Did you know that in certain sectors of the Montreal metropolitan area the regulations in force do not allow an owner to replace wrought iron with another material? In order to protect architectural heritage, the metropolitan region and several other cities in Quebec have adopted zoning and urban planning regulations, listing authorized architectural modifications by sector. Thus, in a specific sector, having the terminology "significant sector" or "heritage sector", the substitution of wrought iron material when replacing wrought iron ornamentation, banisters or stairs is prohibited.
The architectural heritage is therefore closely linked to the composition of the materials used in construction. Increased surveillance is carried out by the municipal authorities in terms of heritage conservation, the use of incompatible materials in a protected area can be reprimanded by a fine. In addition, the city of Montreal has adopted regulations such as the regulation containing the codification 03-096 ''Regulations on the sanitation and maintenance and safety of housing'' as well as 07-034 ''Regulations on building maintenance''. Thus a part of a building, such as a balcony, canopy or staircase in poor condition must be replaced according to the requirements of the competent authority in the matter. Take care to inspect your installations and contact us so that we can suggest the most durable and safe fixes to make. Let yourself be advised on maintenance methods for your wrought iron architectural components. Take note that a neglected wrought iron staircase will have a life expectancy of around ten years while a staircase well maintained over the years will last more than 30 years.
In addition, the National Building Code governs certain standards related to our area of expertise such as the height of guardrails and the composition of projections (canopies and balconies). The standards related to the National Building Code and the standards relating to heritage conservation are too often unknown to certain entrepreneurs. By instructing our team, we will inform you about the different options available. Did you know that the City of Montreal grants its citizens subsidies for the replacement and/or repair of wrought iron elements? Indeed, in certain sectors of the city where a concentration of buildings in poor condition is notable, a subsidy program has been established which goes as far as reimbursing 50% of the price of the work. Consult the following site for more information: City of Montreal or call 514 872-4630 to reach the housing department. We will be happy to carry out your projects while respecting the eligibility criteria for your municipality's maintenance or replacement program.
The height of a guardrail:
The regulations on the height of balcony railings have been modified by the Régie du Bâtiment. What does the regulation say? The regulations stipulate that the minimum height of a guardrail must be 36 inches if the balcony is more than 2 feet from the ground and 42 inches if the balcony is more than 6 feet from the ground. Also, the spacing between the bars must not exceed 4 inches whether they are arranged vertically or horizontally. In other words, no spherical object with a diameter of more than 4 inches should be allowed to pass through. It is important to note that most of the original guardrails have a height that varies between 30 and 36 inches and therefore they no longer comply with the rules in force. If you have guardrails that do not meet these standards, you have an acquired right. On the other hand, during modifications, the contractor must design guardrails that comply with the National Building Code. Some insurers require owners to comply with the new regulations.
Sandblasting, better known as "sandblast", is a technique for cleaning surfaces using an abrasive projected using compressed air through a nozzle onto the part to be blasted. Steel shot is typically the abrasive used to cut, deoxidize and remove paint from metal.
Galvanizing is a process invented by the Italian physicist Luigi Galvani, which slows down the oxidation of iron considerably by applying a layer of zinc to the surface. Although there are several galvanizing processes, the most effective is immersion in acid basins. This type of galvanizing is common and involves immersing the current-charged metal in a solution of zinc and acid at high temperatures, while electrifying the metal. This produces a chemical reaction on the surface of the metal and forms a layer of Zinc which protects the iron.ture on the metal.
This method is “hot-dip galvanizing” . It is more expensive, in addition to often leaving a rough finish, but this method offers superior protection.
This process is very popular on stair stringers because they are more subject to corrosion due in particular to their position, close to the ground and always affected by salt and calcium. Stringers need to be replaced more often than ramps, for example. It is also possible to apply Zinc solutions (Zinc Paint) to metal. The percentage of Zinc must be as high as possible and the application must be done very well, in order to obtain a good result. This method is commonly called, incorrectly, “cold galvanizing” . Since there is no chemical reaction on the surface of the iron, it is a weak, superficial protection, and sensitive to any weather or scratch.
When welding and modifying galvanized structures, this is the means used to “galvanize” unprotected areas. However, it is necessary to apply zinc paint to the welds after a few years otherwise they will rust. If rust has taken hold of the welds, it is necessary to remove the corrosion before applying the zinc paint again.
Whether it's simply a matter of safety or because your insurance company requires it, it is often possible to modify guardrails so that they comply with the National Building Code. It’s an upgrade to standards. We invite you to consult the Regulations section of our site to find out more.
The paint is charged in an electrostatic gun and then it is projected onto the surface to be painted and then baked in the oven at high temperature. Baking is a process that allows the crosslinking of the polymer, that is, it allows the paint to harden.
It is difficult to conjecture how men came to know and use iron; for it is unbelievable that they would have thought of themselves to take the material from the mine and give it the necessary preparations to melt it before knowing what would result. (JJ Rousseau, Discourse on the origin and foundations of inequality among men, 1754)
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26; its specific gravity is 7.874, it fuses at 1529 degrees C and boils at 2450 degrees C. Native (pure) iron is extremely rare in nature. The earth's crust contains 4.7% in the form of oxides and carbonates. (Documenta Geigy, Scientific tables. 7th ed. 1972)
Ironwork is the art and also the technique of working iron in the forge with different tools, from stamps to hammers. These have multiple heads: round heads (unblocker), cross heads, flat heads (flatteners). The introduction of rocking hammers and those with long tips (stretchers), and in 1841 that of drop hammers mark a significant change for iron working. Before these there were multiple forging pliers, also called pincers, which are distinguished by the shape of their jaws. We must also mention the vice and the anvil, the rounded end of which, called the bigorne, facilitates the formation of the rings. Additional tools for working with cold iron are chisels, scissors and files. The tools required vary of course depending on the order of magnitude of the materials being processed.
Wrought iron is ready for all kinds of sauces. Among the smallest items, nails, keys and their locks should be mentioned. Among the major works, naval anchors and cannons occupy a particular place from a historical and technological point of view. These two extremes eloquently demonstrate the multiple uses of wrought iron.
Today, the use of iron has become popular. The exterior and interior works are mainly concentrated on private properties. More and more ironworkers are using software specialized in assisted drawing. These new IT tools allow them to easily present, modify and edit projects from a library of existing models, saving them valuable time in the planning phase. They can easily have access, thanks to the computer, to a large choice of patterns and ornaments to personalize the product according to the customer's wishes.
- Steel: Alloy of iron and carbon (0.5% to 2%). This is the key element for its mechanical properties
- Bronze : Yellow-green alloy of copper and tin
- Coal : Coal is a generic term that refers to sedimentary rocks of biochemical origin and rich in carbon.
- Charcoal : Material obtained by carbonizing wood in a controlled manner in the absence of oxygen. The process allows wood to be removed, its humidity
- Coke: fuel resulting from the distillation of different coals.
- Cast iron: alloy of iron and carbon (2 to 7%), it is obtained by the melting and reduction of iron ore in a blast furnace in the presence of carbon.
- Soft iron: Cast iron refined by the almost complete elimination of carbon (residual less than 0.1%)
- Galvanization: Process aimed at applying a layer of zinc to the metal surface. Consult our Galvanizing section to find out more.
- Pig: Large-sized primary cast iron ingot
- Coal: Solid fuel resulting from the fossilization of plants over geological time, and which occurs in deposits
- Magnifying glass: Soft iron ingot weighing 3 to 5 kg obtained using a low furnace.
- Fox: Iron ingot ready to be transformed for market needs into flat iron, round iron, strong rectangular bar, etc.
- Guardrail: Set of elements forming a protective barrier placed around the perimeter of a balcony, a landing, a terrace located on a roof or a mezzanine. The height of the guardrail and the spacing between the bars are governed by the National Building Code.
- Juliette: Type of guardrail found in front of doors where there is no balcony.
- Stringer: Support piece that allows you to hold the steps of the stairs. For iron stairs, the 2 stringers and the support post form the support structure of the staircase.
- Banister: Bars which are placed at support height on the stringers of a staircase. There are different shapes: straight bars, arcades, English style, flowers, etc.
- Handrail: Upper part of the guardrail or ramp on which we place our.
- Step: On a staircase, horizontal surface on which one places one's foot. It can be straight when rectangular or angled when the two ends have different widths.
- Riser: In a staircase, vertical part between two steps, the majority of exterior staircases do not contain one.
- Protective grille: Grille made up of several vertical bars spaced approximately 12 cm apart and welded to horizontal bars which are themselves fixed in the wall and sealed in the frame of a window or glass door. It is generally used to secure a building. Other names used: security grille, defense grille, window grille, door grille.
- Marquise: Glass awning generally located in front of an entrance door. Although in Montreal, it is rare to see glass awnings, we still call wrought iron entrance awnings “marquise”.
- Ares, José Antonio
Techniques du fer forgé
Editions Eyrolles, Collection Le geste et l'outil (2008) 144p. - Arthur, Éric Ross Le fer : fer forgé et pièces moulées au Canada, du dix-septième siècle à nos jours.
LaPrairie, Québec: Éditions M. Broquet c1985 242p.
Disponible : UdM Aménagement cote : ( HD 9524 C32 A7812 ) - Bouchard, R
Saint-Rémi de Napierville : les croix en fer forgé du cimetière.
Québec, Ministère des affaires culturelles. Direction du patrimoine, 1979. 98 p.
Disponible : UdM LSH cote : (NK 8428 B68) - Burie, Myriam
220 modèles d'ornements de toiture de métal : Epis et Girouettes
Éditions Eyrolles Collection Gabarits et tracés - Série références, 2007 - Capdefer, André
Portails et grilles de clôtures : 25 modèles de Ferronnerie d'art Editions Eyrolles 3e ed 2011. 56 p. - de Réaumur, R.-A
L'art de convertir le fer forgé en acier : et l'art d'adoucir le fer fondu,
ou de faire des ouvrages de fer fondu aussi finis que de fer forgé.
Paris : M.Brunet, 1722
Disponible : UdM LSH : microfiches - Flores, I
L'art du fer forgé.33De Vecchi Éditeur, Paris, 2006 159 p - Kühn, F
Fer forgé.
Fribourg : Office du livre, 1973 120p.
Disponible : UdM LSH cote : (NK 8204 K84) - Mercuzot, A
Fer forgé : histoire, pratique, objets & chefs-d'oeuvre.
Jean-Cyrille Godefroy : Paris, 2007 238 p.
376, St-Joseph Est, Montréal, QC H2T 1J6