http://mrsmetalfab.com/blog A blog about growing our women-owned metal fabrication firm in the San Francisco Bay Area Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:26:40 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Powder coating is applied to architectural metalwork to create a hard finish that is tougher than conventional paints. The coating is typically applied electrostatically and is then cured under heat to allow it to flow and form a skin. There are several advantages to powder coating. Powder coating is more durable ... http://mrsmetalfab.com/blog/2010/03/04/is-powder-coating-really-the-best-option/ http://mrsmetalfab.com/blog/2009/11/02/watch-a-video-of-the-mrs-shop/ We were excited to win a generous cash prize for second place in the Feeney Architectural Products Photo Contest! Feeney Architectural Products, located just down the road from us in Oakland,  is our favorite source for stainless steel cables and related hardware components. You can see our winning photos below and check ... http://mrsmetalfab.com/blog/2009/07/30/mrs-wins-prize-from-feeney-architectural-products/ At MRS, we work frequently with homeowners who are saving money by running their own home improvement or new construction projects rather than hiring a general contractor.  We LOVE working directly with homeowners. However, we have seen several learn the hard way how challenging it can be to optimally coordinate ... http://mrsmetalfab.com/blog/2009/05/13/advice-for-homeowners-installment-1/ We received such a nice compliment from one of our clients the other day. I wanted to share it: "It looks perfect--like it's been there a long time and has grown into the place and belongs through history.  Thank you for the graceful design, a beautiful rail that blends with our ... http://mrsmetalfab.com/blog/2009/04/28/generous-testimonial-from-sausalito-client/ We're really excited that our clients have been giving our metalwork positive reviews on Yelp! It will be interesting to see if we get any visitors to our website coming from the Yelp link. Here's a review from a recent customer in Hayward. http://www.yelp.com/biz/mrs-metal-fabrication-inc-oakland#hrid:_37rTc6-5M4hIQiPPHk0bA "These guys really know their trade! ... http://mrsmetalfab.com/blog/2009/03/29/mrs-reviewed-on-yelp/ We have had the privilege this month of fabricating and installing an incredibly unique project in an Oakland residence designed by famous local architect Beverley David Thorne. The home is known as the "Millennium House" and it exemplifies Thorne's tradition of steel residential structures. MRS fabricated and installed the spiral ... http://mrsmetalfab.com/blog/2009/02/22/mrs-fabricates-modern-stair-in-home-designed-by-famous-architect-b-thorne/ We recently completed ornamental ironwork at 9 Brookbank in Orinda, CA. Our work included guard railings for three deck rail sections made from ornamental steel hammered pickets. We also fabricated and installed custom interior stair rails and a very long hand rail in the back yard. This beautiful house is ... http://mrsmetalfab.com/blog/2009/01/23/recent-ornamental-ironwork-at-9-bookbank-road/ http://mrsmetalfab.com/blog/2008/12/28/ornamental-iron-stair-rail-on-clay-street-in-san-francisco/ At MRS, we often get calls or emails from clients seeking “wrought iron” gates, guardrails, fences, and other architectural metal work. We usually don’t take this to mean the client wants us to fabricate their project using authentic wrought iron. In almost all cases, the client is simply seeking an ... http://mrsmetalfab.com/blog/2008/12/28/why-is-all-ornamental-metal-described-as-%e2%80%9cwrought-iron%e2%80%9d/