Hand Crafted or Factory Produced?Anvil or Machine?
Unfortunately as with any product in high
demand it is not long before the market is flooded with cheaply constructed
imitations. The consequence to this is that most of the publics perception
of the wrought iron product is now just a thin, cheap metal item that is not
very weather resistant. When the public talks about wrought iron, they
could be referring to one of three things - the actual material wrought iron,
hand forged or hand wrought items, or simply the "look" of wrought iron.
Probably about 90% of all "wrought iron" items are actually mass machine made
cheaply constructed foreign steel that is machine bent, not heated and painted
with a thin coat of black paint. True hand wrought iron is actually heated hand
formed using an anvil and various other blacksmithing tools. The actual
"wrought iron" material has not been available in the United States since the
turn of the century. Consequently all wrought iron work is actually formed
modern steel.
Wrought Iron The Material:
The second definition of the term wrought iron is the
forming process. The commonality between factory "wrought iron"
items and blacksmith created "wrought iron" both using steel now
divides with the method of which the metal items are created.
While artist and blacksmiths use heat to bend and form
their steel by hand or
traditional blacksmith tools on the anvil, most
factory made "wrought iron" items are cold bent without
heat and formed by machines. The quality difference
is blatantly obvious. Below you can see illustrated these
different grades of formed scroll work.
The above reference
details one of the most common and simplest wrought iron
components the scroll. However, in the artisan crafted
realm depending on the metal artist the design and
interpretations in metal can be completely amazing.
The blacksmithing art has
seen a rejuvenation in recent years as consumers search for new
products from unique and varying materials. This has lead
to the creation of some unconventional uses of the material as
well as the emergence of many very talented metal artisans and
blacksmiths. Among these renown individuals is metal
artist and fabricator Chuck McIsaac he has created an amazingly
diverse styling in metal work. From his realistic "Black Widow"
chandelier to his "Calla Lily and Vine" series of furniture. His
work includes custom lighting, chandeliers, furniture, and
driveway and garden gates. We offer his and several other
artisans services for private commission or exclusive line of
products for immediate sale online. See our online store
for details and purchasing.
Master Blacksmith/Metal
Artist: Unlimited design and creativity options. The
elite in wrought iron are the renown blacksmiths and metal
artisans that have achieved a level of distinction above the
common blacksmith. Have reached, created art in an unique
style of their own. This work is usually hand signed by
the artist and although the most expensive, like all art
functional or just visual it is an investment that will continue
to grow in value throughout the years. built to endure
generations not years. For those who don't like to make
large investments into art, this is a great option because it is
a usable beauty. Usually by a blacksmith or metal artist this
level of ironwork quality is superb and in no way comparable to
machine or factory created work. It is easily
distinguishable from skilled hand forged by style, detail and
overall quality. The vast knowledge that this group has
achieved has occurred over many years working in iron. and is
very valuable. Unlike the other methods of ironwork, this
ironwork often has a single individuals name associated with the
work and will continue to increase in value as hand crafted
items continue to grow in demand and become harder to find.
Joinery is typically very high quality seamless welds or
traditional forge welds.
Semi-Skilled to Skilled Hand Forged Iron: This group
consists of the intermediate level blacksmith who has achieved a
level beyond just basic knowledge of iron work and is aware of
traditional and modern techniques of blacksmithing.
Typically much thicker iron than the mass produced components,
features smooth flowing or decorative hand forged ends.
Also this work has a continual flow and is not rigid. Hand
hammered texture is evident on the metal surface from the
process required to form the metalwork.
Machine Formed Iron:
Typically found on cheap imported "wrought iron" items where the
profit concerns far outweigh quality. Minimal use of
material, square or rigid ends, cheap welds, poor design and
ultimately a disposable product. Avoid being tempted to
purchase any product made this poorly no mater the cost.
You would probably be able to commission a local blacksmith or
metal hobbyist to create a better product in a far superior
manner for a similar cost.
Factory/Production
Forged: These are mass produced factory forged components,
typically purchased by metal fabrication companies, local
blacksmiths, and railing contractors to create quick assembly
products. These pieces are usually created by several
individuals with both machines and hand tools at their disposal.
Quality of these wrought iron components is much higher than the
machine cold bent iron work but depends greatly on the
manufacturer and their quality control. We use these type
of factory forged components in our standard line of gates, but
they are very high quality and from a renown distributor.
Joinery is often accomplished in this level of product
production with rivets or small straps between decorative
components. Avoid use of these poor cheap joining
method especially for gates as they are often the cause of gate
sagging. If you like the rivet look have your gate
fabricator weld the gate but use faux rivets and strapping.
All of our gates are welded seamlessly and additional faux
rivets or decorative strapping are optional to enhance design.
Designs are limited to available factory produced components and
kits. In addition to the forged iron these companies also offer
stamped decorative iron ornaments like leaves etc that begin as
flat steel and are then stamped by large machines with a pattern
and shape. They are often incorporated into production
quality forge work. The best option however are Artisan
forged leaves which are thick, and flowing and are much more
realistic.
Was this helpful? Let
us know what you think...email us!
Construction
Specifics and Technical Info
GATE CONSTRUCTION
& TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
Wood Gates:
Our wood gates are available in standard clear Western Red
Cedar and also lifetime woods Ipe and Teak. Depending on your climate and
environmental conditions it is possible for Teak and Ipe to last upwards of 80
plus years. We offer our beautiful mortise and tenon joinery on all of our
gates. They are a superior well crafted product.
Wrought Iron Gates:
Our wrought iron gates are all blacksmith fabricated by Cross Custom Works. Each gate is hand MIG welded to
ensure quality construction and a strong durable product. Gate frames are
fabricated from strong 2" square tubular steel. This Decorative
elements are hand forged from solid steel highly skilled
blacksmiths and metal artists.
We offer many additional gate options
including design alterations and coordinating gates and
wrought iron fence. We can also offer complete custom design. Our wrought
iron gate finish options are some of the nicest and diverse available.
Cast Aluminum Gates:
All of our cast aluminum gates are manufactured by
our partner facility in AZ. The gates utilize commercial grade aluminum to manufacture
the cast aluminum components and structural grade 6063 aluminum to
manufacture each of the extruded frame components. All other elements including
hinges, latches and dead bolts, ground anchors and rollers are designed and
engineered to minimize maintenance costs and minimize or eliminate rust or
corrosion concerns by using stainless steel or galvanized metal components.
Perimeter frames are made with heavy-duty, extruded 6063 aluminum profiles. The
standard frame used on most driveway gates, garden and courtyard gates measures
approximately 1.5” x 3”. Other frame sizes are available upon request. Each gate
frame comes hinged with a latch (dead-bolt if requested), a ground anchor and
any required attachment plates for powered equipment properly secured to the
frame.
The gate or fence sections are carefully hand prepped and pre-finished with a
factory applied four-coat acrylic paint available in a wide range of colors as
well as faux finishes in Antique Bronze or Antique Patina Green. Metallic paint
finishes are available in bronze, gun metal gray, blue and green with custom
colors available on request. The gate hinge system consists of a stainless
steel pin-and-barrel hinge with grease port and ball bearing load point. Hinges
are available in 2” and 1.5” diameters. Depending on gate size and weight,
hinges are engineered to a maximum 600 lb. load per hinge. Hinges are welded to
a galvanized steel bracket secured to the aluminum extruded frame by four 1/4”
steel rivet pins. Brackets and hinges come pre-finished to match the gate paint
finish.
Wood Garden
& Fence Gates: Exceptional Entrances has a
stunning collection of hand crafted wood garden and fence
gates. Crafted from 100% solid and durable premium
woods. All hand crafted by thier talented Amish
craftsmen... Browse thier large selection of garden and
walkway gates and you are sure to find the perfect wood or
metal entry gate for your garden or walkway area.
more
ABOUT OUR RECOMMENDED
GATE MANUFACTURERS - All of the
gate companies we feature are companies who specialize in
crafting premium durable gates from the best materials.
They are selected based on customer satisfaction and the
durability and overall quality of product they produce.
For a complete listing
of all the gate, automation and fence companies that meet our
stringent criteria, visit our
featured companies page.
Interested in being a
featured company? Does your
company have what it takes to become one of our featured gate
and fence companies? Let us review your product and
company and you may be on our featured list. You can
obtain a free link from our prominent links page by including
a reciprocal link on your companies website. Email us
for more information.
how to build a gate,
construction grades, hand crafted gates, quality gate construction, artisan
crafted gates, blacksmith crafted gates
Hand Crafted or Factory Produced?Anvil or Machine?
Unfortunately as with any product in high
demand it is not long before the market is flooded with cheaply constructed
imitations. The consequence to this is that most of the publics perception
of the wrought iron product is now just a thin, cheap metal item that is not
very weather resistant. When the public talks about wrought iron, they
could be referring to one of three things - the actual material wrought iron,
hand forged or hand wrought items, or simply the "look" of wrought iron.
Probably about 90% of all "wrought iron" items are actually mass machine made
cheaply constructed foreign steel that is machine bent, not heated and painted
with a thin coat of black paint. True hand wrought iron is actually heated hand
formed using an anvil and various other blacksmithing tools. The actual
"wrought iron" material has not been available in the United States since the
turn of the century. Consequently all wrought iron work is actually formed
modern steel.
Wrought Iron The Material:
The second definition of the term wrought iron is the
forming process. The commonality between factory "wrought iron"
items and blacksmith created "wrought iron" both using steel now
divides with the method of which the metal items are created.
While artist and blacksmiths use heat to bend and form
their steel by hand or
traditional blacksmith tools on the anvil, most
factory made "wrought iron" items are cold bent without
heat and formed by machines. The quality difference
is blatantly obvious. Below you can see illustrated these
different grades of formed scroll work.
The above reference
details one of the most common and simplest wrought iron
components the scroll. However, in the artisan crafted
realm depending on the metal artist the design and
interpretations in metal can be completely amazing.
The blacksmithing art has
seen a rejuvenation in recent years as consumers search for new
products from unique and varying materials. This has lead
to the creation of some unconventional uses of the material as
well as the emergence of many very talented metal artisans and
blacksmiths. Among these renown individuals is metal
artist and fabricator Chuck McIsaac he has created an amazingly
diverse styling in metal work. From his realistic "Black Widow"
chandelier to his "Calla Lily and Vine" series of furniture. His
work includes custom lighting, chandeliers, furniture, and
driveway and garden gates. We offer his and several other
artisans services for private commission or exclusive line of
products for immediate sale online. See our online store
for details and purchasing.
Master Blacksmith/Metal
Artist: Unlimited design and creativity options. The
elite in wrought iron are the renown blacksmiths and metal
artisans that have achieved a level of distinction above the
common blacksmith. Have reached, created art in an unique
style of their own. This work is usually hand signed by
the artist and although the most expensive, like all art
functional or just visual it is an investment that will continue
to grow in value throughout the years. built to endure
generations not years. For those who don't like to make
large investments into art, this is a great option because it is
a usable beauty. Usually by a blacksmith or metal artist this
level of ironwork quality is superb and in no way comparable to
machine or factory created work. It is easily
distinguishable from skilled hand forged by style, detail and
overall quality. The vast knowledge that this group has
achieved has occurred over many years working in iron. and is
very valuable. Unlike the other methods of ironwork, this
ironwork often has a single individuals name associated with the
work and will continue to increase in value as hand crafted
items continue to grow in demand and become harder to find.
Joinery is typically very high quality seamless welds or
traditional forge welds.
Semi-Skilled to Skilled Hand Forged Iron: This group
consists of the intermediate level blacksmith who has achieved a
level beyond just basic knowledge of iron work and is aware of
traditional and modern techniques of blacksmithing.
Typically much thicker iron than the mass produced components,
features smooth flowing or decorative hand forged ends.
Also this work has a continual flow and is not rigid. Hand
hammered texture is evident on the metal surface from the
process required to form the metalwork.
Machine Formed Iron:
Typically found on cheap imported "wrought iron" items where the
profit concerns far outweigh quality. Minimal use of
material, square or rigid ends, cheap welds, poor design and
ultimately a disposable product. Avoid being tempted to
purchase any product made this poorly no mater the cost.
You would probably be able to commission a local blacksmith or
metal hobbyist to create a better product in a far superior
manner for a similar cost.
Factory/Production
Forged: These are mass produced factory forged components,
typically purchased by metal fabrication companies, local
blacksmiths, and railing contractors to create quick assembly
products. These pieces are usually created by several
individuals with both machines and hand tools at their disposal.
Quality of these wrought iron components is much higher than the
machine cold bent iron work but depends greatly on the
manufacturer and their quality control. We use these type
of factory forged components in our standard line of gates, but
they are very high quality and from a renown distributor.
Joinery is often accomplished in this level of product
production with rivets or small straps between decorative
components. Avoid use of these poor cheap joining
method especially for gates as they are often the cause of gate
sagging. If you like the rivet look have your gate
fabricator weld the gate but use faux rivets and strapping.
All of our gates are welded seamlessly and additional faux
rivets or decorative strapping are optional to enhance design.
Designs are limited to available factory produced components and
kits. In addition to the forged iron these companies also offer
stamped decorative iron ornaments like leaves etc that begin as
flat steel and are then stamped by large machines with a pattern
and shape. They are often incorporated into production
quality forge work. The best option however are Artisan
forged leaves which are thick, and flowing and are much more
realistic.
GATE CONSTRUCTION & TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
Wood Gates:
Our wood gates are available in standard clear Western Red
Cedar and also lifetime woods Ipe and Teak. Depending on your climate and
environmental conditions it is possible for Teak and Ipe to last upwards of 80
plus years. We offer our beautiful mortise and tenon joinery on all of our
gates. They are a superior well crafted product.
Wrought Iron Gates:
Our wrought iron gates are all blacksmith fabricated by Cross Custom Works. Each gate is hand MIG welded to
ensure quality construction and a strong durable product. Gate frames are
fabricated from strong 2" square tubular steel. This Decorative
elements are hand forged from solid steel highly skilled
blacksmiths and metal artists.
We offer many additional gate options
including design alterations and coordinating gates and
wrought iron fence. We can also offer complete custom design. Our wrought
iron gate finish options are some of the nicest and diverse available.
Cast Aluminum Gates:
All of our cast aluminum gates are manufactured by
our partner facility in AZ. The gates utilize commercial grade aluminum to manufacture
the cast aluminum components and structural grade 6063 aluminum to
manufacture each of the extruded frame components. All other elements including
hinges, latches and dead bolts, ground anchors and rollers are designed and
engineered to minimize maintenance costs and minimize or eliminate rust or
corrosion concerns by using stainless steel or galvanized metal components.
Perimeter frames are made with heavy-duty, extruded 6063 aluminum profiles. The
standard frame used on most driveway gates, garden and courtyard gates measures
approximately 1.5” x 3”. Other frame sizes are available upon request. Each gate
frame comes hinged with a latch (dead-bolt if requested), a ground anchor and
any required attachment plates for powered equipment properly secured to the
frame.
The gate or fence sections are carefully hand prepped and pre-finished with a
factory applied four-coat acrylic paint available in a wide range of colors as
well as faux finishes in Antique Bronze or Antique Patina Green. Metallic paint
finishes are available in bronze, gun metal gray, blue and green with custom
colors available on request. The gate hinge system consists of a stainless
steel pin-and-barrel hinge with grease port and ball bearing load point. Hinges
are available in 2” and 1.5” diameters. Depending on gate size and weight,
hinges are engineered to a maximum 600 lb. load per hinge. Hinges are welded to
a galvanized steel bracket secured to the aluminum extruded frame by four 1/4”
steel rivet pins. Brackets and hinges come pre-finished to match the gate paint
finish.
