A wrought iron door is any type of door that is constructed from the specific material known as wrought iron, which is a type of iron that is worked by hand, often into ornate patterns. The metal is heated and worked by hand with metal working tools, unlike the process of cast iron, in which the iron is heated and poured into casts that give the iron its shape. A wrought iron door is likely to be very attractive but also very expensive, as wrought iron in general is more difficult to obtain; cast iron is much more common because the process is quicker and easier.
Some wrought iron door models are not wrought iron at all, but instead a type of steel. Such models are still known as a wrought iron door because they are in keeping with the general style and aesthetic of traditional wrought iron door models; steel is more commonly used, and it is less expensive to manufacture. Steel is also quite strong, and it can be made to be resistant to weather damage such as rusting. True wrought iron door units are fairly rare, and those that do exist are likely to be quite expensive; they are most commonly found on historic buildings or very expensive homes .
True wrought iron often featured a grain, similar to wood, because of a fibrous byproduct known as slag. This grain added to the aesthetic appeal of the highly malleable metal, and as the metal was bent to near failure, the slag would essentially stretch and create a grain as the metal cooled. Iron is very malleable, so a wrought iron door is likely to feature many swoops and bends that create a highly ornate look. The door is also likely to be quite heavy, as iron is by no means a light metal.
Most wrought iron doors are not solid doors; they are usually combined with a pane of glass or timber that acts as the real barrier. The wrought iron is usually only decorative, though it can be structural as well: glass or wood can be mounted directly to the wrought iron, which is in turn mounted to hinges that are connected to the door frame. Solid wrought iron doors are very rare and very expensive; they are also exceptionally heavy and cumbersome. Many wrought iron doors feature wrought iron only as an accenting material to enhance the aesthetic of the door.
