Pro Welds Blog about stainless steel and glass railings in Toronto

Factors to Consider When Buying Stainless Steel Railings

September 13, 2017 By adminPW

Stainless steel railings

With people keen to make their own property look as beautiful as possible before even thinking of moving to another one, it seems every feature of the home is coming in for scrutiny and improvement. A great way to improve the look of your home that you might not have thought of is railings. Stainless steel railings are a popular choice in many homes, so here’s what to consider if you’re going down that route.

Stainless Steel Railings – Factors to Consider Before Purchase

What Style Do You Want?

Fortunately enough, stainless steel railings tend to match with the outside appearance of any home, but the style of your railings is still important. Available in several styles, there are a few things to consider before purchasing, such as:

Square or circular beams?
Solid beams or cables?
Light and reflective or dark?
Patterned or plain?

You’ll know your property and your tastes better than anyone, so make sure you’re heading into the shop with a good idea of what you want, and don’t let the salesperson sell you something you don’t want or need.

All Steel – or Partial Steel?

In today’s world, it’s common to see a mix of styles coming together to make one railing. Whether it’s wooden posts with stainless steel railing cables or a mixture of steel and glass, that choice is up to you – but be careful. Whilst it has the potential to look great, if done poorly it can be quite an eyesore, so tread carefully if this is something you’re thinking of doing, and make sure you get a second opinion.

Security, Practically or Aesthetics?

Depending on the intended use of your railings, you might want to approach the design of them a little differently. If you’re buying them as an added security feature or deterrent, then you may want to consider a taller or more solid railing design. If you want them to be practical, such as for a hand rail accompanying stairs, then you’re going to want to make sure that the top of the railing is at least comfortable to grip. If the appearance is all you’re worried about, then that comes down to individual taste.

Do You Want Privacy?

If you want to keep a high level of privacy in your home, then you’re want to have either a solid or thicker-barred railing in your home. Whilst they look good, cables won’t do much to keep nosy neighbours from peaking in.

Can You Install them Yourself?

If you’re a contractor or handy with DIY, then self-installation is a great way to save money. However, if it’s out of your skill level, then you’d be better off leaving it for professionals.

A Great Product – If Well Thought Out

Stainless steel railings are a great product, but only if they are thoroughly considered and thought out before buying. Don’t run the risk of buying something you don’t like or that doesn’t work how you wanted it to – make sure to do your homework first.

Things to Consider When Choosing Wrought Iron Railings

June 29, 2013 By adminPW

Wrought iron railings are a very popular product, particularly amongst homeowners who want that sophisticated, individualized touch for their homes. At Pro Weld we have been fabricating wrought iron railings for over two decades, and have technical and design expertise that is unmatched in the industry. We are proud to serve communities all over the Greater Toronto Area, from Burlington and Oakville to Newmarket and Aurora.

Perhaps you have already made the decision to replace your old, uninspired railings with new wrought iron ones, or perhaps you are moving into a new place and finally have the chance to implement your very own design. Either way, there are a number of important factors to keep in mind when making an investment such as this one. Wrought iron railings are already an excellent choice; our hope is that this informative article will be useful and help guide your decision in the best direction possible.

Budget & Goals

Before embarking on any project, it is always best to get at least two things clear at the beginning: How much do you want to spend on the project? Further, what exactly do you want to achieve with this investment? Too many times, people will dream big and conceive plans that are far too elaborate, only to discover that the project will completely exceed their financial means. It is not that we do not encourage clients and potential clients to dream big; often with sound advice and efficient planning a lot can be accomplished within a modest budget.

This is why it helps, when planning for your new wrought iron railings, to know upfront exactly how much you are willing to spend, first and foremost. Then, once you come up with your immediate goals and requirements, you can consult with experts like Pro Weld who will help you figure out the best way to achieve those goals with the financial resources you have available. Some of those goals will involve specific details of the project, which we are going to talk about in the following section.

Materials & Design

Wrought iron railings serve, primarily, at least one clear purpose – safety. If you work with a reliable, trustworthy fabricator like Pro Weld, the safety function and security of your railings will be assured. What else do you hope to achieve, beyond that? Are your new railings an integral part of a home renovation? Would you like your wrought iron railings to really stand out and make a beautiful statement all on their own, or would you like them to blend perfectly into the décor of the rest of your home? What was less-than-ideal about your old railings, that you would like to change with their replacements?

Depending on the answers to these questions, you can then proceed to make important decisions regarding the materials and design. Wrought iron can of course be used on its own to create a huge variety of inspired designs, but you may also be interested in having wrought iron railings combined with other materials such as glass, in order to create an alternative visual signature.

Furthermore, what type of style and designs inspire you? This is of course a crucial factor; are you looking for something contemporary or classic, intricate or simple, abstract or floral? Consider carefully also, how your new wrought iron railings will complement and fit into the rest of your home. It is especially wise to compare the potential design(s) with existing fixtures such as fences, gates, doors, and lighting.

Find Professional Specialists in Wrought Iron Railings

If you had not already begun to do so before this point, now is the time to find the right professionals to handle the job. The worst thing you could do would be to come up with the perfect plan and budget, only to have your investment go to waste by an unskilled laborer doing a bad job. How do you go about finding quality professional welders to bring your ideas to life?

There are a number of things that you should check off the list when looking for professional metalworkers. First of all, try to get recommendations from people that you know – friends, family, and colleagues. This way you will get to hear about their experience and their satisfaction with the results, first-hand. Find out how they felt about the whole process and the final outcome. Were the company and workers pleasant and easy to work with? Were they meticulous, and did they clean up after themselves? Inspect your friend’s finished wrought iron railings, if at all possible.

You will also want to make sure that the company is fully licensed to operate, bonded, and insured. Affiliation with professional associations in the industry is also a good sign. How many years of experience in the business do they have? Can they give you a set timeline, or are they working on too many projects at once? It is also important to ask to see examples of their previous work; if they are reluctant to provide references that is probably a sign that you should start looking elsewhere for a quality welder.

The Welding Experts

If you are serious about finding a quality metalworker to fabricate your wrought iron railings, consider consulting with Pro Weld. With our extensive experience in the industry, we are the experts when it comes to stainless steel railings, wrought iron railings, and custom steelwork design, welding, and fabrication.

At Pro Weld we are committed to quality from start to finish. This means that we pay close attention to detail at each stage of the process and work with care – from the initial consulting, planning, and design stages, to the fabrication, installation, finishing, and clean up. If you choose to work with Pro Weld, our experts will collaborate closely with you to ensure that the outcome of the project will meet your goals. Our clients always come first, and this is how we have built an incredibly successful business over the years; by simply providing quality products and excellent customer service. Give us a call today to set up a consultation.

We sell wrought iron railings in the greater Toronto area. Call (905)-669-8633

The Five Best Things About Glass Railings

June 28, 2013 By adminPW

Perhaps you are shopping around for new railings, and are weighing the pros and cons of the various options available. Do you need interior or exterior railings for your new home, new deck, or for a commercial building? No matter what the purpose, if you are aiming for a clean, contemporary look that opens up the space, then glass railings are an ideal choice.

Pro Weld has been a leading provider of glass railings, stainless steel railings, and custom steelwork and fabrication in the Greater Toronto Area for the past two decades. If you would like professional advice and information from experts in the business, do call us to speak to one of our experts. In the meantime, we have compiled some of the key reasons why we highly recommend glass railings to many of our clients.

So Much More Than a Railing

Why are glass railings proving so popular these days? Perhaps you have noticed the topless clear glass framing your neighbour’s deck, or a stylish stairway in your brother’s new home. If the glass railings you saw have captured your imagination, read on! Here are some of the reasons why we are proud to manufacture and install quality glass railings.

A clean, contemporary aesthetic: Oftentimes, well-designed glass railings function as so much more than just railings. Besides having a safety function, glass can add so much beauty to a room, creating space and sight lines where there were none before. The presence of glass panels lends a clean, light aesthetic to any room, creating a truly sophisticated, contemporary ambiance.
home with a view: Glass panels really shine when placed in an outdoor setting. We are, of course, referring to glass railings that are installed on balconies or decks. The worst thing that can happen is for you to purchase a home with a wonderful view, only to realize that most of that view gets obstructed when you are inside your home, or even when you are sitting on your deck. It does not make much sense to have breathtaking scenery in sight, but to only be able to fully appreciate it while standing up and looking over your railings. In cases like these, glass works wonders to bring you that much closer to the outdoors. Topless glass railings, in particular, provide a truly unobstructed viewing experience.
Lots of design and privacy options: There are many options available when it comes to glass railings. The common choices of glass that we have available include clear, tempered, textured, tinted, and privacy glass. Posts and frames are available in a wide selection of colours, and you have a choice between several high-quality materials, including stainless steel, wrought iron, and mild steel. At Pro Weld our designers will work closely with you to ensure that we will achieve the exact style, look, and feel that you want. We are committed to meeting your goals and requirements, and are always happy to customize our work and create designs in collaboration with our clients.
Durable & easy to maintain: Glass railings require no further finishing beyond the fabrication and installation process. You will never need to perform a repainting, re-staining, or re-finishing job of any kind on them. They are ready to go “as is”, and will remain that way. Therefore practically zero maintenance is required for these railings, which stands in stark comparison to traditional wood railings, for example. Only the occasional cleaning might be necessary, but in this case nothing complicated would be required beyond a regular glass cleaner and a good quality cloth. Glass is also a material known for its durability. You will never need to worry about rotting, peeling paint, splinters, or cracks as you would with wood railings. Even quality hardwood railings are sometimes subject to cracking that can affect their appearance. With glass, unless your railings are subjected to severe impact, well-fabricated glass panels will easily last you for decades.
Adds value and quality to your home: If you are interested in making a change and investment that will actually add long-term value to your home, glass railings are an excellent choice. They add significant aesthetic and practical value to the home, and the unobstructed views that these railings provide also add to the “wow” factor when interviewing potential buyers. In the case that you are a homeowner who might be looking to sell at some point in the future, quality railings like these are an investment that you cannot go wrong with. These railings will serve you well for a long time, and when the time comes to sell you should achieve a nice return on your investment.

The Glass Railings Experts

Whether you live in Toronto, North York, Markham, Hamilton, Mississauga, Ajax, Aurora, Oakville, Brampton, or any other community in the Greater Toronto Area, you can come to Pro Weld with your railing and custom steelwork requests. Our company has extensive professional experience that covers all types of general and specialty welding, and we work to exacting standards when it comes to design and fabrication. The quality glass railings that we design and manufacture are only a fraction of what our company has to offer, so even if glass railings are not the right choice for you, it would be wise to call us and find out what the best solution is for your home or office needs.

Pro Weld is a member of CWB, the Canadian Welding Bureau, so you can rest assured that we always meet or beat high professional standards in the industry. All of our engineers are trained and certified, and will only provide you with the best products and service, with a smile! We are known for our outstanding customer service – you would only have to take a look at our reviews and ratings on Homestars, the independent review website, to see what our previous clients have to say about their experience of working with us. We guarantee quality and excellence where it counts.

Proweld has the #1 glass railings in Toronto

The Benefits of Hiring a Mobile Welder

June 24, 2013 By adminPW

Mobile welding is a highly sought after service that brings all the elements traditional welding has to offer to your doorstep. This relatively modern service builds on the time-honoured principle of “the customer comes first.” Mobile welding companies acknowledge that most working professionals these days simply do not have the time to seek out services the way people used to, so much like other mobile services, mobile welding caters to this need for faster, more efficient service.

Pro Weld has been offering its fabrication and mobile welding services to the Greater Toronto Area since 1990. That represents over twenty years of hard work, knowledge, and experience gained in the industry. Our mobile welders offer a complete range of services, and are fully equipped to cater to service requests and projects in residential, commercial, or industrial areas.

Mobile Welding: The Simple, Convenient Choice

What are some of the benefits of hiring a mobile welder? Well, to start with, here is a question you should ask yourself: Do you already have a welder that you can rely upon? If you do, ask yourself if you could save some time and money by trying out a mobile welding service. And if you don’t, why not give a mobile welder a shot? Read on for some of the reasons why we provide and support this particular type of service. Mobile knowledge and experience + innovation.

Mobile welding is exactly what it sounds like: a welding service, but one that is mobile rather than based in a specific location. Our mobile welders bring the same amount of knowledge and experience with them as any regular welders would, and additionally bring many innovative skills and the latest technology to the job.
A complete, diverse range of services. Mobile welding services typically include Mig, Tig, and Arc welding, fabrication, repairs to fences, railings, grilles, and gates, repairs to cars, wheel repairs, and heavy equipment repairs. In addition, Pro Weld’s mobile welding service also tackles projects in the construction, aero, and marine industries. We are equipped to work with all kinds of metal; most commonly we handle projects involving stainless steel, mild steel, cast iron, and aluminum.
Service at your doorstep. Mobile welders basically offer you the best of both worlds – all the skills and expertise you need and more, right where you need it. There will be no need for you to go to a welder, instead they will gladly come to your home or business as required. After all, it is part of the service!
Tailored to meet your needs. Every single thing about our mobile welding service is tailored to meet the customer’s needs – your needs. Mobile welders are trained to be versatile, precise, and efficient at what they do and how they address problems and develop solutions. There is no problem too big or small for our mobile welders to handle; plus, everything will be taken care of with your comfort and convenience kept as a top priority. Our goal is always to provide expert service that meets our customer’s exact requirements.
A job done immediately; no waiting for weeks! When you decide to rely upon a mobile welding service, you will never need to worry about leaving something at the shop to get fixed, only to have to pick it up a few days or even a few weeks later (not to mention delays and unmet deadlines). The difference is obvious: if you request the services of a mobile welder, the job is going to get done on the spot. You can easily reduce the amount of stress and inconvenience that a job or project may cause, by opting to use a mobile welder’s services.
Avoid hidden costs. Do not get caught by surprise with hidden costs at the end of a job. If you use a mobile welder you can easily prevent this by asking for a quotation on the phone, before you commit to paying for a service. When the welder arrives you can even request a written quotation. This way of going about things will save you time and money; it may be a matter of a few phone calls, as compared to driving around town to several different locations in order to compare quotes.
Flexible schedules, greater convenience. Mobile welders often have more flexible schedules, which, again, will probably end up helping you save time. You will be able to schedule an appointment at your convenience, and save on the time it would take for you to go there – instead the service will come to you.
Custom welding and fabrication work on-site. Since our Pro Weld mobile welders provide a complete range of services, this also means that custom fabrication and welding work can be done on-site. Would you like to discuss a design idea for your new railings, but do not have the time to visit our workshop? Not to worry, the same job can be planned and accomplished on location.

Try Pro Weld Today

Ultimately, by hiring a mobile welding service like Pro Weld you will save yourself a significant amount of time and money, while getting the very same quality service and products as you would if you were to use a traditional welder. You will simply make your life so much easier, especially once you have found a mobile welder that you can rely on at any time.

Pro Weld is a licensed, certified and insured mobile welder. The quality of our custom welding, fabrication, and steelwork reflects the decades of experience that we have in the industry. We offer competitive rates, and top quality products and service. We excel at meeting our customers’ immediate needs, and can also be relied on for our ongoing customer support. No matter if the job is large or small, Pro Weld will handle it, and handle it well.

We are a certified member of the Canadian Welding Bureau, and we guarantee you that our work meets all the highest professional standards possible. If you need a mobile welder, do not hesitate to give us a call today.

Looking for a mobile welder in Toronto? Call (905)-669-8633

Seven Facts About Stainless Steel Railings

June 21, 2013 By adminPW

an ornate stainless steel railing in toronto Whether you need new stainless steel railings for your home or office, Pro Weld is the Toronto company to come to. We have over twenty years of experience in the custom steel welding and manufacturing business, and are proud to serve clients all over the Greater Toronto Area.

Why stainless steel? We also manufacture and install railings made of wrought iron, glass, aluminum, cast iron, and mild steel. Each material, of course, has its own unique qualities and is better suited to some applications more than others. At Pro Weld we are committed to providing all our clients with honest, accurate information with which you can make informed decisions and investments. The following are seven key facts about stainless steel railings.

Stainless Steel Railings: Facts and More

Stainless steel is actually a generic term for a range of alloy steels, all of which are corrosion-resistant. They all contain at least 10.5% chromium. The composition of stainless steel railings results in the formation of a chromium-rich oxide film on the material’s surface – it is this passive layer, in fact, that provides stainless steel with its resistance against a wide range of corrosive agents. Furthermore, this thin film is self-repairing; the presence of oxygen in the air enables it to continually restore itself after scratches, abrasions, cutting, and other minor damage.
There are over a hundred and fifty grades of stainless steel; the alloys’ compositions differ depending on their intended final application. Therefore, it is important to purchase stainless steel railings from a reputable Toronto manufacturer, in order to ensure that you get high-quality stainless steel that is of the ideal grade for its given purpose. Often more than one grade of stainless steel will be available, so ensure that you find out as much information as possible during your initial consultations; this will enable you to make a good decision.
Stainless steel railings are known for their incredibly high tensile strength, plus their long-term durability. They are weather and corrosion-resistant, practically rust-proof, and ultimately very affordable, given their long life span. The strength and durability of stainless steel is the reason why the material is used for such a wide variety of applications, including railings, home appliances, cutlery, architectural design, bridges, surgical instruments, and industrial equipment, just to name a few.
In addition to its strength and other technical properties, stainless steel is also a material of choice due to its aesthetic qualities. First of all, if you choose stainless steel railings, you know that they will always look clean and polished. Secondly, being very malleable, the material allows for a huge range of design options when it comes to creating and manufacturing stainless steel railings – no matter whether they are for home use, industrial use, or commercial use. If you come to Pro Weld, our engineers and designers will work closely with you to achieve the precise style that you want – whether you are interested in a look that is contemporary or classic, or one that incorporates intricate patterns or clean lines – just name it and we will help make it happen.
One of the huge pluses of stainless steel railings is that they are entirely easy to maintain and keep clean. This fact is the reason why stainless steel is used so often in hospital and kitchen environments, and in pharmaceutical and food processing facilities. The same thin film on stainless steel that keeps rust at bay, also renders it impermeable. Basic cleaning can be accomplished by simply using water and a soft cloth, although you should make sure to properly dry your railings to prevent water spots; certain minerals left by the water may leave marks on the railings. If necessary, soap or a glass cleaner may be used to get rid of tougher dirt and stains. Finally, if your railings get particularly worn, scratched, or stained, a specialized stainless steel cleaner may be necessary – but this situation is rather unusual.
Customers often ask us if stainless steel railings are an environmentally-friendly choice. Well, the answer to that is a resounding “yes”. How so? Firstly, stainless steel production today incorporates a high percentage of scrap metal (at least 50%). Furthermore, stainless steel itself is 100% recyclable. Many of the stainless steel products that we are using today have previously been a part of other great stainless steel items in the past. Today, while there is a very high rate of stainless steel being recycled, some of it still inadvertently ends up in landfills. In the event of this happening, the steel has no negative effect on the soil, emitting no toxins or other harmful substances.
In coastal environments, stainless steel railings are sometimes subject to a phenomenon called “tea staining”. Tea staining generally happens only within a few kilometers of the waterfront, imparting the steel with a brownish discoloration. Fortunately this phenomenon does nothing to affect the strength and durability of the material, nor its structural integrity. Smoother surfaces are less prone to tea staining, and professional design and craftsmanship will also minimize the risk of staining (e.g. smooth, professionally-welded joints, and no unfortunate cracks or crevices that might hold water.)
The adaptability of stainless steel is not limited to the material itself – in terms of architectural design, stainless steel railings can be fabricated in combination with other high-quality materials. This makes available an even wider range of hybrid, contemporary design options. Options like glass inserts, bars, or cable systems can be utilized, each of these creating an entirely unique look and feel in your space.

Pro Weld: Professionalism and Quality

Pro Weld is committed to quality in everything that we do – from our materials and manufacturing to our designs, installations, and customer service, we only provide our clients with the best. All our products meet or exceed professional standards, and we are a member of the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB). This means that we have certified supervisors on hand at all times, and that all our projects meet extremely strict standards and guidelines. If you would like to find out more about our stainless steel railings or the other products that we offer, give us a call today! We are also happy to provide you with free quotes upon request.

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