If you’re lucky enough to have a building with beautiful cast iron ornamental work, you should take pride in it. Cast iron architectural details have a long history of use in some of the most decorated and beautiful buildings, and represents a feat of engineering that took place at the turn of the century that allowed buildings to be built taller due to the strength
Casting is a centuries-old technique, with evidence of iron casting dating back to roughly 3000 years before the common era. In the business of iron casting, pattern making is critical. If the pattern for the mold is flawed in any way, every casting that comes out of it will be defective as well. Therefore, taking the time to create the perfect frame is vital for…
The field of architectural cast iron restoration is only about 40 years old but is growing into a well-established community. Restoring the cast iron facades in cities across the US is a way to celebrate the heritage of architectural artwork. The work is rewarding but not without costs in time, money and the need to preserve living history. Here are some things to consider (as…Read More
Upon seeing a rickety old building or an old rusting fence, it’s easy to overlook the appeal. After all, it’s just the fading remnants of years gone by, right? Maybe not. These sites were once as important to the people who lived and worked in them as our structures are to us today. In fact, restoring such sites can bring the meaning back to life.…
Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi's "Fountain of Light and Water"; Image credit: Architect of the Capitol; public domain. Cast iron has been utilized in our structures for much longer than most of us realize. It was invented in China over 2,000 years ago, and was an extremely expensive luxury used only in very small amounts. Fast forward a couple thousand years: in the mid 1700’s, the English…
We’ve all found ourselves walking through historic neighborhoods or business districts, admiring the beautiful handworked cast iron railings and window grills. Whether the building is brick, stone or another facade, the cast iron workings add a sense of history and romance to the scene. Sadly, the passage of time and incorrect maintenance has lead to the degradation of many of these elements. Antique Cast Iron,…
Antique Cast Iron, LLC specializes in historic vault lighting preservation and repair. Vault lights, otherwise known as pavement lights or sidewalks lights, are essentially glass inserts placed into cast iron or concrete that were intended to allow light from the street to enter the area below the sidewalk, usually on business streets, that operated as storage or rental areas for the shop owners above. Due…
Casting is a centuries-old technique, with evidence of iron casting dating back to roughly 3000 years before the common era. In the business of iron casting, pattern making is critical. If the pattern for the mold is flawed in any way, every casting that comes out of it will be defective as well. Therefore, taking the time to create the perfect frame is vital for… 
Upon seeing a rickety old building or an old rusting fence, it’s easy to overlook the appeal. After all, it’s just the fading remnants of years gone by, right? Maybe not. These sites were once as important to the people who lived and worked in them as our structures are to us today. In fact, restoring such sites can bring the meaning back to life.… 
We’ve all found ourselves walking through historic neighborhoods or business districts, admiring the beautiful handworked cast iron railings and window grills. Whether the building is brick, stone or another facade, the cast iron workings add a sense of history and romance to the scene. Sadly, the passage of time and incorrect maintenance has lead to the degradation of many of these elements. Antique Cast Iron,… 
Antique Cast Iron, LLC specializes in historic vault lighting preservation and repair. Vault lights, otherwise known as pavement lights or sidewalks lights, are essentially glass inserts placed into cast iron or concrete that were intended to allow light from the street to enter the area below the sidewalk, usually on business streets, that operated as storage or rental areas for the shop owners above. Due… 