Heritage Ironwork Reproduction Heritage ironwork generally refers to ironwork on historic buildings made from cast iron or wrought iron - usually gates and railings made probably at least 100 years ago. Cast iron items such as decorative finials or caps on stone pillars can be repaired or reproduced by JB Wrought Iron in either cast iron or sand cast aluminium. We have working relationships with highly skilled pattern makers and foundries that can reproduce and repair these items. Prior to the invention and subsequent widespread availability of modern day mild steel, ironwork was made from a very different metal called puddled wrought iron. Due to cost, it is no longer manufactured except by one small mill in the UK. The Eiffel Tower is one famous structure made from genuine wrought iron. Wrought iron is the preferred metal for ornamental blacksmithing. Genuine wrought iron is noted for its resistance to corrosion and ability to be worked by a blacksmith at high temperatures. Genuine wrought iron items can be badly devalued by inappropriate use of modern techniques such as electric welding, when trying to repair. On heritage wrought ironwork, modern conservation principles insist on replacing missing or damaged parts with like materials and done using traditional techniques to retain the heritage value of the item. Just as it would be totally inappropriate to repair heritage stonework with concrete, heritage wrought ironwork should never be replaced with mild steel. JB Wrought Iron works with some of the few blacksmiths in Australia capable of doing repairs to genuine wrought iron and can source genuine wrought iron. Over time, the term wrought iron has been debased and changed in meaning to most people, from being a term that describes a particular metal, to meaning a style of ornamental ironwork (usually with decorative elements like scrolls and twisted bars) or anything made in steel such as steel grilles over windows. Genuine wrought iron work was made using traditional techniques such as mortise and tenon joins, riveting and fire welding. There were no welds to be seen. For this reason it is prized by those who understand it and appreciate the differences between it and modern day work, welded together from mild steel. JB Wrought Iron is creating tomorrow’s heritage ironwork. With the resurgence in popularity of architectural ironwork, JB Wrought Iron is now creating the next century’s heritage ironwork. Using genuine puddled wrought iron, specially imported from the world’s only remaining wrought iron mill, we create bespoke design gates hand crafted by our blacksmith. These gates are crafted using only traditional blacksmithing techniques and will over time, become high value, functional artwork for those who appreciate the beautiful metal and the skills of the master blacksmith. As members of the National Heritage Ironwork Group NHIG, we have working relationships with experts in heritage ironwork. We can provide world class services and expertise regarding heritage ironwork.