Metal garden staircase dilemma

johnleh

5 years ago

Hi everyone

The wooden staircase down to my garden is rotting. *sobs* Here it is:

I want to replace it with a metal staircase, perhaps a bit more funky like this style:

But I keep receiving conflicting advice on finish: some say that it must be (hot-dipped?) galvanised before installation to ensure longevity, more expensive. Others claim that galvanising is a potential waste of money as onsite cuts will compromise it, and that if I repaint the staircase (presumably with the right sort of weather-protective paint) every three years or so it will last for donkeys years.

So a gamble either way it seems.. Who is right? Any guidance greatly appreciated.

It is also hard to find a recommended supplier of this kind of thing around London. It seems the best idea is to go direct to a fabrication company, but I have had quotes ranging from £4k to £12k and several seem worryingly vague. Can anyone recommend an outfit who do this sort of thing?

Many thanks for any help with this.

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Comments (5)

PRO
Eastwell Ironworks Ltd
5 years ago
Hi Johnleh, just to try and explain a couple of points re;- protection of mild steel. Basically, Galvanising is dipping the components into a vat/ bath of hot molten zinc,( hence the hot dipped galvanised term. ) This coats the metalwork with a shiny/ mottled silvery finish, because this is zinc it will not corrode/ rust as unprotected mild steel would. This process is used quite commonly to give mild steel a longevity of life with a very minimal amount of maintainence. It can also be powder coated or painted on top to give another colour finish if desired. Galvanising is usally recommended in higher corrosive enviroments, such as coastal areas. If the metalwork is inland and in a less corrosive enviroment, powder coating ( this is where the metalwork is sprayed with a powder and statically sticks to the work prior to being "baked" in an oven. ) or traditional prime and paint can be used. Painted metalwork however would normally require more regular maintainence and can become awkward in the hard to get places. I hope this makes sense and sorry I did try to keep it brief !!!.........Regards, Leigh.
johnleh thanked Eastwell Ironworks Ltd
johnleh
Original Author
5 years ago
Many thanks Leigh - very helpful. I am tempted towards not galvanising now; I don’t mind a bit of hard-to-get-to-maintenance! Do you know anyone decent who can fit these in London? Cheers, Johnny
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PRO
Eastwell Ironworks Ltd
5 years ago
It is something we could quote for you, what part of London and could you give me any more details please as to your requirements. E- mail is eastwellironworks@btconnect.com. Cheers, Leigh.
johnleh thanked Eastwell Ironworks Ltd
johnleh
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks Leigh, I'll email you details and a couple more pics. Cheers, John
PRO
Angell Welding & Fabrications
5 years ago
Hi John, we're a fabrication company based in South London, but quite regularly do metal garden staircases in a range on finishes. Quotes will vary depending on the look finish you're going for, and a survey would need to be carried out but we'd also be happy to quote or send you samples of our previous work etc.
Please feel free to email me if this is of interest with any more information, rough sizes and pictures/sketches to info@angellwelding.co.uk
Thanks,
Ian
johnleh thanked Angell Welding & Fabrications

Metal garden staircase dilemma

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