What Is the Difference Between Ornamental Iron and Wrought Iron?

Today, ornamental iron fencing is really welded, powder-coated steel, built for strength and low maintenance, while true wrought iron is a hand-forged material that is largely historical and needs ongoing rust care. Empire Fence builds modern ornamental steel, the Ameristar Montage line, for homes and businesses across Tulsa and northeast Oklahoma.

The names get used loosely, so here is the real difference.

We have installed ornamental steel across northeast Oklahoma since 1955, and most qualifying new fence installations earn our Gold Seal Certificate of Excellence after a 31-point inspection.

What Ornamental Steel Is

When people say “ornamental iron” today, they almost always mean ornamental steel. Our Ameristar Montage line is welded tubular steel, formed into rigid panels at the factory and finished with a baked-on powder coat that resists rust and fading. It gives the classic decorative look, strong pickets and rails, with modern durability and very little upkeep. See what a Montage steel fence is for the details.

What Wrought Iron Is

True wrought iron is iron worked by hand, the material of old gates and historic railings. It is solid and heavy, often with custom scrollwork, but it rusts without regular paint and upkeep, and it is expensive because it is largely a custom, specialty product now. Most “wrought iron” fences sold today are not actually wrought iron at all; they are steel or aluminum made to look the part.

Which You Actually Want Today

For nearly every home and business, modern ornamental steel is the better choice. You get the timeless ornamental look with the strength of welded steel and a powder-coat finish that shrugs off the rust that plagues real iron. That combination of looks, strength, and low maintenance is why we build steel rather than iron, and why it ranks among the longest-lasting and strongest fences we offer. It is also a fine pool and security fence, as our kids’ safety and security guides cover.

Related Questions

Ornamental fencing questions from Tulsa property owners.

Is ornamental iron the same as wrought iron?

No. Modern ornamental “iron” is welded, powder-coated steel. True wrought iron is hand-forged and largely historical. Empire builds ornamental steel for strength and low maintenance.

Does Empire Fence build wrought iron fences?

We build modern ornamental steel, the Ameristar Montage line, rather than true hand-forged wrought iron. It gives the classic look with far better durability and far less upkeep.

Is steel or iron better for a fence?

For a fence, welded powder-coated steel is better. It matches the ornamental look while resisting the rust that real iron needs constant care to prevent, and it lasts longer with less work.