When ordering frames for grilles or vents please provide your 'APERTURE' sizes only. That is, the size of the hole in your wall or furniture into or over which you want your frames to fit.
Do not attempt to provide overall maximum frame sizes as you do not know all the factors involved. We will calculate those for you.
We assume that all sizes received are aperture sizes unless informed otherwise.
If you need the external dimensions of your frame to be a specific size due to restrictions such as adjacent architectural features that might be in the way, please advise on the these restrictions and we will do the calcuations for you.
There are four main types of frame; Angle, T-section, U channel and Flat.
Angle frames are made form material that has an angle (L- shaped) profile and are generally supplied loose so they can be fitted into the hole into which the grille will fit, such that the grille can then be put in place on top of it and remains free to be removed whenever necessary.
Angle frames are particularly suitable for floor applications where a flush finish is required. The height of the frame, and grille that will fit into the frame can be specified such that when fitted in place, both are level with the floor height or whatever surface they are being fitted into. This type of frame is often screwed or glued in place.
Flat frames are also usually pre-fitted to the grille. They consist of a simple flat strip of matching metal applied to one face of the grille. Usually screw holes are drilled into the flat frame for face fixing.
T-section frames are the most popular type and are generally supplied fitted permanently to the grille. This type of frame is equally suited to floor or wall applications and has the benefit of providing a fully framed edge that covers both the edge of the grille and the edge of the hole into which it fits.
When this type of grille needs to be removed, both the grille and frame are removed at the same time. This type of grille is often fitted in floor applications without the use of glue or screws and just stays in place due to its own weight and the leg of the T fitting snugly against the inside of the hole.
If T-section frames are to be wall mounted they can either be screwed into place or if a fixing free look is required then a spring clip system can be used. This both holds them in place and allows them to be easily removed when necessary.
U- channel frames fit over the outside edge of the grille, providing a good looking frame edge that looks the same from both sides. This is a good option for decorative screens, panels and grilles which will be seen from both sides.
All our frames are available in brass. The brass frames can be polished to either a mirror or satin finish. The frames can then be antiqued to either a light, medium or dark antique brass. Frames can also be bronzed, nickel plated, etc.
When ordering a frame without a grille please specify either the minimum internal dimensions of the frame, the maximum outer dimension of the frame or the size of the aperture over which it is to fit.
Please ensure you let us know which of these dimensions it is that you have provided. If the frame is to fit around the outside of something like a television screen, then the minimum internal dimensions of the frame would be most important. If the frame is to line the inside of a hole then the maximum outer dimensions would be most important.
If a T-section grille is desired then please provide the hole size and this will be taken as the outside dimension of the leg that fits back into the hole (with a small tolerance). The outer flange of the face of the T section frame will overlap the hole and therefore have a larger maximum outer dimension while the inner flange of the face of the T-section will overlap the grille and, therefore, have a smaller minimum internal dimension.
As well as frames we can also supply inlays, edging strips, skirtings and a wide variety of decorative metal features for furniture and interiors.
We guarantee that you will be more than happy with our decorative grilles and outstanding levels of customer service. If you have any queries, please get in touch.
James Gilbert & Son specialises in high quality decorative metalwork. We are the world's oldest manufacturer of decorative metal grilles. Over the last 135 years we've produced architectural quality metal works for some of the biggest brands on the planet, yet we don't forget our roots nor our smaller customers.
We use manufacturing, polishing and patinating techniques that we have honed to perfection for over a century, alongside contemporary engineering technologies.
At the centre of our business are decorative grilles including hand woven-wire and regency grilles, decorative screens and panels with associated frames and decorative metalwork. These grace some of the finest hospitality and entertainment venues, public buildings and private residences the length and breadth of the U.K. and beyond.
We have expanded our core range to produce products which befit modern living; offering a greater range of materials, designs and finishes than ever before. This range includes floor grilles, air conditioning grilles, air vents, radiator covers, decorative screens, frames, inlays, endings, cladding materials, security products, shelving systems, furniture, fittings and much more.
We are always using our knowledge and experience to bring innovative products and metal processing techniques to the market and our 2016 range includes a whole portfolio of new materials designed to contrast and compliment our metalwork. The location of our central London works makes us ideally located for supplying high quality decorative metalwork at short notice to satisfy the fast paced requirements of London’s design and construction industries.
We provide a fully comprehensive decorative metalwork manufacturing service. Our brass, bronze and steel products including radiator and floor grilles, furniture, fixtures and fittings are dispatched all over the world. We work with architects, interior designers, construction contractors and fit out companies, product designers and private clients on contemporary and historic projects where a high standard and attention to detail are required. We are more than happy to instruct and advise your on site contractors to ensure fitted products are applied correctly. With our extensive experience of processing and chemically treating metals, all our decorative metal grilles and associated decorative metal products can be treated to make the finish match the style and era of the project. We also colour match existing finishes if samples of original pieces are supplied. We have fully equipped metal working facilities with both historic and state-of-the-art machinery, which means our skilled craftsmen can truly fulfil your decorative interior and architectural metalwork requirements.
Whether your project involves the restoration of a single item – such as the supply of a single radiator grille - or the complete refurbishment of a modern department store or chain of historic hotels, please send us details of the project now including measurements, photographs, architectural drawings, CAD files, pdf’s, sketches on envelopes, pipe cleaner models, vague notions and loose concepts are all accepted as starting points. The best results are achieved when we are included in the early stages of a project from where we are happy to advise and be on hand to help all the way through to completion. Let us initiate the discussion as to how we can help you now, and we look forward to working with you!
We guarantee that you will be more than happy with our decorative grilles. If you have any queries, please get in touch.
