Custom Iron Connection

Here's what you'll find in this edition of the CI Connection:

•Letter from the President: Steel Price Increase

•Tips + Tools - Top Bar Panels: a salesman's experience

CUSTOM IRON SHOWS OFF

Custom Iron has been chosen to participate in the Not So Big Showhouse in Orlando in January 2005 in conjunction with the NAHB show. Our spiral stair and metal panels will be featured in this home designed by renowned architect, Sarah Susanka, and built by Bradford Building Corp. For more information, go to www.notsobighouse.com.

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT: Steel Price Increase

After weathering several sharp cost increases, Custom Iron announced an increase in our spiral and freight prices June 30, 2004. Understandably, some of our customers were not very happy about that. No one wants to pay higher prices. Custom Iron has been paying higher steel prices and freight costs for over a year. It has been almost four years since we increased any product prices. Steel prices seem to be stabilizing, but at a much higher price than one year ago. We have been and continue to do our best to increase efficiency and productivity to offset cost increases from our steel vendors and freight carriers. Just like you, we are committed to offering product value at fair prices. Just like you, we need to have more revenue than we do expenses in order to stay in business. I hope that together we can survive and soon thrive in this economic climate.

For articles and info about steel pricing:
http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/steel2_20040402.htm
http://www.postgazette.com/pg/04046/273262.stm
http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040602/NEWS/406020379/1039

You can also go to any search engine on the Internet and search for “steel price increase” for more information.


Faux Finishes
When we say “faux finishes” we are referring to paint finishes that give the illusion of aged brass, or rusted iron, or even some kind of granite. Most often this type of finish requires two or more paint colors: a solid basecoat color and a different topcoat color and application. The simplest topcoat would be an overspray in a color either subtly or dramatically different from the base coat. Several of our Artifact series finishes use a drip application for the topcoat. Another application technique for the topcoat would be to hand-apply a second paint color with a sponge, rag, or brush. Each hand-applied method produces a slightly different appearance to the final product.

Several factors affect the final appearance of a faux finish:
	•	Choice of colors and level of contrast between base and top coat colors
	•	The type of product on which applied (straight smooth vs. chiseled scroll)
	•	Application method and coverage density for topcoat color

Things to consider:
	•	All faux finishes have a random appearance overall and will vary between individual jobs
	•	Most of the faux finishes will not be suitable for exterior applications
	•	Touch-up is more complicated when you have more than one paint

Top Bar Panels: a salesman's experience

Being a salesman by trade, one would not expect me to be much of an installation “expert”. Recently, I proved that it would be easy to pass myself off as a “qualified installer”, thanks to Custom Iron's Top Bar product. I personally installed the metal balustrade on one of the stair systems in a 4 million dollar home in West Virginia. Not only were the trim carpenters on the job impressed, I actually surprised myself!

With basic carpentry skills and the ability to follow simple instructions, Top Bar can save you a tremendous amount of time installing metal balusters. With one panel, you are actually installing 5-10 balusters at a time. One of the big problems new customers have about using metal balusters is fear of the unknown. Customers with wood stair system experience worry about how they will cut all the metal to length, the mess caused by grinding on the job-site, the painting on site, etc.

With Custom Iron's Top-Bar panels there is NO cutting to length, no grinding required, and since you can order these panels with a finish paint surface applied, there is only minimal touch-up painting required. These time-saving panels have been custom made to your run and rise measurements and set at exactly your specified, finished rail height. It couldn’t get much easier! Furnished with your product are precision paper templates that show exactly where to drill your holes into the treads and landing tread. Once you have your patterns laid out, you simply drill into the treads to a specified depth, attach the metal shoes/bases, and begin setting your panels into place. Custom Iron even offers the epoxy adhesive and the two-part mixing gun to install it. Once your panels are plumbed into position, and the quick dry epoxy is set, you are ready to install your cap-rail.

If a salesman can do it, just think how easy it will be for you!

Brad Rippel

This is where we showcase installed creative metal. If you have Custom Iron metal balusters, panels, or a stair you're particularly proud of, send us a picture and we'll feature it in an upcoming Custom Iron Connection. If we made a spiral or curving stair and it looks fabulous in your setting, send us a picture of it! You'll get credit for the stair (if you choose), some “press” and a chance to showcase what you do. Let us show what Custom Iron and you can do together. Send digital pictures to jq@customiron.com. Send prints to Julie Quinn, Custom Iron, 400 1st Street East, Zumbrota, MN 55992.

		Above: An amazing view of Cape Cod from this Custom Iron D-100 "Old Faithful" spiral.

	pul-chri-tude noun Great physical beauty and appeal. Custom Iron spiral stairs are admired for their pulchritude.