2020 has been a crazy year for many reasons, one of which is weather conditions. Whether it is consecutive hurricanes, wildfires, extreme heat, or the surely frigid coming winter, no one has been left untouched. While we can’t protect you against the most extreme of conditions (or alien invasions) we can offer options for general weather protection.
If you have read our previous blogs about our Catalina line, Planning for Outdoor Hardware and Outdoor Hardware Explained, you probably have a decent grasp on what the line offers. However, if you are wondering what you can do when you don’t want what is offered in Catalina, wonder no more. This blog is all about our Zinc Undercoat option and 5-year Outdoor Warranty. Okay, you got me, there’s maybe a little bit about Catalina too.
Zinc Undercoat FAQ
Q. What is a Zinc Undercoat?
A: Zinc is a reactive metal that is far more resistant to rust and corrosion than ferrous metals like iron and steel. By coating an iron or steel item with a layer of zinc infused paint, a process known as Cold Galvanising, you essentially give the less resistant metal a protective barrier against corrosive elements like moisture, dust, and high or low temperatures. This makes it the best option for protecting iron drapery hardware when it is in less ideal environments.
Q. How does the Outdoor Warranty work?
A: Our Outdoor Warranty is 5-years and covers faded finishes, weather damage, and rust. It must be used on Catalina hardware or on iron, steel, or zinc hardware that has been given a Zinc undercoat. They must be in an outdoor approved finish and have the minimum number of brackets to cover the Bracket-to-Bracket Maximum. Damage caused by inadequate bracket support is not covered by the Outdoor warranty.
Q. What hardware can be undercoated?
A: You have two options. First, you can purchase hardware from our Catalina line. It has been pre-coated in Zinc and has the cost of the coating already factored into the price. However, if you wish to use hardware outside of what Catalina offers, we can also coat our steel, iron, or zinc hardware with an undercoat for an upcharge of 15% of the price. In both cases, you will need to use an outdoor approved finish to get the 5-year outdoor warranty.
Best lines to put Undercoat on:
- Artefice steel hardware (excluding the Fiberglass Wands)
- Artigiani iron, cast iron, and zinc hardware (Excluding crystal, acrylic, and fiberglass hardware)
- Jackie Von Tobel finials, medallions, and ornaments
- French Pole kits (Some exclusions may apply)
Q. What makes Catalina hardware different?
A: Even if a water-resistant outdoor fabric is used, the resulting drapery will still be heavier than normal. This means that our outdoor hardware must be able to withstand the added weight, especially in windy, wet, or sandy areas. It must also have the least amount of crevices, and movable parts possible in order to keep water or dust out. The products chosen for our Catalina line have been tested for their strength, simplicity, and air-tightness. This does not mean that products outside of the line can’t do well outdoors, but they do have a higher probability of future issues than the products within the line.
Q. What hardware can not be undercoated?
A: The following types of hardware cannot be undercoated at all due to the materials used:
- Wood hardware from our Isabella line
- Plated metal hardware from our Metro line
- Motorized RBS, Decorative Rods, and Tracks. While the tracks and headrails can be successfully coated, the motorized components cannot. Doing so would void the motor warranty.
- Any spliced rods. The splice is a prime spot for water leakage, so we cannot safely guarantee the hardware will be weather resistant even with the undercoating.
There are some hardware types that can be coated, but it is either strongly discouraged or will void the warranty. These include:
- Bent, bowed, and mitered rods are covered provided they are not spliced.
- Bypass and adjustable hardware are not recommended for outdoor use due to the small, movable parts. However, the warranty will cover them provided the rod is not spliced.
- Non-metal materials, such as acrylic, plastic, and fiberglass, won’t benefit from the undercoating. While those materials are naturally less likely to rust, they face other issues when exposed to the elements, such as cracking and warping. This means any RBS or traverse hardware is not covered by the warranty or recommended for outdoor use.
Q. What is an ‘Outdoor Approved’ finish and why is it required?
A: In order for the undercoat to work properly, the paint applied on top of it cannot be thick, have a glossy top coat, or fade easily. The finishes we have approved for outdoor use have only a single layer (such as base finishes like Earth, Coal, and Alabaster) or have minimal layers and manipulation (such as Canyon, Forge, and Rustic). They also are made from fade-resistant paint. Using a finish different from above will void the warranty.