Until the war, the West End was a showcase for a rich variety of decorative ironwork from Glasgow's foundries. Sadly, many cast iron railings in the Conservation Area have decayed or have been removed. Reinstating the railings in your terrace or street is a good investment: it improves the local environment and increases the value of your property.
If you have any surviving ironwork in your street, a new mould can be made for an accurate and economical reproduction. (Otherwise old photographs of your street in Mitchell Library may reveal the original patterns.) If you are fortunate enough to have original ironwork on your property, try to encourage your neighbours to participate in a scheme to repair or restore all the railings.
If all the original ironwork is gone, then an entirely new design may be permissible. It is important that any new railings are uniformly designed and in character with the historic buildings so as to improve the appearance and value of the terrace or street.
Cast iron is the ideal material for railings. It is more durable than mild steel, which rusts easily and must be frequently repainted. Maintaining cast iron is straightforward:
