Researching ornamental iron and aluminum columns and railings to help owners of mid century home add some old skool curb appeal to their front porches was hard — the websites were not set up for national consumers, particularly, so I had hunt and peck. For this story I found three suppliers — one really good sounding, national source of decorative aluminum columns… and two local sources for ornamental iron columns and railings. (There surely must be more, so I welcome any tips.) Oh, did I mention old school — these companies have been around since — yes — right after World War II, and still have fabrication in the U.S. of A. Check out these three places where you can find to decorative metal columns and railings –>
My most useful find — with distribution in 84 locations nationwide — is Superior Aluminum Products of Russia, Ohio (just north of Dayton.) This company was launched on July 11, 1956, in Youngstown, Ohio. That is their photo, above.
I talked at length with one of the co-owners, Darren, who was super helpful. Superior offers a wide selection of design possibilities for its aluminum railings and columns. Here’s how it works:
- Superior fabricates your column to order. They can use square tubing either 1″, 1.5″ or 2″ wide…. space the tubing 9″ or 12″ apart…. customize to your height… do “flat columns” or “corner columns”… and use the decorative insert of your choice — the 10 possibilities, some simple, some flowery, shown above and in the lead photo. If you have a complex installation, for example, one that includes a big wrap around (rather than just two columns), it’s recommended that you work with a local contractor so that you get the measurements just right — this stuff is made-to-order.
- Darren notes that the simply scrolls are still manufactured at a related company, Francis Manufacturing, across the street. Yes! Manufacturing in America!
- Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices start at about $97 for the simplest unit and rises accordingly if you go fatter, wider, scrollier, taller, etc. However, these are MSRPs, you can wheel and deal locally when you go to buy.
- Superior Aluminum has 84 distributors / retail locations across the U.S. To find a supplier in your area, call or email Superior, they would love to connect you.
- Links: You want the 600 Line of decorative columns and railings.
When I first started my research, I was thinking decorative cast iron rather than aluminum. I found two places that fabricate and sell mid century style decorative columns and railings. I talked to Chuck, the manager at Remodelers Supply Center (RSC) in northwest Chicago — that’s their Climate Guard line, above. Chuck was also very helpful.
Remodelers Supply Center (RSC) sounds like a big operation. Their main business is manufacturing replacement windows, but they also do custom iron work, with 12 different styles of columns. HOWEVER, Chuck says that the company requires that they do the measuring and installation of all work. Again, like others I talked to, he reiterated that measuring for these columns and railings can be tricky. Look at those stair drawings –if you get the angle or even 1″ wrong, you are in trouble — the piece is useless. In addition, many folks use those columns as structural supports for their porch ceilings — consult a pro, do it right, you don’t want your porch roof falling down. Chuck said that an 8′ painted corner column runs about $200 plus $30 installation. Link: Remodelers Supply Center – note, they also do aluminum awnings, $91 cash-and-carry for 48″ wide, 36″ projection, they manufacture it themselves, Chuck says!
RSC is another American success story. From their history page:
Our History – An American Dream: Remodelers Supply Center (RSC) is a division of Logan Square Building Material Supply, Inc. and was started over 35 years ago as an iron, awning, and fencing shop by Mr. Isaac Silver. Mr. Silver is the heart and soul of RSC, and some of our customers still call us “Isaac’s Place”…. Mr. Silver’s story is a classic American immigrant story of coming from hard times after surviving World War II. Born in Poland, Mr. Silver came to the United States through Israel and Cuba in the 1950′s. Able to speak Russian, Polish, Spanish, and English, his legacy personifies Chicago’s diverse culture. His Polish background complements the second largest Polish city in the world here in Chicago. The American Dream became a reality for Mr. Silver and his wonderful family through very hard work and the true American work ethic. We will always be indebted to his wisdom and leadership, and he can never be replaced but he can be emulated and that is what we strive for.
Chuck says the company also made wrought iron dinettes after WWII. And finally, here’s a boo-hoo story from RSC: Chuck says that up until 12-15 years ago, the company had boatloads of wrought iron plant hangers and plant stands in their warehouse. “Fancy stuff with scrollwork,” he said, and those plant stands that have three shelves that wrap around to look like a staircase. They finally had to clear the space out. They had mega sales and sold hundreds. But when all was said and done, they still had to send lots and lots to scrap. Alas.
I also spoke with Watson Steel and Iron in Mathews, North Carolina. Also very friendly and helpful — Robin was great. Like Remodelers, she said that normally, all work they do is custom and includes installation. That is their work in the photo just above. But she seemed open to the idea that they could work out shipping for columns, if you really want cast iron. She indicated that cost for a standard flat column with scrollwork would typically start at about $250, a corner column, $350. Shipping extra. Link: Watson Steel and Iron Works.
More:
- I found another place, other side of Chicago, that does installations only, because of the measurements issue. Railings and Things.
- I tend to think there are more, local places like this across the U.S. They may not have website that popped in my search. Or at all.
- If you want to bargain hunt, try the Re-Store, craigslist, and salvage yards. Be cognizant of the potential for lead paint on old pieces – consult with a professional, take the right precautions.
Pam,
You really do dig up some great resources, this post has to be one of my favorites! The aluminum scroll work looks to me like it could also be used in making mill finish aluminum screen door guards. I think you know I’ve posted a couple of times about these vintage accessories, which really dress up a mill finish (unpainted raw aluminum) screen door – storm door. Did your Superior Aluminum Products contact happen to mention of they ever made these door guards? I believe there’s an unmet demand once again for these accessories, and I haven’t been able to locate any manufacturers making them.
thanks
Uncle Atom
Thank you, Uncle Atom! I’ll put it on my list to call Darren and talk to him about screen doors. This topic is on my to-do list, too. Mill finish screen doors – including with the round inserts with your family surname initial — WANT!
Great post Pam! I am with Uncle Atom on the screen door interest. I really want one of those with the initial in the center. They have to be out there somewhere!
Mary — start watching ebay for the initials — they do pop up sometimes. I have two “K”s that I found at an estate sale!!! I am pretty sure they are going to be nigh-on impossible to find new. I have some confidence level that I can find old skool (my new favorite word, can’t you tell) mill finish screen doors still made somewhere, though….
Pam,
Anything you can do on the screen door topic would be great. I did find a source for the mill finish doors and am using one for our front entry. You can go to Ace Hardware online and find a self-storing storm door, select your correct width and the direction of swing and get it delivered for pickup at your nearest Ace Hardware. The door is listed as Croft Metal Prod. It is OK, not quite the quality I hoped for, but it was certainly not expensive and works pretty well. The Croft door we got from Ace is not heavy gauged aluminum like the originals from years ago. Mine probably weighs only about half of what the old screen doors I used on our screened in porch. I have some pics posted here http://atomicuncle.blogspot.com/2010/05/vintage-mill-finish-aluminum-screen.html
Thanks for the tip. And I’ll watch for an “R” for you, Uncle A!
Thanks Pam and Uncle Atom…I will do the Ace Hardware thing and keep looking for the initials in the meantime.
Amazing! Thankfully the ones I have on my home are still in great shape, but I was always afraid that if I broke one they would be gone forever… Not anymore!
Thanks Pam!
I have been looking for a new porch corner as the previous owner unfortunately replaced ours with a large cedar beam. I would want iron, not aluminum. Too bad those places only do local installs. Model 105 from RSC would be perfect
-Mike
Wow!
You are the J. Edgar Hoover of MCM…..
Hmmmm, I need to re-read JEH’s bio, Gavin…
…a file on everything important…..
Pam,
How many times are you going to have to be told that you are the best thing ever!?
It’s one thing after another, my house has some nasty wood boards nailed into a 6×6 shape and deck railing painted white on the front porch and I keep thinking, I have got to get some metal scroll work to make this work right. The few houses in the neighborhood that still have it or had it originally instead of something cheaper look so much nicer. Where would I find such a thing today I wondered?
Pam will fix it! I should have known!
Thanks so much!!!
Ummm, honestly, I don’t mind being told
It keeps me inspired. This was a fun one!!!! xoxo
Ahh! These columns are my absolute favorite. I love driving around older neighborhoods and looking at all the different columns on the porches. My boyfriend and I are in the process of buying a house that has the more traditional doric styled columns (which he likes) but I would love to replace them with these because they make me so happy!
Yay for happy!
Good luck with your close, Chelsea — let me know how it turns out and when you’re in the house!!!
There are quite a number of iron works companies based out of Brooklyn, NY. One that comes to mind is A1 Ironworks (http://www.a1iron.com). They don’t have the columns, it appears they just do railings.
Thanks, Blue Jay. I am sure A1 could make columns. The way I understand this industry is that the local fabricators buy the tubing and (usually) the scrollwork — they then weld it together to order. So to make a column, you just cut the tubing taller, and add supports at the top and bottom.
Everyone: Look for LOCAL companies that do decorative iron work — they can make these for you, I am sure! They just aren’t advertising them, because they are old skool. But: Old skool is BACK!
Note, I think there also can be significant quality differences depending on where the stock materials come from. Some suppliers buy their materials from China, cheap; some from America, not so cheap. But sometimes you do get what you pay for. Probably best to see some examples of what you are buying, installed or fabricated, before you drop big bucks.
I’ll definitely be looking for local iron works companies when we re-do our interior railings. We have heavy oak railings now, but I really want iron ones as I think it’ll be less heavy. That project is pretty far off for now, given that it will probably be one of the more pricier projects on our ever-growing list.
Thanks for publishing this. I was just cursing my iron porch columns yesterday.
The twists are so difficult to keep the moss off of in the maritime Northwest!
Your posting has reminded me of why I bought this 1940′s house 15 years ago.
So happy we brought back the luv, Emilie! Love the House You’re In!!!
Oh, how I love decorative ironwork! Our neighborhood is cock full of metal porch supports and stair railings. We bought a house that has it everywhere- carport supports, porch support, even on the windows and both doors! Yay!
I admire decorative ironwork! If only my front deck (which is likely close to original because there’s a root cellar underneath it!) wouldn’t accommodate it. And so I’ll continue to admire ironwork!
Oh Pam you must be psychic! I have been scouring local salvage yards, flea markets, Craigslist, ebay and classifieds for almost 2 years for aluminum or iron porch posts for my house. The previous owner put up these huge thick white porch columns that do not fit the look of my MCM ranch (they look more like TARA in GTW) and are overpowering for the house. Believe it or not tonight as I was finishing my evening walk through my neighborhood and was looking at the front of my house, I finally decided to give up and “live with the plantation look”. Lo and behold as I pulled up your blog tonight, look what greeted me! Whoo hoo! First thing tomorrow I will see if there is a Superior Aluminum dealer anywhere within the state of Florida!
Can I add that these columns (esp the florals) look super on BRICK homes?
Our front stoop and the ironwork and awning are on our 2012 project list. These resources might come in handy, especially since we’re in the Chicago are. Thanks!
Funny that this is up. I just started disassembling my front porch aluminum and awnings so I can scrape for painting next month! This is giving me ideas…..I have the aluminum columns with simply curly “S” shapes in them, but they are original.
These are inspiring! Our porch rebuild is not started yet. I am going to print out the Superior pix and ask my contractor if they would be feasible. We were thinking stucco columns,which would match the house construction. I did find a gorgeous egret screen door grille on eBay.
Elaine, your comment / question is a good one — I tend to believe that slate is slippery…. Homeowners: Do your own research and consider this….
OMG – thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ve been hunting for these! But I’m hoping for one of the more geometric patterns. Concentric squares, etc.
There is a house in my neighborhood (early 60s) that has ornamental iron “shutters”… they are really cute… the house is wedgewood blue with white trim and white “shutters”… I want them!
Pam, I have been trying to figure out how to replace the ugly lattice panels that support the roof over the basement entrance in my backyard. Would you believe I just thought thought of these columns last week but had no idea where to even start looking for them?
Thanks. Once again, you are the mid century modest maven!
Hello, I live in Southern Spain and there is a LOT of forged iron here, specially to defend windows from robbery, in porches, patios, fountains, chandeliers, others. You might want to travel over to Andalusia once ! Best greetings.
Think I found a viable option in Dallas, TX:
http://www.kingmetals.com/Default.aspx?page=category%20search%20results&CatList=20092&Parent=25&tree=2*Aluminum+Castings*0%40%4025*Modern+and+Contemporary*20092@@
I’ve got a heavily, heavily over-painted ivy pattern on my porch supports. Since I’m trying to emphasize the atomic side of my atomic ranch, I’d kill for supports with a geometric pattern, which I’ve seen a few times.
We need to take pictures of the patterns we run across, and create a library online. It might be the only record of some of them. I was kinda hoping a positive side of the down economy would be a decrease in the teardown/McMansion syndrome. sigh
as a blacksmith/metalworker, i do some work on these old columns, but not too much. they tend to be thin and don’t hold up too well to our kentucky humidity. but, if anyone is looking to have some made, or check out some ideas, you can go to a few folks- one is king’s metalworks, kingsmetals.com, they sell pre-fab stuff, or try searching ABANA, artist blacksmith association of north america- they’ll have links to local chapters all over the country. also, NOMMA, national ornamental and miscellaneous metals association. loads of resources there as well!
love this site.. working on my mid 1920′s house now, adding more mid-century details, though.
d’oh! just realized njw has a link to king’s!
I am installing red flag stone columns under my existing ornimental steel porch columns. The stone columns would stand about 2.5 ft tall. The ornimental columns are made from 1″x1″ square tubing, with curley S patterns and are about 12″ wide. To be moderately proportional with an adgacent 8″ wide flagstone rock wall, with a 12″ wide cap, I think the rock column needs to be wider — maybe about 20″ square. However, it seems that this large stone column (20″x20″) would dwarf the 12″ wide ornimental portion of the column. Would a 20″x20″ stone column supporting a 1″x12″ ornimental column look like a toothpick on a brick? Any thoughts on the proportions above or recommendations for different dimensions?