FAQ

Most Frequently Asked Questions

How can we help you?

Frequently asked questions

Material

Aluminum, cold rolled steel, hot rolled steel, stainless steel, and Cor-ten (weathering) steel

Aluminum: .125 / .160 / .187 / .25
Steel: 10 ga. / 12 ga. / 14ga.
Depending on product type and structural requirements.

Load More

Sizing / Forming

Guardrails and fences are typically 4’ width max. The max size of cost effective panels is 9’6” x 4’6” with 2” flanges at 4 sides. It is possible to go to 11’6” x 4’6” with 3” flanges on 4 sides. Oversized sheets are available, but there is an added cost.

Please review ‘‘How to spec our product to be most cost effective’’ on our website. There are ways to get the most out of the sheet sizes and avoid excess waste by configuring the panels layout. The most efficient use of raw material is to design panels that include face and edge forming to fit standard sheet sizes.

Our systems are designed to reduce or eliminate secondary structural support. Our brake-formed return flanges on panel edges increase the structural integrity of the panel face and gives the optimal hardware attachment point. We have pre-designed/engineered brackets for mounting formed panels. Please see ‘PRODUCTS’ for our standardized products and corresponding bracket type in downloadable product sheet.

Load More

Finish

The most popular finish we provide is powder coating (Tiger Drylac Series 38 or IGP). This is a 2-coat process, primer plus color top coat, and available in a wide array of colors. This has a 5 year color and gloss warranty.

We also provide:
– Kynar finish in 2 or 3 coats. Color matching is available in Kynar. 10 to 20 year warranties available.
– Anodize finish from clear to dark bronze

Load More

Lead Time

After the final shop drawing approval, with final field verification, it is approximately 5-7 weeks with powder coating; 7-8 weeks with Anodize or Kynar finish.

Load More

Installers

Yes, in SF Bay Area, Seattle and in Southern California we have BŌK preferred installers.

Our products are very easy to install. We can work with your installer or miscellaneous metal team by walking them through the installation methods via video call or conference call. See installation videos found on each product type page.

Load More

Samples

Due to our large pattern library, we don’t stock samples of every pattern. Please inquire about a pattern you like and we can propose a similar one we have in stock.

We can produce made to order samples in one of our standard patterns, or in a custom pattern (.DXF vector file required) at 24”x 24” with pattern at full scale. Made to order samples are $250 unfinished and take approximately two weeks, or finished in a standard stock color for $400 in approximately four weeks.

Yes, you can order color chips. Please note that lead time for each color sample is as following:

– Powder Coat (Tiger Drylac): 3-5 days for in stock* (up to 3 color selections)
– Kynar**: 10-15 days (up to 3 colors in PPG / Duranar)
– Anodizing: 5-7 days (for clear or bronze anodize)

* Out of stock colors may have to be sourced from the factory at 5-8 day lead times.
** Custom colors paint chips will be provided when needed for contracted projects.
Please contact BŌK Modern if you need special samples ordered for a specific project.

Load More

Pricing

Please provide all relative drawings (plan, elevation, section, detail, etc.) and specs (material, thickness, finish, pattern, flanges) to ensure the most accurate estimate. Please note that we cannot provide final estimate or go into contract until 100% CD is provided. Our estimate lead time is approximately 5-10 days depending on the complexity of the project.

Please provide your CD or SD package for a ROM number. This has a much faster lead time.

Load More

Volume

Yes, but small orders do not enjoy the economies of scale that the large runs of mass-manufactured panels do.

Load More

Patterns

The rough scale of the pattern is shown by the human figure behind the panel. We can provide the pattern file upon request so the client may dimension the perforations, but the pattern may be scaled up or down to the client’s liking. Generally scaling a pattern down, with more numerous, smaller perforations drives cost upwards.

Yes, all stock patterns can be scaled, rotated, etc. Scaling the pattern down may add cost due to more perforations per square foot.

Yes, please send us a .DXF of the vector work (arcs- not splines or polylines). We will then evaluate it for pricing.

It depends on the pattern. If the custom pattern requires added laser time, the cost will increase. In many cases custom patterns do not add cost. If we are unable to fabricate the custom pattern provided, we would recommend ways to make it work by providing our fabrication guidelines. If you do not have a .DXF of the vector work, our design team can create this file, but as an added design service cost.

All patterns are judged solely on the machine cutting time. Simple patterns are less expensive, complex patterns go up in price. The delta is usually a 20% difference between simplest and most complex.

The minimum perforation size needs to be at least 2x the material thickness. So, 3/8” on 3/16” material. There is no max perforation size, except where code dictates – e.g. 4” sphere rule for guardrails. The webbing or material between perforations also needs to be 2x material thickness or greater for strength and to reduce deflection on the panel face.

Simple patterns that have a standard, geometric design are the least expensive when laser-cut. Examples are: A18, B9, and B21.

We cannot guarantee that any of our patterns are not climbable. However, we can suggest vertical patterns with fewer openings that are less conducive to climbing. While each jurisdiction will have its own unique code, we are often able to alter a pattern from our library that would discourage climbing. Scaling down with more perforations may increase the cost of fabrication.

Sometimes code requires a 50% opening. We have indicated percent open and our suggested patterns for garage screens. You may also be able to alter an original pattern to a 50% opening by altering the size and spacing of perforations.

If the pattern is fully contained on the panel, there needs to be enough material to hold off the bent edge. At least ¾” in most cases, dependent upon material thickness.

In some cases, especially for screens, it is possible to eliminate the borders and bleed the pattern around the formed edge of the panel for a seamless look.

Each pattern page shows the % openness for that pattern. If you like a specific pattern and would like more % opening, we can customize this for you. You’ll also need to consider other factors, such as 4” maximum opening for balcony guardrails and deflection of the panels if there’s too much opening.

Load More

Design Service

We provide design-assist service during the estimating phase. We provide a design contract for projects that require our design service for a longer period. Please inquire for a design contract assessment of your project.*

* DESIGN CONTRACTS ARE ALSO NECESSARY FOR ENGINEERING SITUATIONS OUTSIDE OF OUR STANDARD PRODUCTS.

Load More

Specification of BŌK Modern products

Standardize the panel types as much as you can. More units of fewer types drives cost down. Use a repeat pattern or combination of patterns vs. a continuous pattern with an image. Each change in panel type, variations in pattern, or edge detailing create a new panel type, resulting in added cost.

Simple geometric shapes and moderately sized openings are more efficient to cut. More organic, compact, intricately shaped designs are possible, but add to machine time and cost. Please see pattern library for our standardized patterns or contact BŌK Modern to talk you through guidelines for designing a custom, cost effective pattern.

Panels with the exact same features (size, material, forming, finish, color, pattern layout, orientation, etc.) are considered the same ‘type’. Changes in any of previously mentioned features will result in a different panel type. More panel types means we require more hours to complete shop drawings and to adjust machinery during fabrication, hence resulting in higher cost more than a job with fewer panel types, even with the same panel count.

We have a line of standardized products with pre-engineered detail and mounting brackets. Our standardized products are:

– Juliet Balcony
– Flush Balcony
– Modular Fence Designs
– Divider/Gate
– Stair Guardrail
– Wall/Green Screen
– Canopy
– Sunshade
– Interior Room Partition
– Rainscreen
– Balcony Guardrail

Please visit ‘PRODUCTS’ on our website for product information and downloadable product sheets. Please contact BŌK Modern if you have any questions regarding how to incorporate our standardized details into your project.

Load More