Architecturally Speaking

Every now and then we have the privilege of working with an extremely talented landscape architect, an architect with a vision and eye for perfection and someone who thinks out of the box.  When designing a beautiful driveway gate attention has to be paid to details no matter how small.  Working with a professional is the best way to get the design that you want with all the “i’s” dotted and “t’s” crossed.  An architect will help you to create a budget, and if your budget warrants it, you can have an amazing, one of a kind creation that is yours and yours alone. 

Many architects are willing to go out on a limb to create a design that’s perfect.  Of course, that does cost money.  Keep in mind that you won’t be replacing a driveway gate, walk gate or fence very often and sometimes never again, so putting the money out up front will be worth it in the long run.  Isn’t it important that something you look at daily brings you joy?  It’s worth the investment to have a design created that reflects your taste and your home’s exterior and something that you’ll enjoy for a lifetime.  A gate that enhances your home will also increase the value of your home.

Don’t be shy when designing a gate, pay attention to the height and size of your home.  If you have a multi leveled home with large features, then you’ll want an iron design that matches it, something with a presence, and something that can be bold enough to stand up to the large surroundings.  Likewise, if you have a small cottage then you’ll want a more petite size gate, something that blends in with the environment.  Either way, you can still embellish a gate with components that enhance the design and compliment your home’s architectural style. 

If you’re fortunate enough to find an exceptional landscape architect, who is willing to create a design that is unforgettable then you’re ahead of the game because priceless is exactly how you want your forever iron design to look.  An iron fabricator can certainly create a wonderful iron design, but by having a “third party” architect involved, he’ll already know your budget, likes and dislikes and will lend his expertise to the project.  In these busy times, isn’t it important to have a professional assist you in making a decision that will create your home into the showplace that you want it to be, you bet it is. 

Swimming Pool Fencing & Gates

When installing a fence or gate to go around a swimming pool, remember there are code requirements that need to be adhered to. These requirements may vary from city to city. Be sure and contact your city representative to find out what is required in the area that you live. Often, a city's code requirements are listed on their website too, so check it out.

In many instances, a swimming pool barrier must be at least five feet or higher and sometimes six feet is the minimum. There shouldn't be any climbing hazards. The picket spacing should not exceed 4" on center. The gate must be self closing and swing outward, away from the pool. There are also requirements for where the gate latch should be installed and how wide a gap can exist at the bottom of the fence.

Before getting too excited about designing a fancy pool fence, check with the officials. In most cases, you won't be able to install scrolls or interior horizontal railings. All this can create a climbing hazard. Be sure and educate yourself about swimming pool barriers at the onset of your swimming pool project. Talk with your swimming pool contractor about codes; he might be a wealth of information.

I often receive calls from distraught home owners who have put in a pool but cannot fill it until a swimming pool barrier is installed. Knowing this beforehand will allow time you to collect different pricing quotes, contact different fencing contractors, and have a date of installation set so that you can enjoy your new pool the minute it is completed.

What Makes One Fabrication Shop More Expensive Than Another?

Our prices aren't the cheapest. We don't want to be the "cheapest" price; we want to be the best fabricator. I'm sometimes asked why our prices might be more than the other guy's. There are so many reasons, but the ones that stand out the most are; Insurance, (General Liability, Workers' Compensation and Auto) a valid, active California Contractors license and experience.

There are some shops out there that might be operating without insurance.  Not having to pay insurance premiums will lower over head and hence pricing will be less. They may not have shop rent because they might work out of their garage. They may purchase only pre-manufactured materials rather than do any custom work.  They may be new to the business and lack some of the expertise that a more seasoned fabricator brings to the table.  The most important thing is to compare all the pricing you receive and make sure that you're not making your decision based solely on price.  Compare proposals "apples to apples".  Look at the materials that are proposed, are they equal in quality; what is the wall thickness and is it the appropriate material to use for the application.  What finish will be used? Can your fabricator adhere to a time frame; if he says your project will be completed in two weeks, can he stick to that?

Insurance and shop rent are the most expensive aspects of overhead. If your fabricator is paying for these things, then his price will have to be higher to cover costs. Having insurance is very important specifically for you the consumer. Having a shop usually means that the fabricator has good tools and machinery.  He'll be able to put out an exceptional product.  If you're unsure about whether your fabricator has insurance coverage and a Contractors State License, ask him. He should be able to provide you with a copy of his Certificate of Insurance which lists the types of insurance coverage’s, amounts and the policy dates. The California Contractors State License Board issues a Contractor’s License to those contractors who have passed their test and paid their fees.  A license number is always issued so ask your fabricator to provide you with his number. You can verify that his license is active, or if there are any complaints,  by going to the State of California Contractors State License Board's website to check status.

 There is value to you, the consumer, to choose a contractor that has his license, insurance and who is experienced, for no other reason than peace of mind and for your protection.

Draw Me The Perfect Design

I love creating iron designs. The ideas and combinations of material are limitless. I'm always thrilled when a client gives me the go ahead to create a design, unique to them, without boundaries or limitations. There are constraints, there's consideration for architectural styling, for budget and for height and weight restrictions. Don't hesitate to ask your fabricator to design something exceptional. Your fabricator will know the style that will fit your home; he'll know the materials that work best indoors and out and how to combine the different materials so that they complement each other. He'll also know how easy or difficult a design is to make, hence affecting the bottom line.

I encourage you to walk around your neighborhood and check out the iron designs. If there's an area where iron designs are more prevalent go there and take your camera. A picture really is worth a thousand words. The more input you can give your fabricator, the better. I always encourage my clients to look at pictures of iron designs and single out the components that appeal to them. You may find five different iron design pictures that all contain a little something that you like. Those different components can be pulled together to create just what you’re looking for, something really special. If your fabricator has concerns about putting all the components that you like into one design, I'm sure he'll share that concern with you.

Another great option for viewing amazing iron designs is to visit more established areas.  If you have the opportunity to go to Berkeley, Oakland Hills or San Francisco, check out the iron work there.  I've also been told that Europe is the best place to see old worlde workmanship and hand crafted iron designs. 

If you’re unsure about how to come up with an iron design, definitely ask your fabricator, he is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to creating with iron and would be glad to be part of designing something that will be displayed as a work of art. 

Vineyard Styling

Wouldn't we all like to live in Napa?  Grow our own grapes, and sit out amongst the vines in the evening, of course we would! Maybe we all can't live on a Napa estate, but you can bring a touch of Napa into your iron design. There are amazing hand forged grape components available. The grape clusters come in many different sizes and shapes. Most of the grape components look almost real. You can also integrate a vineyard look into your design by adding grape leaves and dangling vines. This is a very artistic approach to creating a walk or driveway gate. If you’re so inclined, add these components to an adjoining fence as well.

When you view an iron project containing the grape leaf design, you'll be amazed at how closely it resembles the real thing. There is a definite touch of elegance when implementing the grape leaf design. I love the grape vines when used in a free form pattern, but you can also embellish your project by adding pickets that have the hand forged grape vine components built into them, very lovely and not as expensive as the a free form aspect.

If you like a splash of color, you can have the grape leaves painted a dark green, the vines a dark brown and the grapes a deep purple. The colors are applied by hand so this does increase the cost of your project, but the final product is gorgeous.  I encourage you to think outside the box, play around with the grape vine components, if you do, you’ll be able to create your own piece of Napa right in the backyard.

Railing Topper

Railings are so beautiful! They can set off any stairway, balcony or deck with a design that draws attention to the area. I've had the most fun designing railings, because there aren't too many restrictions. That being said, you must pay attention to code requirements, but short of that, the design can be whatever you envision. Unlike a gate, you are not restricted by weight, so you can go a little crazy with integrating different components.

When I'm designing a railing, my first question to my client is, “How do you want your top rail to look?” Many people are surprised to know that there are many options to choose from. Most important, stair railing should be comfortable to the touch. One choice to consider is molded cap rail; it's a very finished look, more classic in design. The molded cap has a shape similar to what some wood top rails might look like. There are many sizes and designs of molded cap top rail to choose from, don't be afraid to experiment with them in a design before making your final decision. Using round tube steel as a top rail is an exceptional choice because it is easy to grip and smooth on the hands. When grasped, your hand fits perfectly around it. As I get older, I appreciate the little things in life like being able to hold firmly to a railing. Then, there's tube steel and flat bar top rails. If you want to achieve a contemporary look, then a rectangular tube steel top rail is a great choice.

Sometimes, I'll design the interior of the railing before making my final decision about the top rail. I want my top rail to compliment my guard rail design. It can be difficult to determine what top rail to use until the interior design is done, so be patient, try not to get your heart set on a specific type of top rail until your able to see the whole picture, and trust your instincts.

As with any artistic piece, it’s all a matter of taste and coordinating with the architecture.

Scrolls by Design

There are so many ways to make your iron project something special, unique and that stands out from the crowd. If you love scrolls, use them! There are so many options and styles to choose from, something to fit every architectural design.  I suggest that you go on line, look at different websites, locate pictures of iron designs that you like, print them and show them to your fabricator.  Your fabricator may not be able to duplicate the design exactly, but he'll be able to come close.  Doing this prep work at the beginning will save a lot of guess work down the road.  If you've presented your fabricator with the style you have in mind, he'll understand your concept and be able to better assist you with creating your project. 

When choosing scrolls be sure to take into consideration the size of your project. If your project is small, then it might be prudent to stick with smaller sized scrolls. If you have a large or tall project, then go a little wild. There are elongated scroll components that really make a driveway gate look amazing. The nice thing about using the larger scrolls is that it takes up space so you don't have to use so many pickets or other ornamental components as fillers.

There is something elegant about a scroll. When choosing your design, pay special attention to the scroll ends. There are scrolls that come to a point at the end creating a softer look. Then, there are scrolls that have a chunkier look at the end, and there are those where the end might flare out into a fan type shape. This detail may not seem important initially but everything is driven by taste and you want to make sure that the scroll design you choose compliments yours.

There are very simplistic scrolls to add just a splash of decoration to your project. There are even scrolls that are made to fit over pickets, like a collar. The nice thing about this scroll design is that you can place the scrolls at any location on the picket allowing you to create a unique pattern that enhances the look of the project.

Many of the hand forged pickets have wonderful scroll designs fashioned into them. This type picket is a little more expensive, but the finished product is amazing. If you choose a picket/scroll design, there's often a picket collar integrated as part of the component. That way you get two designs for the price of one.

So, go a little crazy and add those scrolls, you won't be disappointed!

A Post is Simply A Post . . . Or, Is It?

It's so easy to overlook a post. By most accounts, a post really isn’t that beautiful. We get so caught up in designing the interior of a project that the look of the post can be completely left out. It’s a shame, because there are many lovely post caps available to choose from. The type of cap is dependent upon the size of the post. If your post is larger in size, then your post cap selection is limited. If your using standard size posts, say 2" square, then you'll find many styles to choose from.

If you're trying to cut costs, and can't afford that fancy interior design, be sure to ask about post caps. They add that little something that could be missing from the project. By adding this simple finishing touch, you are creating something unique and special.

Of all the post caps, I love ball caps the best, they are classic in design and finish off your post nicely. They are compatible with almost every architectural style and really are timeless. You can even see the ball cap design used on wrought iron projects made over one hundred years ago.

Ask your fabricator to show you his selection of post caps. They are often reasonably priced and installing them doesn't add much more to the project, and your posts deserve it. Your posts really can showcase your iron design; think about implementing something out of the ordinary, to make your project extraordinary.

The Dreaded Budget

I meet with many people, on a weekly basis, to discuss their iron needs.  Often, the people that I meet have no idea what it costs to fabricate and install iron products. I may end up being the appointment directly following someone that has just met with a wood contractor because my potential client is considering both a wood or iron product. You may not know this, but wood is much more affordable than iron. The person that I end up meeting with is then discouraged and dismayed about the price difference.

It is sometimes more productive for both myself and my potential client to discuss the budget before even meeting. If the budget isn't in the ball park, then I've saved us both a lot of time. As a consumer myself, I'm often leery to expose what I want to pay for something, thinking that I might not get the best price by doing so. I understand when people aren't willing to talk about their budget, but sometimes it's necessary. I hate to see people get their hopes up just to have them dashed because the price is twice as much as they anticipated. Why not get all the cards right out there on the table before getting too involved.

I've found that a good practice is to discuss over the phone what the client's needs and expectations are. If my potential client has photos of the area where the iron design is to be installed, I ask that they email me those photos. I talk to them about the measurements, the finish and the design expectations. I can, more often than not, give an approximate price right over the phone. If my potential client is agreeable to that price, then we meet and finalize the design and details.  By taking the time up front, it ends up being more of a win, win situation for everyone.

It is important to decide what you are willing to pay for a project before meeting with contractors. It is also important to establish exactly what you want in the way of design, know what materials are to be used, and be sure to include any misc. items that your interested in such as an automatic gate operator, telephone entry system or wireless keypad. This way, you can compare apples to apples all the prices that you collect.  If you like a contractor, but someone else’s price is less, don’t be afraid to contact that contractor to discuss his price.  You might find out that one of the contractors is proposing to use better materials or a different finish and that's why there's a price difference.  Educating yourself before signing a contract is the best way to get the most for your dollars.  In this economy, we are all looking out for our pocket books.  Most contractors understand this and will work with you to come in within budget, giving you the design you want, and a product you can be proud of.

Baskets Aren't Just for Carrying Flowers

I love baskets; they make even the simplest things more beautiful. There is no exception when designing your iron gate, railing or fencing. Baskets are those sphere like, twisted components that weld in between pickets. They add a unique take to any design. They come in many shapes and sizes. There are elongated baskets that are banded at each end and there are the wider, shorter baskets that present more of a modern look. My favorite is integrating baskets with twisted pickets; it's such an interesting presentation. Of course, that look isn't for everyone; you really need to evaluate the architecture of your home before deciding on implementing any component. If you want your pickets to stand out, inserting baskets in the design is the way to go. The baskets draw attention to the pickets and glamorize them.

I like to incorporate scroll work when using baskets. If you're designing an iron railing, why not add a beautiful scroll component underneath the top rail, enhance it with a slimmer second rail; maybe by using flat bar, and then add your baskets to your pickets, voila, a work of art!

Ask your fabricator to sketch a design using the components that you like and try incorporating those baskets into that design. After reviewing the sketch, you'll know immediately whether or not the design is for you. Don't stop if it isn't, keep going and try implementing new components. There are so many components to choose from and if you have it in your budget, go a little crazy and design something with a hammered look or something that has some curvature to it, you won't be dissappointed.