Frank Lloyd Wright Light Frame Replication in Delavan, WI

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When a general contractor needed to recreate two missing exterior lights for a Frank Lloyd Wright home on Delavan Lake, they contacted RC Portable Welding & Fabrication for help. The goal was not to create something new. The new light frames and posts needed to closely replicate the originals and fit into a property being restored according to Wright’s original drawings.

This was familiar territory for our professional metal fabricators. We have completed metalwork for Frank Lloyd Wright properties on Delavan Lake before, giving us experience with the level of detail that historic restoration work like this requires.

Recreating Missing Light Frames From the Original Drawings

Two original lights were missing from the property’s carriage house. To recreate them, we worked from templates along with the original Frank Lloyd Wright prints.

Rather than simply making new fixtures that looked similar, we used the available drawings and original design details as the guide for the new pieces. The dimensions, proportions, and construction of the light frames and posts all needed to match the historic design as closely as possible.

This kind of work is a good example of what can be accomplished through custom metal fabrication. When an original component is damaged, missing, or no longer available, existing pieces, drawings, and templates can provide the information needed to fabricate a replacement.

Fabricating the New Light Frames and Posts

We completed the fabrication work at our Elkhorn shop using a combination of hand tools, a press brake, and a hydraulic shear. We formed and fabricated each piece to match the original light frames and posts, then took them to the Delavan Lake property for installation.

The fabrication portion of the project took about four days, and our team was able to begin the work within a couple of weeks of the initial call.

Once the new pieces were installed, they restored a detail missing from the original carriage house while staying consistent with the property’s historic design. Both the homeowners and the general contractor were impressed with how closely the completed pieces matched the originals.

Metal Fabrication With a Piece of Wisconsin History

Projects like this are a little different from an everyday fabrication job. Frank Lloyd Wright designed five summer residences along Delavan Lake, and the homes remain an important part of the area’s architectural history.

RC has had the opportunity to perform work on these historic properties over the years. Being asked to reproduce pieces from original Wright drawings lets us use the same fabrication skills we bring to modern projects in a setting where every detail matters.

For us, that is one of the interesting parts of custom fabrication. One week may involve a commercial or industrial project, while another may involve recreating a metal component that has been part of a Wisconsin property for more than a century.

If you have a historic restoration project, a one-of-a-kind metal component, or another piece that needs to be recreated from an existing design, contact RC Portable Welding & Fabrication to discuss what you need.

How Can A Residential Welding Project Add Value To My Home?

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When people think of a welding project for their home, they might imagine something small or primarily decorative. However, a custom welding project can be something much grander. R.C. Portable Welding & Fabrication has created many unique residential welding projects that have elevated the overall look of a room, outdoor space, or the entire home, often while also adding utility. By adding something completely unique to your home, property value tends to increase in a few different ways.

Adding Beauty

There are many reasons people turn to us for custom welding projects. One of them is our ability to create distinctive pieces. As opposed to choosing something “off the shelf” at a home improvement store, our exclusive metal items will not be found in your average new build home or apartment complex. If you are tired of generic features with little visual interest, R.C. Portable Welding & Fabrication’s residential welding projects may be for you.

And property appraisers will take positive note of such additions, particularly if they are tasteful and not overly customized to your taste. Indeed, you will probably want to avoid having your family name welded into a garden gate if your goal is increasing property value! If that is a priority for you, consider patterns and overall designs that will have more mass appeal as you work with us to construct your piece.

Adding Utility

Many of our custom residential welding projects are aimed at providing a valuable function. For example, we weld custom metal gates to be used as staircase barriers, driveways gates, and more. In addition to their uniquely beautiful appearance, these pieces can add significant value to your home as potential buyers will recognize the appeal of a high-quality and functional item that adds safety and privacy.

Another custom metal piece we commonly fabricate is handrailing. Handrails along staircases and in other potentially hazardous areas are essential for providing stability and general safety. Strong and well-made handrails will be greatly appreciated by all potential buyers, especially those with children or elderly family members who might live in the home.

Add Usable Space

In addition to adding practical utility to your home with items like gates and barriers, our residential welding projects can actually add usable space to your property. We custom-weld metal decks to suit your aesthetic and needs. Outdoor deck space is a highly coveted home upgrade that potential buyers love. If you have underutilized outdoor space, consider having us construct a custom, high-quality metal deck that will withstand the seasons and last for years.

When it comes to resale value, adding a custom metal deck satisfies buyers’ increasing desire for singular outdoor living spaces. This is considered one of the most cost-effective investments homeowners can currently make for improving their home’s value, while also improving their enjoyment of the space.

Find Out What Residential Welding Project We Can Create For You

Though we can take inspiration from previous projects, every piece we undertake is unique. We design based on your goals and specifications. So, it is very likely that, with a little discussion and outlining, we can bring to life something you’ve dreamed up. If you have an idea for a custom residential welding project to add value, enjoyment, and utility to your home, request a quote from us today!