Finials for Fences – What Are They Exactly Anyways?

One of the factors that set Iron Fence Shop apart from our competitors (and makes our fence systems look strikingly noble and tasteful) are the cast, welded finials we place on top of our aluminum and iron fence panels and gates. These finials, which we weld to the top of each picket of each piece, truly add a classic style touch that our customers love. But what exactly is a finial anyways and where did they come from?

Finials have a long and storied history behind them. These architectural devices were originally designed to call attention to the apex, or top, of buildings, walls or other structures on castles and keeps. They were originally constructed out of carved stone but now are often made out of plastic or metal and are used to grace the tops of flag poles, clocks, archways, bed posts and in other decorative applications such as for furniture. There are many designs for finials – some are even used at the end of lamp pull chains or for drapery rods.

At one point in the 17th and 18th centuries, finials were actually placed on roofs to prevent witches from landing on cottages and buildings in Europe. In China at differing stages of that vast country’s history, military and civil leaders wore finials on top of their hats for formal court ceremonies. Today, finials serve a largely decorative function and that’s how Iron Fence Shop uses them – to add beauty and class to our fence products.

We hope our future customers will enjoy finials as much as our past customers have been thrilled by them. Thanks for reading.