This section of the website is meant for our colleagues in the architecture, building, and design trades, but anyone is, of course, welcome.
Materials
We work in the following materials:
Iron (mild steel)
Bronze / Brass
Stainless steel
Aluminum
Finishes for Iron
Paint: The best option for wrought iron that will be installed outdoors. Though black remains the most popular hue, the color options are many. Paint also comes in many levels of gloss, from flat to satin to semi-gloss to glossy. We at Jozef Custom Ironworks use a heavy-duty epoxy anti-rust primer (undercoat) for exterior applications.
Black Patina: This finish looks like black paint to the casual observer, but in fact no paint is involved. The surface is treated with a chemical that reacts with the metal, turning it black. This method is usually preferable to paint in interior applications because there is no layer of paint to obscure the textural beauty of forged iron. This finish is also typically less uniform and more natural than paint.
Brushed Metal: This look attempts to preserve the “natural,” silvery-gray look of iron. As the name implies, after assembly the iron is brushed, removing the dark “skin” and exposing the shiny metal underneath. Depending on the amount of brushing, the resulting finish can range from silvery to dark gray with some highlights. We usually apply a protective coat of wax or flat lacquer as a final step.
Rusty Patina: Like black patina, the rusty look involves chemically treating the metal’s surface, this time to produce a ruddy, rusty color. This finish is available in lighter and darker shades.
Bronze Patinas
We offer a range of classical patina finishes for our bronze products, ranging from light browns to deep coffee hues.
Natural Patination
It should be noted that outdoor installations of bronze may not require an applied patina as the material will naturally acquire a color of its own over time, usually over period of six to 12 months. The final hue will depend on the surrounding air’s chemistry, be it a deep brown in a woods or a blue/green at an ocean’s edge.
Incidentally, a patina is itself a protective shield around the metal, protecting the core from corrosion — making bronze a perfect metal for the seaside.
Technical Capabilities
We at Jozef Custom Ironworks have made significant investments in machinery and technology over the years. These investments translate into benefits to our clients and enable us to accommodate a variety of project needs, including:
A wide range of hammered textures
CNC machining capability for extreme precision and consistency
Ability to twist and bend long metal stock to precise arcs
Shop Drawings
We have the capability to produce shop drawings and can provide them to our clients upon request.
Bronze Castings
We are able to provide custom bronze castings such as rosettes, custom initials, coats of arms, finials, etc. to add a unique touch to your vision.