A good-looking home theme combined with an elegant outlook offers a peerless beauty. Most people love to enjoy the landscape views while standing on their balconies. It even looks fantastic when you have installed the railings outside your door. Safety and beauty emerge in one place.
But concerns pop out about the material. Which material is suitable for the railings? Aluminum or wrought iron? If you have the same questions flashing through your brain, perfect! This guide is all about the aluminum railing vs wrought iron. We will see the pros, cons, and material designs for your railings. Let’s go through each material step by step.
Table of contents
Part 1: Understanding Aluminum Railing
a) An overview of aluminum railing
Aluminum is one of the stylish, durable, and lightweight materials ready to keep corrosion miles away. Moreover, it is pretty affordable and suitable for modern home designs.
Aluminum railing designs look elegant when tried with different matching themes of your homes. Various colors and contrasting themes give a new life to your home and compel everyone to appreciate your efforts for such an incredible scene.
b) Advantages and uses
Aluminum railings share many advantages for modern homes. We have evaluated the key benefits of the aluminum railings.
Strong and lightweight
Is your home near the mountains? Indeed, you have access to beautiful scenery but might face extremes of environment. If so, aluminum railings are your hitman. They withstand the extremes of the environment and allow a beautiful scene even in the snow. Their lightweight designs make them portable.
No risks of rust
If you are afraid of iron rotting or rusting within days, forget it with the aluminum railings. They are immune to all types of rust because they don’t allow oxidation, leading to safety from corrosion. Whether facing high heat or extreme snow, keep the aluminum growing!
Customizable
Don’t worry about the customization anymore. Aluminum is one of the best materials that comes in various colors and shapes and is easy to customize. Decide on your home theme and install the DIY railings in your home with confidence. Try the black color Aluminum railings if your home receives more light or has light-colored paintings on the walls.
Durable
Aluminum is strong enough to resist the heavy environmental conditions. There are no risks of damage, and increased life is the green flag. Extend its life with effective maintenance for many years.
Blends with environment
Aluminum railings have versatile shapes and styles. Moreover, aluminum railings boost the love of active environmentalists as it is an eco-friendly environment. Installation is easy, with better customization and blending with your home themes.
c) Negative qualities
Don’t go all the way for the Aluminum railings, as there is much more you need to know about it. Here are some disadvantages of using Aluminum railings.
Expensive
If you have a low budget, you can think of an aluminum railing without pocketing it. Compared to other materials, aluminum is an expensive choice, costing extra expenses. You have to raise your budget or use different materials such as steel.
Part 2: Understanding Wrought Iron
a) An overview
Wrought iron is an alloy of the pure iron material with the carbon content. The purpose of carbon is to add hardness and improve the strength of the material. Since the tendency of iron to rust is relatively high, carbon content also keeps the rust miles away compared to pure iron materials.
b) Advantages and uses
Wrought iron can add the following benefits to your railings or gates.
High strength
Regarding strength, none can beat the iron combo with the carbon. It has a high hardness and tensile strength of 240-250 megapascals.
Whether doors or railings, high pressure can’t even bend the wrought iron. With such a high strength, you can install the sleek design without risks of breakage.
Customization
Iron is famous for all types of household products. From pipes to kitchen utensils and railings, wrought iron has an edge due to better customization and shaping.
Melt the iron to the desired temperatures and mold it into any shape. A skilled blacksmith can make elegant wrought iron railings.
Long Lasting
Expect nothing less than a half-century of service at your doorstep from the iron. Its durability and impact resistance make it sure. You’ll get a durable solution if temperatures exceed 50 degrees Celsius or below zero degrees.
The performance of wrought iron remains the same in all the four seasons.
Little maintenance
Undoubtedly, iron gets rusted, but you need to know the contact with water or moisture with your railings.
Moreover, polish your railings to keep the dust and rust miles away. Also, consider the weekly inspection to check for scratch marks or dents on the surface.
Affordable prices
One of the best things people tend to buy wrought iron railings is the lower cost. It doesn’t pose financial burdens while keeping the quality above excellence. It can be a one-time investment that performs for decades.
c) Negative qualities
Wrought iron is under attack by rust and various other cons. Keep an eye on the following:
Risks of corrosion
Once you have invited the wrought iron railings to your doorstep, get ready for the corrosion. In the rainy season, oxidation mechanisms cause the rust to stick to the iron surface.
There are various issues associated with the corrosion. These include:
- Reduce iron performance
- Lousy appearance
- Quick deterioration of the iron material
- Risks of quick breaks in the material
- Hassles of maintenance
Part 3: Comparison and Differences Between Aluminum Railing and Wrought Iron
Aluminum railings vs wrought iron railings can hold a tight competition—all thanks to the flawless features of both materials with access to various features. Let’s compare both materials head to head.
a) An overview and comparison
Aluminum and wrought are materials of different leagues compared to their elements.
Aluminum is a metal with an atomic number of 13. Processing of the aluminum through different processes makes it suitable for the railings. Sometimes, aluminum alloys add good features and eliminate the bad ones from pure aluminum.
Wrought iron is an alloy of the iron with a low count of the carbon content. Adding the carbon contents keeps it away from rust and oxidation in the free air.
b) Material and style
In terms of style and materials, both are on the top. Consider your home themes and customize the styles of iron and aluminum. Ultimately, you’ll find an excellent railing glowing in your home.
Usually, aluminum offers better customization jobs. From colors to design, bend it as per requirements. Don’t underestimate the power of wrought iron, too. It provides good compatibility.
c) Strength and durability
One has a better strength while the other is more durable in the aluminum railings vs wrought iron.
Aluminum railings are pretty durable. They stand out in all the worst environmental scenarios.
Compared to aluminum, wrought has a high impact resistance and impressive strength. But it doesn’t last longer than the aluminum until you maintain it regularly and polish it to avoid corrosion and rotting.
d) Maintenance requirements
Maintenance can be a big trouble for most users. It is because of boring cleaning jobs.
Aluminum railings are the king’s crown, requiring less to no maintenance. There is no risk of corrosion, and you are out of concern for the daily inspection and regular monitoring.
When it comes to the wrought iron, rust is the biggest problem. Keep polishing your railings every ten years to avoid corrosion. Plus, get a ticket for effective maintenance every single week.
e) Cost considerations
Suppose you want an affordable option for your railings; set up a comparison of costs. We have different cost considerations for both materials.
Aluminum is an expensive material. This is because of extended manufacturing and processing processes. Moreover, its stylish look and corrosion resistance also increase its costs. Therefore, it is more expensive per linear foot than wrought iron.
Wrought iron costs less per linear foot because it does not need more concerns. High carbon content maximizes its corrosion resistance. Regular maintenance can keep you away from cost.
Part 4: Aluminum vs Wrought Iron Railing: Which Metal is Best for Railing?
Some cases and scenarios can define when you need wrought iron and aluminum railings. These include:
Choose Aluminum Railing if:
- You prioritize affordability and want low maintenance.
- Either you have modern home designs or are looking for aesthetically pleasing ones.
- Installation ease is important to you. You can easily tackle DIY installations for your aluminum stair railings and deck railings.
Choose Wrought Iron Railing if:
- Strength and durability are your top concerns since wrought iron is famous for its durability due to iron and carbon content.
- You desire a classic and timeless look on your balconies and stairs.
- You’re willing to invest in a long-lasting railing with higher maintenance needs.
Usually, these are standard cases that help understand the suitability of each material.
Part 5: Best Aluminum & Wrought Iron Railing in 2024
VEVOR has nurtured users with tons of wrought iron and aluminum railing solutions. You get nothing less than world-class quality railings.
We have listed the top 4 best railings from the VEVOR.
VEVOR Outdoor Handrail 165LBS
This VEVOR handrail offers the ultimate luxury to the users owing to the aluminum material and appealing look. Here are some key features.
- Adjustable Design
- High Bearing Capacity
- Effortless Installation
- Sturdy Aluminum Material
VEVOR Handrail Stair Railing
VEVOR Handrail Stair Railing is another best option from the VEVOR aluminum category. It comes with the following features.
- Enhanced Stability
- Comprehensive Accessories
- Ergonomic Design
- Versatile Usage
VEVOR Wrought Iron Handrail
If you want a wrought iron handrail, this choice comes with the following features.
- Flexible for 4 or 5 Steps
- Sturdy Wrought Iron
- Effortless Installation
- Stylish & Delicate Design
VEVOR Transitional Wrought Iron Handrail
For all the transitional designs, you can consider the VEVOR transitional wrought iron handrail. It has the following features
- 0 to 5-step flexibility
- Elegant Design
- Versatile
- Adjustable
Conclusion
Whether aluminum or wrought iron, all materials are practical for the railings. They offer a long life and easy maintenance. Plus, you get an affordable budget. In case of your first experience, look for the best quality and manufacturers’ warranties. Consider the best brands with the ultimate durability of the railings.
VEVOR is one of those top brands with excellence in the railings. No matter if you need wrought iron or aluminum, keep an eye on all types of railings. Decide on the affordable costs for the next 50-60 years and expect the next-level performance. Go on and check out the railings now!
