When choosing the material for your indoor and outdoor railings, there are many criteria to consider. Durability, affordability, and aesthetics are often at the top of the list. Wrought iron vs. aluminum railings: what’s the best option for you? Let’s explore how they fare in these three key areas.
Wrought Iron vs. Aluminum Railings
When you’re working on a significant home building or renovation project, there are a surprising amount of decisions to make. For example, which is the best material for indoor and outdoor railings? If you’ve never thought about railing materials, we’re here to help you learn about them. Wrought iron vs. aluminum railings: how do they compare, and which suits your project?
Price Point
No matter what other factors are involved in your building project, the budget is usually the most important. So, if you’re trying to stretch a dollar, which material comes out on top? Aluminum railing is typically cheaper by the dollar for purchase and installation. Aluminum is cheaply sourced, and because it’s lightweight and easy to work with, installations are usually quick and inexpensive. Wrought iron is a more expensive material and can be more complicated to work with, adding additional labor costs. If money is your deciding factor, aluminum railing will give you the cost efficiency you want.
Durability
It’s great to save money on a railing up-front, but how long will that affordable railing last? Railings are high-traffic pieces of hardware, and they’re also pieces of safety equipment that prevent accidents. You need to know you can rely on your railing, so which material is most durable? Wroughtย iron is sturdy and weighty at first glance, and it is unlikely to sustain damage from daily use. However, wrought iron is susceptible to rust and water damage, while aluminum is not. Your wrought iron railing will look beautiful when installed, but it won’t stay that way without significant maintenance. Meanwhile, aluminum requires little-to-no maintenance to retain a like-new appearance for years. If you need a durable railing that doesn’t require a lot of upkeep, aluminum delivers.
Aesthetics
Cost and durability aside, there’s one more important thing that you’ll want to determine before you invest in a railing material. Railings serve an essential purpose, but they’re also ornamental pieces, and you want them made from a material that blends nicely into your existing aesthetics. If you want a historic look, wrought iron can provide that. The look and feel of wrought iron evoke a classic aesthetic for a home or business, which you can tweak and update further with the variety of wrought iron railing designs on the market today. You can also paint wrought iron to blend it into a design scheme. However, aluminum tends to be a more versatile option because it’s lightweight and easy to work with. You can find an infinite variety of colors and styles for your aluminum railing system,ย which can be further customized with powder coating and accessories. Wrought iron might be what you’re looking for, but if it isn’t, don’t miss out on what aluminum can do for you!
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Wrought iron vs. aluminum railing is a classic dilemma, but we think aluminum comes out on top. If you still aren’t sure which to pick, give us a call and tell us all about your project. Our experienced sales team will help you find exactly what you need to complete the job.
When you need an expert who can walk you through purchasing and caring for an exterior aluminum railing or fencing system, MMC Fencing & Railing is here for you. Our online shop sells aluminum and vinyl railing in various styles and colors. So, no matter what you’re looking for and how large or small your budget is, you’re sure to find something beautiful. Call us at 866-931-5002 to get started or ask about installation options. We look forward to hearing from you!