Custom Side Gates

Posted on May 25, 2018 by David Wilson

Centre opening custom side gates

A client wanted custom side gates built for their Art Deco home that would match the style of the original front gates on their property.

The side of the house where the side gates were required was a little wider than normal which would make a single gate too large. Centre opening double side gates were suggested which would have a more pleasing aesthetic. The fence on the side of the house was too flimsy to support a gate so a 100mm square steel pillar needed to be installed to support one side.

Using the original front gates (which we had just restored) as a guide, a suitable design for the side gates was developed which captured the look we were after.

One gate half jigged out ready for welding

Side path before gate installation

Completed gates with a cold gal coating and primed

Back view of gates

The installation was very straight forward but the house was cement rendered and there was no way of knowing if you were drilling into bricks or mortar so dynabolts would be a bit dicey. Instead it was decided to use Chemset studs which provided a much more secure anchor without putting undue stress on the brickwork.

The installation of the custom side gates has made a nice addition to the overall look of the property.

Interior Window Security Bars

Posted on September 18, 2017 by David Wilson

Inside view of bathroom window security bars

Many older style homes and units have outward opening bathroom windows which makes it difficult to install suitable security bars. The solution we offered a client was to install them on the inside of the bathroom windows.

Interior security bar installations present their own set of difficulties not least of which is being able to open and close the windows which are now behind the bars.

These particular windows have a long arm which needed to be able to swing up from the locked position and then pivot out to push the window open. This was achieved by using a cross motif in the design which allows the opening arm to be manipulated through the open areas of the bars.

Window opening arm operation.

Exterior view of bathroom windows

Basic Window Security Bars

Posted on September 2, 2017 by David Wilson

Simple window security bars

Here is a basic window security bars installation on the lounge room window of a ground floor strata unit.

The client wanted something basic but neat so the design was based on the pair of interior bathroom window bars which were also provided for the unit.

Removable Window Security Bars

Posted on August 18, 2017 by David Wilson

The Art Deco style removable window security bars

A client wanted some Art Deco style removable security bars for her bathroom windows. Because it was a block of flats she wanted the removable bars mounted on the inside of the windows so that the outside appearance of the building wasn’t affected.

The security bars use a simple ODEON Art Deco design which is mirrored in the opposite window to achieve a more balanced look.

The removable bars are held in position by brackets fixed into the bottom of the window frames and locked in position by two standard window locks attached to the top section of the security bar frames. The bars can be removed by removing the two pins in the locks and pivoting them forward and out of the bottom brackets.

The pictures below illustrate how the removable bars are fitted/removed.

Bathroom windows before security bar installation

Bottom brackets to hold security bars in position

Detailed view of a bottom bracket which secures the base

Fitting the security bars into the bottom brackets

Locking the bars in position with the top securing pin

The second bar securing pin locked in position

ODEON Art Deco Security Doors

Posted on July 12, 2016 by David Wilson

ODEON style Art Deco security doors on an Inner city semi.

These ODEON style Art Deco security doors make an attractive additional to this turn of the century Sydney Semi.

The double doors stand three metres tall and mirror the arched entry to the verandah. The high centre opening doors create an impressive and expansive entrance to the house.

The top and bottom drop bolts used to secure the left hand side door have been fitted inside the door frame and operate in a similar manner to a rifle bolt with the operate knobs fitted near the centre of the door. With the right hand side door locked the drop bolts are also locked as they can only operate with the right hand door open.

The all steel framework is painted a metallic grey and fitted with plain dead lock. The ODEON is one of several designs unique to DecoWorks Pty Ltd.

Another view of the ODEON style Art Deco security doors

The silhouette of the ODEON security doors

The silhouette of the ODEON from the hallway of the house

Art Deco Front Gate

Posted on June 25, 2015 by David Wilson

Plaza style Art Deco front gate

This Plaza style Art Deco front gate makes a stylish entrance into the new front courtyard of this terrace house.

In collaboration with the client the standard Plaza design was adjusted to suit the new front courtyard wall which replaced the old fence of the terrace house.

The addition of the garden bed along the front of the wall helps create an attractive overall design to the new wall.

View looking out from the courtyard

Another view of the courtyard entrance

Stainless Steel Security Grille

Posted on April 22, 2015 by David Wilson

Artistic stainless steel window security grille installation

This unique artistic stainless steel security grille makes a very stylish addition to this family home in Sydney. The brief from the client was that she did not want traditional security bars on the front lounge room window because it would feel like living in a cage. In collaboration with the client the design evolved into a sinuous web of leafy vines.

Stainless steel was chosen for the construction to ensure a long and corrosion free life. Using flat bar gave the design a light and airy look while still maintaining a strong structure. More information on the stainless steel security grille construction can be found here.

Detail of the artistic security grille

Artistic Security Bars

Artistic security grille painted and ready for installation

Started work making artistic security bars for a front window today. The client did not want anything resembling security bars to avoid that *caged in* feeling. It was particularly important for the this window as it is quite large at 2.2m x 1.5m and looks out from the lounge room onto the street. The final design evolved into a sinuos group of ivy vines with no straight lines.

Long term corrosion was of concern for the client so these artistic security bars are made from stainless steel. They will outlive the house.

Stainless steel is an excellent material to use for custom security doors and bars which, because they are one-offs, are more expensive to build. By spending a bit more for stainless steel materials the client is guaranteed a product that will stand the test of time and be a sound long term investment for their property.

Welding the stainless steel parts together proved to be a difficult job. The design is all curves which had to be joined together seamlessly. Each weld was executed and smoothed one at a time because most of the welds would be inaccessible in the completed grille. To reduce warping the grille was welded in sections with the outer frame being the last part attached. The welding process took three days.

Starting work cutting and bending curves for the artistic security grille

All the stainless steel parts setup ready for welding

Welding the artistic security grille in sections to reduce warping

Completed artistic security grille with primer coat.