I’m planning on putting up New Orleans French Quarter style wrought iron support columns and balusters on the porch of a house I’m going to build on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. My lot is on brackish water so corrosion issues are a factor. I don’t know if it’s my imagination but I’d swear that in the different show rooms I’ve been to I can tell the difference between painted aluminum and cast iron. In one show room I visited in Atlanta that really impressed me the owner (artist/sculptor from Italy) told he didn’t “powder coat” his work because that would make it look like plastic. He then casually admitted that all I’d have to do is “repaint or touch it up every it every 2 years.” So my question is this:
if I go with the old world, real stuff (wrought iron) instead of the plastic looking aluminum will I be making a big mistake or just a little mistake? Thanks for any advice or help anyone might have.
Edited 2/14/2007 8:28 am ET by bayouelton
Replies
How much do you mind maintenance?
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PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Some handyman stuff I enjoy. Touch up every 2 years wouldn't be too bad. Repainting the whole thing every other year would be a royal pain.
Repainting the whole thing every other year would be a royal pain.
Bingo!
My prejudice is decidedly against all maintenance, so that sounds like a nightmare to me. Unless, of course, you're one of the deep pockets folks who doesn't mind lots of company.
Some paints last considerably longer than others, but what you described doesn't sound good. Autobody?PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
I wanted to (had to) put up a 6ft fence around my yard because I installed a pool 5 years ago. Not wanting the maintenance that went with a wood fence, nor wanting the "Fort Apache" look, I wanted a wrought iron look.
My choices were plastic, wrought iron, powder coated steel or aluminum.
Because of the cost and the length of time I would be lookinng at it, I did considerable research.
Plastic was out. Period. To flexible, and I looked at 3-6 year old fences that were starting to show UV damage (chalking).
Of course every vendor said his was best. But I chose aluminum.
Wrought iron was costly and required constant maintenance. Me and my 3 neihbors weren't skilled enuf to keep our lawnmowers away from the fence and chipping the fence.
"Powder Coated" steel was sturdy, but the method of fence assembly required the installers to cut each piece to fit, which then left thousands of bare steel ends subject to corrosion.
Aluminum fit the bill perfectly. It won't corrode and if the paint is nicked it's easily touched up. I haven't had to do that yet in 5 years. Plus it looks great.
Not the same use as you are looking for but I thought I'd share my experience.
(Plus my neighbors both loved the fact that I paid to remove their wood sections adjoining properties and they love the no more maintenance on their part!!
Edited 2/14/2007 9:23 am ET by rwjiudice