FAQs

Yes! We love designing the perfect item for our customers' unique needs. We don't charge for design; you pay only for the steel and welding. Use our quote form for a customized quote. Please be sure to include:

• Your name
• Phone number
• Any designs or drawings you have
• Steel thickness
• Whether you would like powder coating
• The shipping address

We can take it from there.

The lead time is displayed in red at the top of the Cart with at least one item in it. That is the best way to see the most up-to-date times. In general, powder coating and welding will add additional time to the standard lead time listed. Lead time is measured from the order placed to when it is shipped from our shop. We unfortunately have no control over independent carrier shipping times. You will get a tracking number as soon as your order is shipped.

Type your order number into our order status lookup, and we’ll email the link to your order’s status page to the address on the order: every item, and each step it goes through in our shop. Once your order has shipped, use the tracking information we sent. Or call us at (325) 400-1274, and we’ll look it up.

We sometimes ship orders in multiple boxes. You will receive a tracking number for each box. Even though we ship all the boxes at the same time, they don’t always show up on the same day. Please verify the tracking information for each box.

Unfortunately, there are times when orders do get lost or damaged during shipping. Please contact us with the tracking number, and we will assist you in resolving the issue. If there is damage, pictures of the damage and as much detail as you can provide will help us when we are filing a claim with the shipping company on your behalf.

We ship to Canada, but customs fees and tariffs are added to the order cost. Contact us for a complete quote.

In general, the timber width determines the collection you choose. We usually recommend leaving a wood "reveal" around the plates rather than having the plates go right to the edge of the wood. Also, please be aware that “dimensional lumber” is specified in nominal dimensions. For example, a 4 x 4 dimensional lumber post like you would buy at a big box store is actually 3 ½” x 3 ½”, so our 4” wide Taiga plates would actually extend past the edge of the lumber. Rough-sawn lumber is typically specified in actual dimensions, so a rough-sawn 8x8 will be roughly 8" by 8".

If in doubt, call us, and we will work with you to select the best choice for your application.

3/16" is our standard thickness and suits most decorative work. 1/4" is heavier and stiffer. Our plates are architectural hardware, not engineered or load-rated: if a plate is part of how your structure carries load, have your engineer confirm the plate, its thickness, and its bolts. You and your engineer are responsible for its suitability.

Need another thickness? Please contact us for additional options.

The standard hole size of our plates is 11/16” unless otherwise noted. These holes are designed for 5/8" bolts. Our awning and face-mounted brackets default to 1/4" fasteners. If you would like to use a fastener of a different diameter, please contact us. We can usually make that change for free, and our online configurators let you choose the hole size for your fastener.

We use industry-standard A36 plate and 1018 cold-rolled rod. Tie rod assemblies, brackets included, are also available in 316 stainless steel by quote. If you need a custom grade of steel, please call for a quote.

• Unfinished (included) - Mild steel rusts, so expect some superficial rust on your plates. In most cases, you can ignore it and apply your finish right over it, but if you really want, take some steel wool or sandpaper to it and wipe it off.
• Powder coat (additional cost) - Our matte black powder coat is gorgeous and one of the most durable finishes on the market. This is the preferred option for outdoor applications because of its UV stability. Matte black powder coating can be selected at checkout. Contact us if you need a different color.
• Galvanized - For outdoor installations in very wet environments or in environments close to the ocean, galvanizing is the best choice for rust resistance. Please contact us for a quote if you need your parts galvanized.

In addition, there are other finish options you can do yourself. Please see our How it Works page for more information.

Yes! We do offer galvanizing. Please give us a call, and we can give you a quote. Please note that galvanizing adds substantially to lead times. Please plan accordingly.

The powder coating option will appear above your cart during the checkout process.

Click the checkbox, and the cost will be added to your cart. It might take a second or two to refresh the screen. To remove powder coating, uncheck the box.

Our plates are cut to order, and shipping of heavy steel plates is expensive. As such, we are regrettably not able to accept returns. Please review your order carefully before you place it. If you are even remotely unsure, consider making mockups out of cardboard or typing paper. All of our plates have detailed images that you can zoom in on and get accurate dimensions.

If all else fails, call us, and we can help you pick the right plates. We love helping customers on their projects.

You can view our refund policy here.