In this article, we will talk about what wrought iron canopies and wrought iron canopies are, as well as how they are made. The topic of the article is of considerable interest, since it is the use of metal structures that makes it possible to make canopies not only durable, but also openwork. After all, most of the various metals with the same dimensions are an order of magnitude stronger than wood or stone.
Another important point is the fact that the metal, despite its strength, is easy to process and, with the appropriate equipment, it can be given any, even the most complex shapes.
Operational features of forged canopies
Forged canopies and canopies are the most important element of the decorative design of construction projects. However, in addition to being used as a decorative element, these metal structures perform a purely utilitarian function. Such devices protect the porch or entrance to the building from precipitation.
In addition, if the porch in the house is equipped with a durable and reliable canopy, the residents of the house will be protected as much as possible from the threat of falling from roofs covered with snow or icicles.
Important: When choosing metal canopies, one should take into account their compatibility with the building object and decorative elements used in decorating the backyard.
Design features
A forged canopy over the porch is a structure consisting of the upper part - a metal frame sheathed with one or another material and diagonal supports or full-fledged vertical supports.
The upper part of structures can have a flat, curved or hemispherical shape. However, along with standard solutions, experienced craftsmen can make a canopy with a more complex configuration with their own hands.
Regardless of the design features, the considered metal structures are manufactured using high-strength steel grades, which are characterized by increased resistance to mechanical stress.
An important point is the anti-corrosion protection of the finished product. Anti-corrosion treatment allows the use of methods such as galvanizing, polymer treatment and treatment with special corrosion-resistant paints and varnishes. For greater reliability, the listed methods can be applied not separately, but in combination with each other.
Especially popular today is the protective treatment of steel products with powder paint, which, as it bakes, forms a dense hydrophobic coating. Powder paint allows you to decorate metal structures with an even one-color layer, or create a patinated effect.
Choosing forged or welded hardware
The instructions for making forged canopies are complex and require expensive forging equipment. . Many small enterprises producing handicraft metal structures go by reducing production costs and offer the buyer under the guise of forged, welded products.
Is it good or bad, and can this approach be considered a deception of the buyer?
Let's just say that there is nothing wrong with purchasing a welded visor instead of a truly forged counterpart, especially since the price of such products is more affordable. The main thing is that the manufacturer of the product informs you about what you are actually purchasing.
So, what is the difference between a forged canopy and a welded canopy, and what you need to know in order not to be deceived:
- A forged product is made from a solid metal rod, which is heated to the required temperature and deformed on an anvil with a hammer to give the desired shape.. This technology was widely used in ancient times, when a profile pipe was a rarity.
Important: Today, blacksmithing is done by craftsmen, who, unfortunately, are few in number.
Blacksmithing art is in little demand, as the consumer is not always ready to pay the real cost of forged products.
- The welded product is made from a seamless profile pipe, which is shaped to the desired shape on a pipe bending machine.. Properly bent workpieces are welded to each other by electrode welding.
So, now that we have a general idea of how forged visors are made, let's decide what is really better than a product made in a forge or designs with artistic forms made from a profile pipe.
Advantages and disadvantages
Metal canopies produced in the forge by masters of their craft are characterized by the following advantages:
- high artistic value;
- originality and exclusivity;
- durability;
- the possibility of ordering any, sometimes the most complex forms;
- the possibility of manufacturing a whole ensemble of structures for a country house, including canopies, benches, decoration of lampposts, flowerbed fences, etc.
However, forged products have some disadvantages, including:
- a lot of weight, which is important if the visor is installed on the wall of an old house;
- high price.
But there is an alternative - these are structures made with the use of profile pipes for a canopy.
Among the advantages characteristic of metal structures from profile pipes, we note the following qualities:
- affordable price, which becomes possible due to the ease of assembly and the relatively low cost of production material;
- low weight, in comparison with all-metal products, and, as a result, the possibility of mounting on surfaces of various strengths without the threat of collapse;
- a wide range of materials that can be used as a coating, ranging from polycarbonate to galvanized sheet.
Among the shortcomings of welded structures, we note the lower artistic value due to the insufficient elegance of the forms. A profile pipe, unlike an all-metal rod, bends with a smaller bend diameter. As a result, piping craftsmen have fewer opportunities to create artistic embellishments.
The way out of this situation was the canopies, welded from shaped pipes and decorated with declarative items produced in the blacksmith shop.
Conclusion
So, we examined the features of the manufacture of metal canopies. Moreover, we learned what types of products you can choose and order in specialized organizations. Any questions left? You can find more useful information by watching the video in this article.
Did the article help you?