The fact that most of these houses still possess original ironwork, hundreds of years old, says something very good about the iron from which it was made. Whilst wrought iron is a crude material by the standards of modern highly refined steels and pure iron, it is the very impurities in the iron which give it its superior qualities of resistance to corrosion.

Although quantity production of wrought irons ceased in the early twentieth century, there is still a demand for the metal for high quality restoration work and for new work, where the ancient wisdom is respected. After all the ironwork of today, if treasured, can be made to last just as long as the old work.

With our sister company The Real Wrought Iron Company we have the facilities to roll sections for use in architectural metalwork and general bespoke blacksmith and heritage work, charcoal wrought iron sheet for deep repoussé work (such as acanthus leaves and armour), and puddled wrought iron sheet for items such as water leaves, lock boxes, nails etc., and specialist sections such as glazing bars, mouldings and handrail.

Wrought iron is a diminishing resource and we are anxious to send the message to conservation officers that in order to assist the protection of historic ironwork generally, that they ensure that any project in their area that results in the demolition of wrought iron structures has as a condition of planning approval that the material is either first offered to us for recycling or to the Local Authority with a view to their holding quantities of railing which may become available in their particular area, for future rolling into material for restoration purposes. Chris Topp & Co are able to advise on such a scheme, and to keep track of such stocks.