Resources

Ironwork

There is a wealth of decorative ironwork surviving in Ireland, from Georgian and Victorian times, including railings, balconies, roof details, conservatories, bootscrapers, doorknockers and window box rails. The repair and conservation of all this iron and metalwork is of great importance, as these elements add greatly to the particular character of the architecture. Repair and accurate replacement of details can be carried out by skilled ironworkers. Surviving conservatories should be assessed by an expert before beginning any repairs.

In all restoration and repair jobs, it is first essential to know the type of iron used in the construction, as wrought iron, cast iron and mild steel will require different treatments. As much original material should be retained as possible. It may be found to be cheaper to replace one or two cracked gutters and downpipes with cast iron replacements, rather that put in a whole new drainage scheme in plastic.

Rust can be deceptive looking; there may be enough sound iron remaining underneath to make replacement unnecessary. Railings are usually set into masonry with lead, which can cope with a certain amount of expansion. Replacing the lead with cement can lead to problems, as it does not accommodate any expansion.

Regular maintenance will keep corrosion under control. High standard paint application is of vital importance in the care of ironwork.

Resources

Ironwork

Further Reading