Reclamation – Cast Iron Railings
As we are doing up our house on a budget, we have to take advantage of opportunities as they turn up. About a year ago the chapel up the road was being demolished. For modest sum we acquired enough of the original Victorian Cast Iron Railings to fit in front of our house. I reclaimed some Oak Panelling for our living room as well. I’m kicking myself for missing out on some of the Stained glass windows that would have been fantastic for the conservatory.
Victorian Cast Iron Railings reclaimed and refitted
After a year wrapped up in, hidden from the prying eyes of scrap gatherers, I final got round to fitting the railings. It’s involved a fair bit of learning, discovering how they where originally assembled and fitted. It’s not nearly as simple as fitting wrought iron railings with bolts etc.
Its been worth it, buying direct from the demolition site was a lot cheap than going to a reclamation yard or architecture antique dealers. Fitting it myself has got to have saved a small fortune over using a specialist, I don’t think many regular builders would have had the patience or skills to do a good job.
The results make an amazing difference to the look of house. The neighbours are impressed and it gives me more of nudge to get cracking on with the rest of front of the house.
Full details of how I’ve fitted these can be seen here – Reclaimed Antique Cast Iron Railings
Please leave me a comment if this info is useful, your reclamation, restoration railings worked out differently or you have any suggestions.
Thanks, Andy
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Very unusual project, enjoyed the detailed snaps. Very interesting how they are made and cast into stone with lead. I like your car jack and wedge solution.
The railings look the part!
Thanks Gordon,
Yes very unusual, I had a surf around before I started but couldn’t find anything about fitting cast iron railings. There might not be many people in the world looking to fit railings but at least now they can see how it can be done.
Cheers Andy