Replicating Bronze Hardware

CSI Division
Division 8 - Openings
Section
Hardware
Last Modified

Technical Procedures Disclaimer

Prior to inclusion in GSA’s library of procedures, documents are reviewed by one or more qualified preservation specialists for general consistency with the Secretary of Interior Standards for rehabilitating historic buildings as understood at the time the procedure is added to the library. All specifications require project-specific editing and professional judgement regarding the applicability of a procedure to a particular building, project or location. References to products and suppliers are to serve as a general guideline and do not constitute a federal endorsement or determination that a product or method is the best or most current alternative, remains available, or is compliant with current environmental regulations and safety standards. The library of procedures is intended to serve as a resource, not a substitute, for specification development by a qualified preservation professional.

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We’ve reviewed these procedures for general consistency with federal standards for rehabilitating historic buildings and provide them only as a reference. Specifications should only be applied under the guidance of a qualified preservation professional who can assess the applicability of a procedure to a particular building, project or location. References to products and suppliers serve as general guidelines and do not constitute a federal endorsement nor a determination that a product or method is the best alternative or compliant with current environmental regulations and safety standards.


 

  • REPLICATING BRONZE HARDWARE


     
  • PART 1–GENERAL

     
  • 1.01 SUMMARY

     
  • A. This procedure includes guidance on replicating missing
     
  • or irreparably damaged bronze hardware at historic
     
  • buildings. The Contractor will fabricate custom castings
     
  • by making molds from existing, original pieces, or when
     
  • no original exists, from original drawings or photographs.
     
  • The more detailed the documentation, the better.

     
  • B. To get an estimate for replication, provide the
     
  • fabricator with close-up photographs and/or drawings
     
  • showing front and side views of the element(s), exact
     
  • dimensions, and any complex detailing. Ideally, a 35mm
     
  • camera, macro lens, and slow exposure should be used.
     
  • Architect/Engineering firms can be contacted to provide
     
  • photographs if your office does not have the needed
     
  • equipment. Provide a list of the quantity of each element
     
  • needed, since it will determine the unit cost.

     
  • C. See 01100-07-S for general project guidelines to be
     
  • reviewed along with this procedure. These guidelines
     
  • cover the following sections:

     
  • 1. Safety Precautions

     
  • 2. Historic Structures Precautions

     
  • 3. Submittals

     
  • 4. Quality Assurance

     
  • 5. Delivery, Storage and Handling

     
  • 6. Project/Site Conditions

     
  • 7. Sequencing and Scheduling

     
  • 8. General Protection (Surface and Surrounding)

     
  • These guidelines should be reviewed prior to performing
     
  • this procedure and should be followed, when applicable,
     
  • along with recommendations from the Regional Historic
     
  • Preservation Officer (RHPO). 

     
  • 1.02 SUBMITTALS

     
  • A. Samples: Submit one sample of each unique casting for
     
  • approval by Contracting Officer’s representative prior to
     
  • proceeding with fabrication remaining elements listed in
     

  • scope of work.


     

     

    PART 2–PRODUCTS

    2.01 MANUFACTURERS

    A. Ball and Ball www.ballandball-us.com

    D. Conant Metal & Light www.conantmetalandlight.com

    E. Brian F. Leo

    (Also provides custom castings in aluminum, steel and other alloys)



     

  • PART 3–EXECUTION

     
  • 3.01 ERECTION, INSTALLATION, APPLICATION

     
  • A. Design Requirements: Replace missing hardware with
     
  • replicas to match originals. Design(s) to be taken from:

     
  • 1. Existing original hardware.

     
  • 2. Original construction drawings.

     
  • 3. Photographs of original hardware.

     
  • B. New elements must match originals in all respects,
     
  • including form, material, finish, and fineness of detail.
     
  • Use the casting and finishing methods which produce the
     
  • highest quality of detail. Sand casting is acceptable for
     
  • large, flat elements such as exterior grilles. Lost wax
     
  • casting (also known as ‘investment’ casting or ‘ceramic
     
  • shell’ casting) is required for finely detailed
     
  • ornamental hardware.

     
  • C. The artisan is responsible for shrink factoring so that
     
  • the replacement element matches the dimensions of the
     
  • original.

     
  • D. If no original elements exist, and original drawings or
     
  • specifications indicating the originally intended finish
     
  • are not available, fabricate new hardware to match the
     
  • original finish (color, texture, sheen) of other original
     

  • hardware in the building.


     

     

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Last updated: Sep 30, 2024
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