Wrought Iron Patio Furniture has a long a varied history. Wrought Iron is a durable and strong iron alloy that historically offered a fibrous look, similar to the grain of bent wood, and was used to produce a variety of items, including tools and weapons. The first documented use of wrought iron furniture was in Ancient Rome and China. Wrought iron furniture was made during the Roman Empire, and in Ancient China as early as the “Spring and Autumn Period” of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (722-426 BCE). It was mostly used indoors. Historically charcoal was always integral to the production of wrought iron. The typical iron forges that reduced the ore were manned by blacksmiths who were occasionally viewed by their contemporaries as wizards or sorcerers. Commercial blacksmiths made fortunes producing chains, nails, rivets, rings, pipes, ornamental ironwork such as gates and, of course, horseshoes.The Industrial Revolution (18th and 19th Centuries) changed wrought iron forever from brittle and shatter-prone, to malleable and durable. The 18thCentury witnessed the creation of “Puddled Iron”; a special furnace developed for this process ensured the impurities of the heat source failed to reach the iron. This “Puddled Iron” not only produced stronger iron, it could produce larger quantities of it faster. This method was refined by Henry Cort in the late 1700s. Wrought iron production skyrocketed after these Industrial Revolution advances. Wrought iron beds, tables and chairs were favorites across Europe and America, and during the 1700s wrought iron garden furniture was first introduced. Cast Iron dominated wrought iron for several years during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Production centers in England and the United States refined their production methods, and iron Patio Furniture appeared one of a kind, but could be mass produced. Coalbrookdale & Co. established in Shropshire, England in the 1700s were early innovators, developing their own process to create outdoor iron garden furniture that allowed intricate designs on durable and robust pieces. Many regard Coalbrookdale & Co. furniture the ancestor of contemporary outdoor wrought iron patio furniture. Modern Wrought Iron Patio Furniture is made from a variety of cutting-edge alloys that allow stronger and more attractive tables and seats. The name wrought iron refers to the fact that wrought iron patio furniture is typically bent and welded by hand into a particular shape by skilled craftsmen.

Family Leisure has Wrought Iron Patio Furniture at a discount. We carry a wide variety of wrought iron from many of the top brands such as Woodard, Alfresco Home and Lyon Shaw. Whether you are looking for a bench, dining set or chaise lounge we have every option you could imagine with or without cushions. Over 40 years in the Patio Furniture business allows us to bring you the highest quality products at the guaranteed best prices. We do special order fabrics or you can choose from a huge selection of in-stock patio furniture cushion fabrics on clearance. Let us help you make your outdoor living area come to life.

Learn more about Wrought Iron in our Wrought Iron Patio Furniture Resource Center.