How To Clean, Maintain, And Restore Victorian Fences To Their Original Glory

A Victorian-era fence can bring a sense of elegance and enduring style to any home design. First impressions are valuable and welcoming guests to your home with a piece of historical architecture is a surefire way to charm visitors. The Victorian Era refers to the time period between 1820-1914 which roughly aligns with the years Queen Victoria ruled in Great Britain. During this span, a boom in industrialism, economy, culture and art lead to the development of iconic and functional home design, like the Victorian-style fence. A traditional Victorian fence is constructed of wrought iron, a type of fencing that can instantly boost your curb appeal.

These winding wrought iron designs are elaborate and detailed and can reflect both classical and Gothic elements. But pristine Victorian fences can be hard to come by due to their age, and many need a little extra tender love and care to get them back to their original glory. Thankfully, there are many ways to easily clean and maintain a wrought iron fence.

The first step to getting your Victorian fence back in tip top shape is to remove any vegetation or growth that has accumulated over the years. If there are any signs of rust or rough peeling, use a sturdy wire brush and medium grit sandpaper to smooth the surface completely.  Perform a thorough inspection to make sure the fence is structurally sound and has all the necessary hinges and hardware to operate functionally. Wrought iron should be cleaned with a simple soap and water mixture, as strong chemicals could be too harsh and damaging to the historic material. 

Restoring a Victorian wrought iron fence is relatively straight forward. After thoroughly sanding all surfaces until smooth, apply a rust neutralizer for one hour to help prevent future rusting. This can be cleaned off with just soap and water once the wrought iron is treated. Prime the fence with a rust-preventing primer designed for metal surfaces. This can help protect the fence from the elements, and helps the paint adhere better to the fence. 

Opt for an oil-based paint that is durable enough to withstand the outdoors and helps prevent future corrosion. This will help preserve your Victorian fence as time passes. Performing routine maintenance on your fence will help keep it in good condition as well. Any weeds or climbing vines should be regularly removed, and periodical inspections for rust or corrosion can help the problem from escalating. 

Checking to make sure the hinges and hardware are intact is another way to ensure your fence remains in working condition, along with routine paint touch ups. Regularly applying a coat of sealant can help prevent damage from the sun and humidity.  When choosing to decorate your home with Victorian Era fences, a little elbow grease and a few coats of protective paint can go a long way.