these pockets first and stays invisible from the outside for years. That is why, for us, sandblasting is not an option but a mandatory step.
03Types
Wrought iron applications
The same craft appears in different products, and each has its own technical challenges.
Wrought iron gate
It is made as a garden entrance or a building entrance. The body is built from flat bar, and foliage and scroll details are added by heating and bending. As the infill gets denser, the leaf gets heavier and the load on the hinges increases; privacy can also be provided by bonding sheet metal or glass to the back.
Wrought iron railing
It is used on top of walls, on balconies and on stairs. The motif repeat is worked out from the length of the run; if it is not, the line ends with half a motif at the corner. Spear tips finished sharp are more of a deterrent; in gardens with children, blunting them is recommended.
Wrought iron stair railing
This is the metal part of a house that is touched most often, so besides its looks, it must also be comfortable to grip. The handrail section is chosen to sit in the palm of the hand. On staircases with winders, the post angle is different at every step, and this only comes out right with on-site measurement.
Wrought iron canopy
It is used above entrances, balconies or terraces. The forged brackets are fixed to the wall with anchor plates; the surface the plate sits on must be reinforced concrete or solid brick. The slope is set so that water runs off to the side, not in front of the door.
Wrought iron window grille
It provides security on ground and basement floors. When it is made bowed outward (bow-fronted), it creates enough depth in front of the window for flowerpots and adds volume to the facade. The anchors are embedded in the wall; a grille screwed to the surface is no deterrent.
04From the field
Projects we have completed
The photos below show Saray Metal’s own work; they are not illustrative images.
Wrought Iron
Glazed door with wrought iron grille Glazed door with wrought iron grille Patterned window guard railing Glazed door with wrought iron grille Glazed door with wrought iron grille Wrought iron stair railing Wrought iron railing Wrought iron terrace railing Stair railing with a geometric pattern Wrought iron stair railing
All photos are from Saray Metal’s own projects. Tap a photo to open it uncropped. If you would like to see more, message us on WhatsApp.
05Technical
Materials and technical specifications
Sections are determined for each project according to the motif, the opening and where the piece will be used; there is no standard list of sections in wrought iron.
| Main material | Flat bar and solid bar; the body can also be reinforced with box section |
|---|---|
| Craftsmanship | Heating, bending, twisting and forging in the workshop; no cast parts are used |
| Joints | Welded; seams are ground flush with the surface |
| Surface preparation | Sandblasting is mandatory, followed by primer |
| Paint | Matte black is the most common; antique gold patina optional |
| Outdoor use | Galvanizing + paint applied together |
| Infill options | Open forged infill; sheet metal or laminated glass can be added behind |
| Size | Fully made to measure; motif distribution is calculated according to the length of the run |
06Measurements
Measurement, motifs and planning
Measuring for wrought iron is not just a matter of writing down length and width; how the motif will be distributed is decided at the same time. If it is not calculated in advance how many motifs a run will be divided into, what happens at the corners and where the repeat will be cut, the result will be an eyesore once the work is finished.
Motifs are chosen together with the facade. If a gate, railing and window grilles are to be used on the same house, the same family of motifs is used for all three, but not at exactly the same size: the motif is redrawn in proportion to the size of each piece. Forged detail that has been shrunk looks cramped and crowded.
Motif distribution
The total length of the run is divided by the width of the motif; any leftover length is distributed along the run, not at the ends. This is the most visible difference between cheap work and good work.
Symmetry check
On a double-leaf gate, the two leaves must mirror each other. In the workshop, we work on a template; without a template, symmetry cannot be achieved by eye.
Anchoring surface
For canopies and window grilles, the surface the anchors sit in is decisive. Aerated concrete does not carry this load in the long term; reinforced concrete or solid brick is needed.
On-site measurement
For stair railings, every step is measured individually. On a staircase with winders, the post angles change from step to step.
07Process
From site survey to handover
Every job goes through the same seven steps. When one of them is skipped, the problem usually shows up not during installation but at the end of the first year.
- 01
Site survey
Measurements are taken on site; we see the opening, level differences, ground conditions and any existing structure. The dimensions on paper almost never match those on site exactly.
- 02
Design and drawings
A technical drawing is prepared from the measurements. Infill divisions, profile sections and any automation layout are finalized at this stage.
- 03
Approval
The drawing and the color and material choices are approved in writing. Because a change after approval means reversing fabrication, this step is not rushed.
- 04
Fabrication
Cutting, bending and welding are done in our workshop in Arnavutköy. Weld seams are ground flush with the surface.
- 05
Surface treatment
The surface is prepared by sandblasting and primed, then electrostatic powder coating is applied. For parts that will stay outdoors, galvanizing comes into play.
- 06
Installation
On site, the work is anchored, aligned and, if needed, welded in place. If there is automation, the electrical connection and photocell adjustment are completed the same day.
- 07
Handover
Operation is checked, and use and maintenance are explained. Remote controls are programmed, locks are handed over and any phone app is set up at this stage.
08Price
What determines the price?
In wrought iron, the main item that determines the price is labor, not material. Two pieces of the same size can differ noticeably depending on how dense the motif is.
Motif density
Every additional forged piece adds directly to the time spent in the workshop.
Size and quantity
The total area and the number of pieces are the basic items.
Share of handwork
Because no cast parts are used, every motif is shaped individually.
Surface treatment
Sandblasting + primer + paint is standard; a patina finish is additional labor.
Galvanizing
Recommended outdoors, and a separate item.
Installation conditions
Working at height, scaffolding or anchor reinforcement enlarges the scope.
09Maintenance
Maintenance and service life
On wrought iron that has been sandblasted, primed and painted correctly, maintenance comes down to a check once a year: washing the surface with fresh water and touching up any spots that have taken a knock and lost their paint. Every exposed spot of metal is the start of corrosion, and on wrought iron these spots hide at the bottom of recesses.
On patinated surfaces, touch-ups need more care than on plain painted surfaces; to match the patina tone, it is best to work with the same applicator. In locations exposed to the sea, washing should be more frequent. Hinges and locking points are lubricated once a year; on forged gates, because of the weight of the leaf, the hinges may need adjusting more often than on other gates.
10FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Wrought Iron
What is the difference between wrought iron and cast iron?
Wrought iron is iron that has been heated and forged into shape; every piece is formed by hand. Casting means pouring molten metal into a mold, and the same motif repeats exactly on every job. Cast iron is cheaper; wrought iron gives a livelier, more original surface.
Does wrought iron suit a modern facade?
Usually not. Wrought iron speaks the same language as the architecture on stone-clad, arched and classically detailed facades. On a modern facade with clean lines, forged motifs look out of place; there, a solution with slatted or perforated infill is more appropriate.
Does wrought iron rust?
Yes, if surface preparation is skipped. If the recessed surface of forged iron is not cleaned thoroughly before painting, corrosion starts in those pockets and stays invisible for years. When the sandblasting + primer + paint sequence is followed, and galvanizing is added outdoors, service life is noticeably extended.
Are window grilles a hazard in a fire?
A fixed grille can block an escape route. On bedroom windows, we recommend that at least one leaf of the grille be openable from the inside. This detail should be planned at the fabrication stage; it is difficult to add later.
Can I choose my own motif?
Yes. You can choose from existing motifs, or a new motif can be derived by repeating a detail from your facade. Once the motif is chosen, its distribution along the run is calculated and a template is made.
Can we close off the back of the gate?
Yes. Privacy is achieved by bonding sheet metal or laminated glass to the back of the open forged infill. Because the leaf then becomes heavier, the number of hinges and the frame reinforcement are reassessed.
If I want to extend the run years later, will the same motif be available?
Yes. We keep the motif templates after a job is finished, and when an addition is needed, the work continues from the same template. With work made from cast parts, by contrast, once the manufacturer discontinues the model, it is often impossible to find the same motif.
Can a damaged section be repaired?
Yes. Because the parts are joined by welding, a deformed motif can be removed and replaced with a newly forged one; the whole panel does not need to be replaced. After the repair, that area has to be primed and painted again.
Does antique gold (patina) need maintenance?
It needs a little more care than plain paint, because matching the tone in touch-ups is difficult. With a yearly wash and early touch-ups on any knocked spots, it can be used trouble-free for many years.
11Guides
Read before you decide
Topics that come up often at the decision stage and fall outside the technical scope of this page.
12Related services
Work often done alongside this
14Service areas
Areas we serve for Wrought Iron
Fabrication takes place in our own workshop in Arnavutköy; delivery and installation are carried out across Türkiye. Each area page describes local conditions and the delivery plan.
14 / Contact
Send us your measurements for Wrought Iron
Approximate measurements and your district are enough for us to outline the quote. Let’s set the best day for the site survey in the same conversation.