Designing-

• Hoods

Kitchen hoods fall into 2 categories, wall/canopy and island. A custom hood can be a visual centerpiece. Like adding fresh cut flowers to brighten a room, adding functional art to a room captures the eye and becomes the focal point.

The physical dimension of the hood can vary. Distance from the cook top is important for air removal. I like to go no higher that 72 inches.

Hood inserts are the filter, lights and switch packages supplied by many different manufacturers. There is usually your choice of a fan located in the insert, remotely installed at the end of the exhaust ductwork or an inline blower.

• Fireplace

Fireplace panels, mantels and doors made from metal have many design advantages being that they are non combustible. Support backing is important here because often there are voids behind the walls for flu venting and fire codes.

Fireplace surrounds often cover large areas and metal seams need to be designed and planned on. Copper sheet comes in 3 foot wide while stainless steel can be special ordered at 5 foot wide. There are multiple seam options from lapped, straps and formed.

Mantels fabricated from metal have the advantage over wood of being installed closer to the fire box and can protrude further out from the wall.

Local buildings codes should be followed.

• Countertops

Countertops made from metal have always been a beautiful and clean material. Their down fall has been that they scratch. A brushed finish stainless steel top can scratch easier that other metals. Copper that has been patinaed and distressed is what I would called "pre scratched". The patina is alive and when the color has been accidentally removed, natural oxidation brings the bright area back to the patina color. Copper is a safe choice and remember we drink from copper plumbing.

Volcanic Stainless Steel is a great choice also because the color treatment blends any surface scratches. The metal can be given a slight sanded distressing before coloring to help blend future surface scratches.

Countertops need a substrate for installation.

• Gates

Ordering-

Shipping-