Important Info
Aluminum Lacework
Central Foundry’s focus for many years has been concentrated purely on the moulding and casting process. Therefore it is important for the customer to know that we are purely the suppliers of a product only. We are not structural engineers, fabricators, colour consultants or heritage specialists and do not have sales reps on the road to come and measure up for you. This is why we suggest you use a qualified builder/carpenter/installer to manage your project if you do not feel you can manage this yourself.
Please read the following important info as it may answer some of the questions you might have.
Aluminium Lacework
Our entire range is cast in aluminium instead of cast iron. They look exactly the same as the old cast iron panels however have all the benefits of aluminium. Please see our FAQ page for more details about why we use aluminium instead of cast iron.
Our sand moulds are made directly from Sydney and England’s historic panels. These moulds are then cast with molten aluminium to create identical replicas of the originals.
If you need to match a pattern that is not in our standard range just bring in a whole/complete piece and we can produce one for you.
Installation
Central Foundry DO NOT INSTALL or organise installation. We do not fabricate or weld lacework into solid frames.
For detailed information on installation please see our INSTALLATION INFO
If you require installation we recommend Paddington Lace paddingtonlace.com.au. Paddington Lace is a builder that specialises in terrace house facade restorations and can provide a complete supply and install service.
Fabrication And Installation
Alternatively, you could source a local fabricator who can measure up and quote you directly. We would recommend Bruno from Ace Ironmasters who purchase the product from us and then fabricates them to your requirements. Bruno will also organise the painting and installation. He can be contacted at 0405080258 or emailed at brunoaneiva@hotmail.com, Bruno’s website is aceironmasters.com.au.
INSTALLATION GUIDE AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Imperfections
Central Foundry’s lacework range is made directly from the original Victorian patterns and therefore inherit many of the imperfections that can occur during the moulding and casting process. Some of these include
Sharp Edges
Slight bowing or mis-alignments between panels and frieze
Sand inclusions or dross
These imperfections however are small and are considered part of the character of traditional lacework.
Quoting And Ordering Process
To provide you with an accurate quote we require the following details
Balcony width (or individual measurements of each span between posts if there are multiple openings). Ideally, we like to see a rough sketch with dimensions and layout.
Pattern Code – (when looking on website please refer to Panel number, Frieze number etc)
If you do not know the pattern number or cannot see what you want on the website and are trying to match an existing panel please take a photo of the panel you are after and email it to mark@centralfoundry.com.au.
Decide whether you want your order powder-coated and in what colour. Please see our POWDERCOATING PAGE for more info.
Once all details have been received Sean will email you a quote and upon acceptance of this quote a 50% deposit and confirmation of measurements is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Our entire lacework range is cast in aluminium instead of the traditional cast iron. The benefits of aluminium include
It will not rust like cast iron
It is less than half the weight of cast iron
It is less fragile and brittle than cast iron
It is more user-friendly with regards to drilling, screws, rivets, welding and powdercoating.
Contrary to popular belief, the cast aluminium panels look exactly the same as the cast iron panels and are identical replicas of the originals.
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Central Foundry DO NOT install or organise installation. Also note that panels are sold as an individual item and we do not fabricate or weld them into solid frames. Please click here for important information regarding installation.
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Sand Cast panels are made using a sand mould which are then cast with molten aluminium. They are more traditional looking and much thicker than the lightweight die cast panels. All sand cast panels are single sided which is how they were traditionally made.
Die cast panels are made using a die machine. They are a lot lighter than the traditional sand cast panels and are also slightly cheaper due many more being able to be made at one time. Die cast panels are double sided which means they are the same front and back but are viewed as being less traditional looking.
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This is probably our most frequently asked question so we have come up with a guide on the average cost of panels, corners and friezes.
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You would be surprised at the number of patterns we have for different lacework styles however in the rare event that w don’t have what you are after we can make an exact replica using one of the existing panels you are trying to match.
