CA Contractors Lic #1015494
QUALITY WELDING FAQ
Why Quality Ornemental Iron Work for Gates & Fences?
To have a gate or fence last a lifetime, the difference in quality is directly related to the following:
1. Selection of Materials
The materials must be a minimum thickness of 1/8 of an inch in order to withstand corrosion that the gate will be exposed to over the course of its life without failing. The reason why is because, surface rust will develop at some point penetrating 1/16 of an inch in depth. You will need the material to be thicker than what the surface rust penetrates in order to avoid your gate or fence from collapsing. The 1/16th of an inch is half of the minimum required thickness used to avoid the complete rusting out of your gate or fence.
2. Proper Design
One aspect that proper design takes a key role in, is prevention of rust in the future. "Why" you may ask? When welding multiple tubes together, they will become sealed, much like an empty water bottle that is sealed while left in the hot sun, it develops condensation. Condensation over time will create a perfect enviroment for your fence or gate to rust from the inside out. How to avoid this? Proper design of where tubes are welded together in order to prevent the collection of condensation.
3.Quality of Weld
A quality weld will be uniform, pleasant to the eye, as well seal all the tubes. A weld without defects or holes will prevent excess water from collecting inside the tubes.
4. Powder Coating
Many people are unaware of the cost and importance involved in properly powder coating any metal item. To paint something properly is almost the same cost as powder coating. For being just slightly higher in cost than paint, powdercoating is more resistant to chipping, scratching, fading, and wearing than other finishes.
Why Quality Structural Steel?
The difference in quality is not always just in the fabrication or the quality of welding itself. With Structural Steel, in most cases, there is an inspector that checks the work so that the quality in fabrication and welding is there for the project to pass inspection, but what the inspector does not always check, or is not there to observe, would be safe working practices. For instance, cutting corners with improper rigging and craning of materials on a project or lifting a large steel beam without the proper equipment, may save the contractor cost in additonal labor and safety equipment but, this has the potential to take lives and cost the contractor and homeowner severe financial and project setbacks.