PATINAS

Our expert finishers have decades of combined expertise therefore if variations occcur naturally - as for any sensitive handmade process - they nevertheless manage to deliver a quality finish.

Our signature patinas have been perfected over the years: patinas are extremely sensitive to heat and moisture and are a challenge to apply uniformely and consistently.

These Patinas have been laboriously developped over the years. Great to accent a vintage aspect of a piece or replicate the soul and depth of it, translated into a new design.

Years of experience has enabled our Master finishers to be able to control a process known for its imstability and extreme sensitivity to heat and moisture variations. Although there could be slight inconsistencies due to the hand made nature of the finish, we can deliver a beautiful uniform finish every time.

WOOD SPECIES AND FINISHES

Wood is one of the most commonly used materials in the world, and almost any type of wood can be used to build furniture. Each type of wood has its own unique characteristics, which in turn can add different degrees of warmth, emphasis and beauty to its surrounding decor.

We’ve put together this handy guide to help you choose which type of wood is right for your furniture. With our guide we’ll give you the low down on some of the most popular wood types available and explain their different characteristics as well as the differences between hard and softwood, grains and colour.

We also clear up any fears you may have over Medium Density Fibreboard, how common it is, and we explain how a veneer can give any piece of furniture that expensive finishing look.

HARDWOOD VS. SOFTWOOD

Hardwoods come from broad-leaved trees (deciduous trees that drop their leaves every year and produce seeds) whereas softwoods come from conifer trees (trees that have needles and do notproduce seeds).

Hardwood trees are very slow growing trees compared to softwood trees, this tends to make them produce dense wood. Items made from hardwoods are more likely to withstand years of wear and tear. However not all hardwoods are always hard, poplar and basswood are examples of these.

Hard woods are usually much darker in colour and soft woods are usually lighter.

Hardwood is commonly more expensive than softwood, however both are extremely popular within the furniture industry.

POWDERCOAT COLORS

Select from our standard color palette, or any semi-custom from the complete RALchart.

A lot of designers reference the PANTONE color reference system (although designed for inks) therefore we listed the PANTONE as well as the corresponding RAL color: In colloquial speech RAL refers to the RAL Classic system, mainly used for referencing colors for varnish and powder coating .

Why is Powdercoating Superior?

Powder Coating is an advanced method of applying a decorative and protective finish to virtually any type of metal that can be used both by industry and consumers. The powder used in the process is a mixture of finely ground particles of pigment and resin, which is electrostatically sprayed onto the surface to be coated. The charged powder particles adhere to the electrically grounded surfaces until the powder is heated and fused into a smooth coating in the curing oven. The result is a uniform, durable, high quality and attractive finish. Powder coating is the fastest growing finishing technology in North America, representing over 10% of all industrial finishing applications.

Powder Coating is more durable: it provides consumers, businesses, and industries one of the most economical, longest lasting, and most color-durable quality finishes available on virtually any type of metal. Powder coated surfaces are more resistant to chipping, scratching, fading, and wearing than other finishes. Color selection is virtually unlimited with flat, satin, gloss, high gloss, metallic, candies, clear, iridescent, fluorescent, wrinkle, hammer tone, and glitter finishes available. Colors stay bright and vibrant longer. Texture selections range from smooth surfaces to wrinkled or matte finishes, and rough textures designed for hiding surface imperfections.

Powder Coating is the most eco-friendly process available. Highly protective of our environment. While liquid finishes contain solvents which have pollutants known as volatile organic compounds (VOC's), powder coating contains no solvents and release negligible amounts, if any, VOC's into the atmosphere. Therefore, there is no longer a need for finishers to buy and maintain costly pollution control equipment.

Thousands of products and parts are currently powder coated from appliances to automotive parts, gym equipment to street signage. Look around you. What is metal is probably powdercoated.

STANDARD COLORS

UPHOLSTERY

FABRICS

VINYL

A great cost effective and utilitarian option. Vinyls do not stretch or stain. A large selection is available.

We use Automotive grade vinyls as our standards. Offering the colors corresponding to the different decades of classic cars upholstery as a timeless reminder.

Do not use alcohol based products to clean vinyls.

Vinyl is a faux leather fabric that is made from plastic. Like leather, it is extremely durable and is easy to care for. Vinyl also comes in a wide color range, which can suit any of your needs. It is also less expensive than leather, but the pricing of vinyl is dependent on its quality.

Because vinyl comes in a large variety of colors, vinyl products can be used anywhere. Brighter vinyl products can be used for kid’s rooms and schools, while darker products can be used for cafés and restaurants. Vinyl can be considered superior to leather for restaurants and bars because it is cheaper and compliments the décor of any room. The choices for vinyls have become virtually endless. Because of the versatile nature of the material, there is an endless amount of choices of its colors, patterns and textures. There are even vinyls that are made to look similar to fabrics and exotic leathers.

LEATHER

Distressed, smooth, with or no grain, etc.. etc...remember the texture of the material will also help convey a sense of the piece being more authentic/vintage, modern, traditional, transitional, etc...

C.O.M. (Customer Own Material) is welcome at no extra cost.

Leather is one of the most durable materials used for upholstery and is very easy to clean. It can be lightly vacuumed or wiped with a damp cloth. It comes in a variety of colors and is able to withstand wear. Leather products also age very well, creating distinct characteristics that cannot be replicated by any other material. However, leather is extremely pricey as good quality leather can be very expensive. Leather is also made from animal hides, which may make some people uncomfortable.

It is highly recommended to use leather for a restaurant. Restaurants going for a robust look should highly consider leather as upholstery for booths and seats as it will create an atmosphere that is similar to those of classic parlors and pubs. Because leather products provide such a luxurious yet rustic look, leather products are also the perfect accents to any surrounding.

Most real leathers come in a sheet of roughly 20 sqft . And because the materials do not come in large rolls like vinyl and fabric, it becomes harder to use for upholstery and some of the material will be wasted.

How thick is leather?

Weight in ounces (oz) / thickness in millimeters (mm)**

GLASS FOR TOPS, DOORS AND ARCHITECTURE

Standards are here listed but we can also provide any specialty glass, additional glass colors, antique mirror options, etched and textured patterns, etc...

Standard thicknesses unless otherwise requested or structurally needed:

-1/4": Furniture doors, tops resting on a solid surface. $

-3/8". Available for above, as well as necessary for tops not fully supported by a solid surface. More limited decorative options. $$

-1/2". Available for above, sometimes necessary in larger glass top applications (Ie: tables versus coffee tables-typically of smaller scale). More limited decorative options. $$$

-5/8" & 3/4". Available for above, sometimes necessary in larger glass top applications (Ie: large scale dining/conference tables or for esthetics, when a thick glass is part of the design Very limited decorative options. $$$$$

Constant technological advances always stretch the imaginable in terms of design and properties.We offer a varied range of glass options, yet make sure to request any you might need not listed here.Our custom offering has virtually no limit.

You can make glass by heating ordinary sand (which is mostly made of silicon dioxide) until it melts and turns into a liquid. You won't find that happening on your local beach: sand melts at the incredibly high temperature of 1700°C (3090°F)... as some of you might be wondering.

More Glass information to help you in your selection is provided below.

What is annealed glass? What is annealing?

Annealing is the controlled cooling of glass during the manufacturing process. It is the first level of architectural glass production. The process prevents residual stress in the glass, allowing it to be easily handled and processed.

Annealed glass is not as strong as tempered or heat-strengthened glass of the same thickness, and breaks into large shards. It is not safety glass.

WHAT IS SAFETY GLASS?

Safety glass is tempered glass (also referred to as “toughened” or “fully tempered” glass) and/or laminated glass that meets the requirements for ANSI Z97.1 and the federal safety standard CPSC 16 CFR Part 1201 (Consumer Product Safety Commission Safety Standard for Architectural Glazing Materials).

Glass is a breakable material. If it breaks into sharp pieces, or shards, it can injure people and pets. Safety glass improves occupant safety and well-being by significantly reducing this risk. In the case of tempered glass, if broken, it exhibits a characteristic “dice” break pattern of many small pieces that minimize the risk of injury. In the case of laminated glass, if broken, it remains in place, held together by the plastic or resin interlayer at its core.

What is laminated glass? Is it safety glass?

Laminated glass is a safety glass that contains two or more glass lites permanently bonded together with one or more PVB, EVA, or liquid resin interlayers. It meets the requirements for ANSI Z97.1 and/or CPSC 16 CFR 1201, and is typically labeled with a “safety” logo identifying the fabricator, glass type, and the standard it meets. Additional benefits of laminated glass can include improved UV and sound control. Various decorative laminates, including virtually unlimited custom color and interlayer options, are available

What is tempered glass? Is it safety glass?

Tempered glass is also referred to as “toughened” or “fully tempered” glass. It is heat-treated safety glass with a minimum surface compression of 10,000 psi or a minimum edge compression of 9,700 psi. The surface of tempered glass is approximately four times stronger than the surface of regular annealed (non-safety) glass of the same thickness.

When broken, tempered glass shatters into small, relatively harmless pieces. This characteristic “dice” break pattern minimizes the risk of serious injury.

What is low-iron glass?

Low-iron glass is also referred to as “optically-clear” glass. It features superior, near-colorless clarity and brilliance. The visible light transmittance of low-iron glass can reach 92%, and depends on the quality of the glass, as well as thickness.

Low-iron glass is excellent for back-painted, color-fritted, and color-laminated glass applications, because it renders the truest colors.

Low-iron glass requires special production using raw materials with naturally low levels of iron oxide.

What is back-painted glass?

Back-painted glass is a painted glass for applications such as wall cladding elevator interiors, backsplashes, and counter tops. Back-painted glass can be tempered or laminated.

This back-painting process utilizes specialty water-based paints to create an environmentally-friendly, safe, enduring, and VOC-free product for improved indoor air quality. back-painting capabilities allow for unlimited color options, including precision color matching.

What is acid etched glass?

Acid etched glass is exposed to hydrofluoric acid in order to etch a silky frosted surface – not to be confused with sand-blasted glass. Etched glass diffuses transmitted light and reduces glare, making it an outstanding daylighting material. It is maintenance friendly, resisting permanent stains from water and fingerprints. Unlike sandblasted glass, etched glass can be used in demanding applications such as shower enclosures and building exteriors.

What is sandblasted glass?

Sandblasted glass is produced by bombarding the glass surface with small hard particles to create a frosted aesthetic. Sandblasting can weaken the glass and creates a surface prone to permanent staining. Maintenance-friendly etched glass has replaced most sand-blasted glass as the industry standard for frosted glass.

What is wired glass?

Wired glass is type of glass having wire strands completely embedded as nearly as possible to the center of the thickness of the lite and approximately 1″ apart. It breaks more easily than non-wired glass of the same thickness, therefore wired glass is not a safety glass. Wired glass may have a safety film applied to it (film does not add strength) but it cannot be tempered.

What is glazing?

“Glazing” is the installation and weather-sealing of a glass product in a prepared opening.

SPECIALTY CONCRETES