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wrought iron door questions

16 years ago

Hi

We're looking at doors and I had some questions on wrought iron. what guage iron is good quality? several sellers list 14 some 12 which is better? How difficult are they to install, would this cost the same as a wooden door? Also do any owners have comments on their durability? do issues develop with seasonal changes and how much maintenance do they need? I live in a relatively warm north carolina does the door iron get roasting hot in the summer? Thanks

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Comments (4)

mcbird
16 years ago
Ours are Durango doors and we love them. Not sure the gauge, but they are heavy and require a firm closing to be really closed. No problems with seasonal changes, but we're in Texas and I think the coldest it got this year was 29. Maintenance is cleaning the dog snot off the inside and the red clay off the outside. As for getting roasting hot in the summer, I don't recall it getting that hot last year, but we have a covered entry so that makes a difference. It faces the east so every morning the sun shines through brightly and where the dog takes up occupancy, hence the dog snot. Ours are scrolled iron with glass that opens in for cleaning. We paid $6495 without hardware for them and honestly I don't know how difficult they were to install because we built from 1300 miles away and weren't here. The builder didn't mention them being a problem. One thing I do know about them is that when we first moved it they didn't close perfectly and Durango sent a rep out the very next day to adjust the door and the weatherstripping. We are very pleased. I'll try to post a picture tomorrow if you'd like, or you could go to the durango door website. The model we ordered is called shoals.
eventhecatisaboy
16 years ago
If memory serves me right, I believe there were some folks on this site that had luck with oldeworldart.com. Try a search on wrought iron doors or entry doors and see what comes up.

Good luck!
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There is no HVLP paint. That describes the painting equipment and the paint itself could be just about anything, even flat latex, but if they're talking an automotive-quality hardened finish, that's something else indeed. Powder coat is expensive as it involves an oven big enough for the door to fit in, in order to melt the plastic powder. It should last a long long time and is very resistant to physical and weather abuse. Cheapo paint will need to be touched up or resprayed from aerosol cans every five or so years and cost twelve dollars each time. Automotive quality finishes last as long as powder coat ones and tend to be only slightly less durable. If it's a real iron door, not cheap tubular steel with stamped mesh screening and such, it's going to be expensive from the get-go, so it becomes a major item versus a cheap replaceable screen door and a major item might just deserve a thirty year powder coat finish.
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My parents have wrought iron furniture and they just use a scrub brush and soap and water once a year and hose off in the spring. They also, about once per year, give it a light coat of rustoleum spray paint. They have been doing that for years and years and still looks as good as new. It's at least 35 years old.
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davewg, I have wrought iron furniture on a deck at my lake home. It's not screened in, but does have a roof over it. First year we put the furniture in storage, last winter we left it uncovered. No problems. We wiped it down with a wet rag. Never had to hose it off. It gets dusty, but it does well as it's not out in the sun and doesn't fade. I fully expect it to last years and years.
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Grrr. You folks are making great points. Thank you. I am at war with those columns anyway. Mtn, thanks so much for the photos. That first one is similar to my home in front with multiple materials -- especially the siding on the garage which I have painted dark charcoal -- leading me to like a the "blackish" door. The second photo I had used for inspiration when considering brick painting. What about the "blackish" door options below .... I don't want half-half w/mutin bars as I have that now with blinds and it is wayyy too country for me. I am moving toward craftsmanship style or traditional/artsy fartsy -- maybe 3rd one?
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teddas
16 years ago
I ordered my door from Imperial doors and the quality was superior! Very heavy iron door, I also got scrolls on front. It was about $8000.00. I also have the swing in glass doors for cleaning or just for letting in the air and bugs! We are not finished building but we are in northern Virginia and it is always COLD to the touch. I am not sure how efficient it will be but it sure is gorgeous! I posted a link.

http://www.imperialdoors.com/irondoor_gallery.php
house3
15 years ago
teddas Let's see photos of you front door!

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