Architectural and ornamental metal fabrication

Architectural fabrication covers railings, stairs, gates, canopies, screens, and façade metal people see and touch.

Five-step flow diagram of a typical architectural metal fabrication job: Field measure, Shop drawings and approval, Fabricate, Finish, Deliver and install.

Materials and processes

Carbon steel that is galvanized or powder coated, stainless steel, aluminum, bronze, and weathering steel. Finish quality matters as much as strength.

Standards and certifications to know

Building code guards and handrails: the International Building Code sets guard and handrail requirements that local codes adopt.
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design: set handrail requirements for accessible routes.
AWS D1.1 and D1.6: structural welding codes for steel and stainless steel.

Questions to ask a shop

Can the shop produce shop drawings for architect approval?
Who handles finishing: in-house powder coat, outside galvanizer, or both?
Does the shop install, or only fabricate?
Can it show finished work similar in style and scale?

What drives cost

Design complexity, finish, field measuring, and installation usually cost more than raw material. Custom castings and curved work raise price.

Metros with strong local demand

Questions

What should I look for in a architectural metal fabricator?

Relevant certifications, finished work similar to yours, the right equipment, and clear documentation. Start with: Can the shop produce shop drawings for architect approval?

Where is architectural metal fabrication concentrated?

On this site, these metros have strong local demand: Phoenix, AZ, Atlanta, GA, Baltimore, MD, Charlotte, NC, Chicago, IL, Dallas, TX, Jacksonville, FL, Las Vegas, NV, Los Angeles, CA, Miami, FL, Boston, MA, New Orleans, LA, New York, NY, Philadelphia, PA, San Francisco Bay Area, CA, Seattle, WA, Tampa, FL, Nashville, TN, Washington, DC.