If you’re considering putting in an automated driveway entry gate, then don't forget to contact your local fire department about obtaining a Knox Key Switch. Many fire districts have different requirements regarding what Knox Key Switch they want you to purchase. Your local fire department will have an application that you can complete for the purchase of the Knox Key, and with their help you'll be able to choose the correct one. By installing a Knox Key Switch at your automated driveway gate, the fire department can use the Know Switch if they need to enter your property and without having to break down your automated driveway gate in the process.
I'm often asked, "Why have a secure automated driveway gate installed if anyone can open it with a key switch?" That's not the case, no one, other than your local fire department, can access that switch. A Knox Key Switch is for your protection.
If you choose to include a telephone entry system with your automated driveway gate, then the Knox Key Switch can be installed directly onto the post that holds the telephone entry keypad. It's a more visible way to install the Knox Key and a little easier for the fire department to spot.
There are many particulars that should be considered when installing an automated driveway gate, little particulars that make a big difference, like a Knox Key Switch. Ask your iron fabricator to provide you with a list of items that will be needed and options that are available.
Mediterrean Style Gate
Scrolls, Arched Top, Beautiful
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
What's the Best Finish for Your Project?
There are several different finishes to choose from for wrought iron projects. The standard finish is primed and painted black. Black is a wonderful color choice because it complements almost all other colors, its classic and it is easily touched up. When you paint your project black, it will blend into the environment. You can also choose a specialty paint color, maybe one that matches the trim of your house or other existing wrought iron designs. If you choose to use a lighter color, like white, the eye is drawn to lighter colors and it will make your iron design stand out and be the focal point.
A patina is lovely and a very popular choice. You can achieve an "Old Worlde" look by having the right patina applied. There are numerous patina hues to choose from, selecting one is a matter of taste and coordinating with your existing color scheme. Patina's can hide the imperfections in the metal and often those imperfections enhance the look of the patina. It's a little harder to touch up patina finishes, but maybe you won't want to because it does add to the aged look.
Another option is to have your metal design powder coated. Powder coating is applied to metalwork to create a hard finish that is tougher than standard paints. The coating is normally applied electro statically and is then cured under heat to allow it to flow and form a skin. There are several benefits to powder coating. Powder coating is more hard-wearing and produces a much thicker coating than standard liquid paints and without running. When an item is powder coated it has fewer appearance differences (flaws) than liquid coated items (which show the direction of brush strokes and imperfections in the metal). Finally, powder coatings release near zero unstable organic compounds and their production waste stream is far less toxic than liquid paints. Another great benefit of powder coating is that many of the color choices have built in UV protection which helps with fading. In many areas, where the sun beats down much of the year, fading is a concern and powder coating your metal design may really help.
A patina is lovely and a very popular choice. You can achieve an "Old Worlde" look by having the right patina applied. There are numerous patina hues to choose from, selecting one is a matter of taste and coordinating with your existing color scheme. Patina's can hide the imperfections in the metal and often those imperfections enhance the look of the patina. It's a little harder to touch up patina finishes, but maybe you won't want to because it does add to the aged look.
Another option is to have your metal design powder coated. Powder coating is applied to metalwork to create a hard finish that is tougher than standard paints. The coating is normally applied electro statically and is then cured under heat to allow it to flow and form a skin. There are several benefits to powder coating. Powder coating is more hard-wearing and produces a much thicker coating than standard liquid paints and without running. When an item is powder coated it has fewer appearance differences (flaws) than liquid coated items (which show the direction of brush strokes and imperfections in the metal). Finally, powder coatings release near zero unstable organic compounds and their production waste stream is far less toxic than liquid paints. Another great benefit of powder coating is that many of the color choices have built in UV protection which helps with fading. In many areas, where the sun beats down much of the year, fading is a concern and powder coating your metal design may really help.
When choosing a finish, certain design elements must be taken into consideration to ensure that powder coating is a truly low-maintenance finishing choice for you. When homeowners pay extra money for a powder coat finish (powder coating does cost more because of the method involved and the fact that the product has to be freighted to and from the powder coater’s shop) they are paying to avoid the annoyance of touching up liquid paint for years to come.
Keep in mind, that when welding has to occur in the field, the powder coat finish is unavoidably marred and the welded joints must be touched up with spray powder coat paint. While the painted areas are not all that noticeable they will need to be maintained indefinitely. If you choose a powder coat finish that has a textured look, the touch up paint will be noticed because the texture does not come through in touch up paint.If your project has a large area of solid steel, like a tall kick plate, then powder coating is a wonderful option. Powder coating is baked on and it lends a smoother look to the solid steel, camouflaging flaws and imperfections, making the steel look smooth and unmarred.
When it comes to metal, there's really no perfect finish. Metal can be scratched or marred during installation and after. Those areas have to be touched up in order to maintain the integrity of the finish. Clients ask me what they can do so that they never have to touch up their architectural metal designs. I wish I had a solution, but the fact is that metal rusts so just be aware and touch those areas up immediately. Also, make sure that you keep your wrought iron away from direct water contact, that's imperative!
When it comes to metal, there's really no perfect finish. Metal can be scratched or marred during installation and after. Those areas have to be touched up in order to maintain the integrity of the finish. Clients ask me what they can do so that they never have to touch up their architectural metal designs. I wish I had a solution, but the fact is that metal rusts so just be aware and touch those areas up immediately. Also, make sure that you keep your wrought iron away from direct water contact, that's imperative!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Railings . . . More than Just Beautiful
Do you have an area that you would like to make a little safer, say a small set of stairs or a deck? The addition of a code compliant guard or stair rail will help to accomplish that. I receive many calls from people that have a set of stairs leading to their home's entrance. These stairs may have been of little concern until an elderly person needs to come to live with them, or someone has tripped and needed a rail to brace themselves, then it becomes a very big problem.
A stair railing can be a beautiful addition and very practical too. Designing an easy to use rail top is very important, you want someones hand to be able to glide across the top rail without feeling uncomfortable. Using a piece of round tube steel as your top rail is a very good choice. The hand can form comfortably around the tube steel making it easy to grasp and hold on to.
Let's face it, we all want to feel secure when climbing or descending a set of stairs. A railing can also add value to your home and beauty too. Installing a railing is often a small project so the monetary output is minimal but the gain immeasurable. Compared to many other wrought iron projects adding
railing is a win win situation.
A stair railing can be a beautiful addition and very practical too. Designing an easy to use rail top is very important, you want someones hand to be able to glide across the top rail without feeling uncomfortable. Using a piece of round tube steel as your top rail is a very good choice. The hand can form comfortably around the tube steel making it easy to grasp and hold on to.
Let's face it, we all want to feel secure when climbing or descending a set of stairs. A railing can also add value to your home and beauty too. Installing a railing is often a small project so the monetary output is minimal but the gain immeasurable. Compared to many other wrought iron projects adding
railing is a win win situation.
Arched or Straight Gate Top
I love an arched top on a gate. There are so many different arch designs, each creating a different look. Having an arched top in your design will add a little extra cost to the project. The labor involved in bending the arch does add to the bottom line but it may be minimal, so don't be afraid to ask before eliminating that idea all together.
The most important aspect of an arched design is the size steel that you use for your frame. The larger the steel, the more difficult it is to bend. Likewise, if you choose a steel size that isn't square, maybe use flat bar instead of square tube steel, then that can cost more because bending the arch from this type material may have to be bent off site. Arching a large rectangular piece of steel requires heavy duty equipment and your average iron shop may not be able to accommodate that.
A standard size to use for a gate frame is 2" square or less. Take a look through your neighborhood, check out the iron gates, notice the size of the tube steel used. I think you'll see that the size is between 1" square to 2" square. Any of these sizes make for a sturdy, lovely looking gate.
Most contemporary styles use a straight top rather than arched. The clean lines of a straight top usually complement the lines of a contemporary style home. If you've chosen a straight top design, then you have a few more options when it comes to steel size. Keep in mind, that you don't want to make your gate too heavy, that creates another set of problems.
If your sold on using a larger size steel frame, let's say tube steel 3" x 2", a straight top is the time to implement it. It's important to use a thicker wall for the tube steel in order to bend this larger size without it wanting to twist or tweak during the process. If you use a thicker wall for the top of the frame, then you can compromise by using the same size steel but a thinner wall on the sides and bottom to reduce the weight of the project.
An arched or straight top gate is a matter of taste and understanding the design elements of your houses architecture. Either choice can make for a unique and wonderful gate.
The most important aspect of an arched design is the size steel that you use for your frame. The larger the steel, the more difficult it is to bend. Likewise, if you choose a steel size that isn't square, maybe use flat bar instead of square tube steel, then that can cost more because bending the arch from this type material may have to be bent off site. Arching a large rectangular piece of steel requires heavy duty equipment and your average iron shop may not be able to accommodate that.
A standard size to use for a gate frame is 2" square or less. Take a look through your neighborhood, check out the iron gates, notice the size of the tube steel used. I think you'll see that the size is between 1" square to 2" square. Any of these sizes make for a sturdy, lovely looking gate.
Most contemporary styles use a straight top rather than arched. The clean lines of a straight top usually complement the lines of a contemporary style home. If you've chosen a straight top design, then you have a few more options when it comes to steel size. Keep in mind, that you don't want to make your gate too heavy, that creates another set of problems.
If your sold on using a larger size steel frame, let's say tube steel 3" x 2", a straight top is the time to implement it. It's important to use a thicker wall for the tube steel in order to bend this larger size without it wanting to twist or tweak during the process. If you use a thicker wall for the top of the frame, then you can compromise by using the same size steel but a thinner wall on the sides and bottom to reduce the weight of the project.
An arched or straight top gate is a matter of taste and understanding the design elements of your houses architecture. Either choice can make for a unique and wonderful gate.
Need Wrought Iron . . . Get All the Work Done at One Time
If you have someone come out to give you pricing for your wrought iron project make sure that when you're shopping for prices that you include all elements of your project and in its entirety. If an iron specialist comes out, make sure that you have him include all aspects of your project. I've had clients request pricing for one part of a project and then later ask me about pricing for another. If you combine all your wrought iron projects the overall cost will be less. It's always less expensive to "mobilize" one time rather than several different times.
I understand that the initial outlay for a project is expensive, but why not try and consolidate and save as much as 30%. If I order materials for a project, the larger the order the more discount the supplier will give. If I spend time locating products and components, designing products, and ordering products it's less expensive to do it all at one time rather than in increments. Time costs money, and the more time that has to be spent, the more the project costs.
If my shop is making an iron project they set up specifically for it. The components are laid out, the materials are cut all at once and specifically for that layout, and then the project is welded together all at one time. Every time my shop sets up for a new project it is easier to complete it and then move on to set up for the next one. If you have your entire project done at the same time then the cost of fabrication is less.
Keep in mind, that every project has to be measured before the process begins. That requires a field employee coming out to your home, or job site, measuring, then detailing the design and creating information that the shop employees can use to put the design together. If you combine your entire wrought iron project then that means only one visit by our field staff to do all the measuring, one time to do all the detailing and calculations, and one set up in the shop for fabricating.
Most important, and the most expensive aspect, is the installation process. Each time we install a project, it requires loading the job truck with tools and equipment specific to the job, loading the job materials and then scheduling the the field crew and driving to the job site. Field crews are always paid higher wages so the less time they spend at a job site, and the fewer times they have to travel to the site, the more the cost savings.
You can see, that by having your entire project done at one time, you've saved field measuring time, detailing time, ordering time, fabrication time and most important, and the most costly, field installation time. So, gather all your wrought iron projects together and have them completed all at once, you'll end up being the real winner and a big saver.
I understand that the initial outlay for a project is expensive, but why not try and consolidate and save as much as 30%. If I order materials for a project, the larger the order the more discount the supplier will give. If I spend time locating products and components, designing products, and ordering products it's less expensive to do it all at one time rather than in increments. Time costs money, and the more time that has to be spent, the more the project costs.
If my shop is making an iron project they set up specifically for it. The components are laid out, the materials are cut all at once and specifically for that layout, and then the project is welded together all at one time. Every time my shop sets up for a new project it is easier to complete it and then move on to set up for the next one. If you have your entire project done at the same time then the cost of fabrication is less.
Keep in mind, that every project has to be measured before the process begins. That requires a field employee coming out to your home, or job site, measuring, then detailing the design and creating information that the shop employees can use to put the design together. If you combine your entire wrought iron project then that means only one visit by our field staff to do all the measuring, one time to do all the detailing and calculations, and one set up in the shop for fabricating.
Most important, and the most expensive aspect, is the installation process. Each time we install a project, it requires loading the job truck with tools and equipment specific to the job, loading the job materials and then scheduling the the field crew and driving to the job site. Field crews are always paid higher wages so the less time they spend at a job site, and the fewer times they have to travel to the site, the more the cost savings.
You can see, that by having your entire project done at one time, you've saved field measuring time, detailing time, ordering time, fabrication time and most important, and the most costly, field installation time. So, gather all your wrought iron projects together and have them completed all at once, you'll end up being the real winner and a big saver.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Railings By Design
Railings really are the simplest way to enhance your home’s interior and exterior. If you love the look of scrolls but want something more, something extra special, then you can enhance your railing design by adding leaves or flower components, wavy pickets or circles and balls.
There seems to be resurgence in railings that are ornately designed and that display old world charm. A small wall opening can become a beautiful work of art given the correct railing panel design, a conversation piece and something to be admired by others. A simple railing can frame an entrance or add that missing touch to a completed room or outdoor space.
When it comes to purchasing just the right couch for your living room you choose something timeless and unique and a railing should be chosen with the same criteria in mind. A couch will be replaced but an iron railing will last forever so pick a design that you love and don’t be too concerned about the cost because it will pay for itself the minute you see the completed product.
Railings are not only for stairs but for patios and verandas too. They can divide a room without closing it in. Imagine walking into your foyer and seeing a beautiful rail dividing the entry rooms. It’s a simple solution to dividing a space up without closing it in. Look around your house and imagine where your “work of art” can be installed, you won’t be disappointed and it will increase the value of your home too!
There seems to be resurgence in railings that are ornately designed and that display old world charm. A small wall opening can become a beautiful work of art given the correct railing panel design, a conversation piece and something to be admired by others. A simple railing can frame an entrance or add that missing touch to a completed room or outdoor space.
When it comes to purchasing just the right couch for your living room you choose something timeless and unique and a railing should be chosen with the same criteria in mind. A couch will be replaced but an iron railing will last forever so pick a design that you love and don’t be too concerned about the cost because it will pay for itself the minute you see the completed product.
Railings are not only for stairs but for patios and verandas too. They can divide a room without closing it in. Imagine walking into your foyer and seeing a beautiful rail dividing the entry rooms. It’s a simple solution to dividing a space up without closing it in. Look around your house and imagine where your “work of art” can be installed, you won’t be disappointed and it will increase the value of your home too!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)