Wall top railings for Dublin's period homes
A huge number of Dublin's original wall top railings were removed during the twentieth century. Putting them back changes the front of a house more than almost any other single job.
Finding the original pattern
The evidence is usually still there. Lead filled pockets in the capping show the original bar spacing, and a neighbouring house on the same terrace often retains a complete run. Between the two you can recover the original design accurately without guesswork.
Bar diameter, spacing, the height of the top rail and the head detail are the elements that define the look. We work from photographs and measurements and produce a drawing for approval before fabrication.
Protecting the capping
Granite and limestone cappings are original fabric and easy to ruin. Core drilling has to be done carefully and at the right positions, and resin anchoring is preferred over any expanding fixing that could split the stone.
Where the capping is already cracked or the pockets are blown out, a base plate arrangement fixed to the wall face is sometimes kinder to the stone than drilling into it again. We assess this on site.
Conservation areas and protected structures
Many Dublin period streets sit within architectural conservation areas, and some individual houses are protected structures. Reinstating railings is generally viewed favourably, but the design may need to be agreed with the local authority conservation officer.
It is worth a call to the council before ordering. We supply drawings you can use for that conversation.
Finish
Hot dip galvanising followed by a matt black powder coat gives the traditional appearance with modern durability. Original wrought iron railings were painted and needed constant maintenance, and there is no reason to repeat that.
Send photographs of your wall and of any surviving railings on the terrace, and we will draw up a matching design.
Want this priced for your own job? Send us your drawings or a photo and we will come back with a fixed price, usually within one working day.
Common questions
Need this done properly? Talk to the workshop.
Send us drawings, a sketch or a site photo. We come back with a fixed price and a firm lead time, usually within one working day.