Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Quoting and Product Details:
In general, we need the following:
Panel dimensions (width and length)
Panel thickness
How you intend to mount the panel
Overall amount of panels
Panel design
Panel color
Having all these ensures we can send a quote to you quickly. If you have several panel variations, please specify the above for each variation.
In addition to all the usual information, please tell us the overall length of the project and/or the total number of panels.
If you can, please consult a contractor and have them contact us with the project details.
If you know how you want to arrange the panels and the posts (for example, you can mount the panels in front of the post, covering it, or sideways, leaving the post visible) please tell us as it helps us provide the quote faster.
If you can, please attach a sketch or a project plan.
Yes, we can cut a panel into a shape and adjust the design if needed.
If you require a panel like this, please submit the following measurements:
ALL panel dimensions (the exact length of EACH panel side)
Measurements of ALL the interior angles
If you can, please submit a sketch with all the above marked on it
Our maximum sheet size is 5.0’ x 10.0’ (60” x 120”, or approx. 1.5 m x 3 m), so all panels need to fit into these maximum dimensions. If you have a space larger than that, please let us know if we can split it into several panels.
In general, our standard ⅛” thickness is more than enough for most applications.
If you would like a sturdier panel for things such as gates or taller custom fence toppers, you might want to consider the 3/16” thickness.
If you would like an especially durable panel, we can offer panels in ¼” aluminum.
The thickest material we have is ⅜” aluminum, but we recommend using it only when your project explicitly requires it.
Our decorative steel panels have the same thickness range as our aluminum panels, but do keep in mind that they are all heavier and will eventually rust when exposed to water.
If you need color samples, you can purchase a pack of 3 samples directly through our website. One pack includes 3 individual sample chips sized 2” x 3” which are made of the same ⅛” thick aluminum we use for our panels.
Please specify the colors of EACH of the three samples in the Notes during check-out so that we can put them all together correctly.
If you need thickness samples, please specify the sample thickness in the Notes instead. We have samples of ⅛”, 3/16”, ¼”, and ⅜” thick aluminum available.
We do not provide design samples as we scale each design separately when making custom orders. You can consult the black-and-white images in the product listings as they are made from the same files we use during panel manufacturing.
As part of our working process, we provide you with proofs, 2D black-and-white images of your custom panels, after the invoice has been paid. For panels of standard sizes, the black-and-white images can be found in product listings.
We do not provide 3D visualizations of our panels.
We do not usually provide shop drawings, project files optimized for our laser cutter, or the such, as these are used for internal manufacturing and are visually represented by the proofs.
However, if it is a hard requirement for your company to pass an inspection, we can provide you with shop drawings. If you also require the panels to pass an engineering inspection, you have the following options:
You can purchase our standard Engineered Panel(s). These are panels that are 35.88” wide by 68” tall, and their construction and designs have been evaluated by a certified engineer to meet standards in regards to wind resistance, sizes of design openings, mounting, etc. We are able to provide certification documents upon request. Please make sure that you inspect the documents and verify that the panels meet the engineering code standards for your municipality
You can submit your own approved shop drawings to us and we will manufacture the panels to your standards
IF YOU ARE IN ONTARIO: We are able to provide engineered drawings upon request and at an additional fee.
Order Process
- Full name/Company name
- Billing address
- Shipping address, if different from above
- Phone number
- E-mail address
We send you an initial quote and figure out the details. Once you agree to a quote, we issue you an invoice. After you make a payment, we start working on proofs. When you are satisfied with the proof, we start the manufacturing.
For all customers in Canada:
We accept Interac E-transfer payable to: (paylasercutarts@gmail.com)
We accept Visa and Mastercard credit cards
You can also pay via Apple Pay/Google Pay/PayPal
For all customers in the USA:
We accept Visa and Mastercard credit cards
You can also pay via Apple Pay/Google Pay/PayPal
Aluminum is by itself a lightweight material, and depending on the design there are also large cutouts taken out of the panel. Our standard panels are manufactured using ⅛” thick aluminum which makes the weight approximately 1 pound per square foot when the design is taken into account:
24” x 36” = approx. 6-7 lbs
24” x 48” = approx. 8-9 lbs
24” x 60” = approx. 10-11 lbs
36” x 48” = approx. 12-13 lbs
36” x 36” = approx. 9-10 lbs
36” x 60” = approx. 15-16 lbs
48” x 48” = approx. 12-13 lbs
You should expect the full process to take approximately 3-4 weeks. During this time we confirm the quote, create and send you a design proof, and manufacture the panel after you give your approval. We notify you once the product is ready for shipping/pickup.
We use standard shipping, which takes approximately 3-7 days, depending on how busy the shipping company is at this time and on your location. Shipping times are subject to the carrier's schedules, and there may be unexpected delays due to weather, holidays, or high shipping volumes. We provide you with a tracking number and it is your responsibility to track the package.
If you know you will not be able to receive the package during a certain time period (for example, if you are leaving for a vacation), you can contact us and provide us with a return date. We will temporarily hold the package and ship it later so that it arrives when you are back.
Panel Installation and Mounting
Aluminum is a highly durable metal that does not rust! The panel will withstand exposure to sunlight, rainfall, and frequent changes in temperature without sustaining any damage to the physical appearance or functionality of the panel. It is also a significantly more lightweight metal, making it easier to ship and install.
This depends on the type of mounting option you selected. If the panel has pre-drilled holes, you can use nails or screws to attach the panel directly to a flat surface. If the panel has mounting tabs or flanges, you can use screws to fit the panel into a frame or attach it to a post or a wall.
We make our decorative panels in a way that simplifies the installation process, but it also means that they can be mounted almost anywhere. Because of this, we suggest that you consult with either a contractor or someone who specializes in mounting hardware.
Our product is shipped across both Canada and the US, and we don’t know the availability or suitability of every type of mounting hardware that can be used for our panels. We do not want to provide incorrect information, so we can only suggest that you use screws of an appropriate size intended for your mounting surface.
Sandwiching the panel means taking a flat panel and making a frame for it (usually with wood). The panel gets sandwiched between two such frames, hence the name. This allows you to make the panel into an insert, gives it structural support, and allows you to use a smaller panel to fit a larger space without worrying about perfect clearance.
All standard panels come with pre-drilled holes around the perimeter of the panel. The holes are 0.2” (5mm) in diameter and are used to secure the panel to a flat surface with nails/screws. They are also known as Option 1.
Countersink holes (Option 2) are similar to pre-drilled holes, except that the screws will be more discrete. Countersunk holes allow the head of the screw to fit flush with the surface of the panel, and are intended for those who want to mask the mounting method as much as possible.
Mounting tabs (Option 3) are used to help mount the panel to a surface that is not a flat wall, for example, to wooden posts. They are usually ¾”-1.0” long, cut as part of the panel, and are bent 90 degrees away from the body of the panel. You can see a visualization if you look at “Option 3” on the Decorative Privacy Screens page. We can provide a photo example upon request.
Flanges (Option 4) are a 90-degree bent “strip” on one or more sides of the panel. The flange runs the entire length of the side, and is usually either 1.25” or 1.5” in length (though we have made longer and shorter ones when needed). A flange adds stability, rigidity, makes the panel sturdier overall, and is the best option for fences, screens, and more see-through pieces. Another benefit of having a flange is that the panels can be attached to each other directly without having to mount them to a post.
Add-ons 1 and 2 (previously known as Options 5 and 6) are square aluminum posts that can be used for mounting gates or panels (or purchased separately because you need a post). We can supply posts that are 2”, 2.5”, or 3” wide, of varying heights, and with or without a welded base plate. The wall width of the post is ⅛”.
Posts with a welded base plate are referred to as Add-on 1, and are also known as free-standing posts.
Posts without a welded base plate are referred to as Add-on 2, and are also known as in-ground or side-mounting posts.
Welded frame (Add-on 3, or, previously, Option 7) is a square aluminum frame to which the panel of your choice is welded to. It can be used when you need a panel that looks like a screen, or prefer that your frame be made of the same material as the panel. It is also similar to how our gates look.
Standoff caps, or spacers, are approximately ¾” long cylinders that you can drill onto the wall and then secure the panel on top to create some distance between the wall and the panel. This makes the panel look more three-dimensional and you can add lights behind the panel to further accentuate the design. Otherwise, the panel would be drilled directly onto the wall making it appear flat.
These are also known as Add-on 4, and were previously called Option 8.
As our product can be used in several ways, we cannot assume the way of installation. We also ship across Canada and the US, and we don’t know each and every brand that might be sold locally, or the availability of certain types of mounting hardware.
We can provide mounting hardware if requested, but we require info on how you are planning to install the panels (surface, material, intended use, etc.) In general, our panels were made with ease of installation in mind, so using mounting hardware intended for your surface (wood, concrete, etc.) that fits the pre-drilled holes is the best way to go.
If you have specific questions, please include as much info as you can and reach out to us.
Panel Colors and Powdercoating
Powder coating is a finishing process where the colored powder is applied to the panel with electrostatic charge and then cured in the oven. This makes the coating durable, scratch-resistant, and suitable for outside use. We use it over traditional metal paint as it doesn’t flake, is easier to maintain, and can keep its beautiful appearance for years and years.
As we use powder coating and not traditional paint, we can’t offer any kind of touch-ups, as powder coating is applied to the entire panel at the same time. We recommend visiting a local hardware store and searching for spray paint intended for metals, as they may have similarly colored swatches and should match closely enough to cover the scratch.
Unfortunately, no. This is not possible as we use powder coating to apply the color to the panel. The powder coating process coats the entire panel in one colour and then binds the pigment to the metal through a special baking process, so we can’t mix colors as we could using traditional paint.
We can quote you on a custom color, but we will need you to provide a RAL/powder color code, and all the specifications (ex: glossy or matte finish). We cannot guarantee an exact color match if you provide us with a paint swatch. There will also be a fee associated with using a custom powder coating color.
Delivery via Freight Shipping
Freight shipping is a form of product delivery by ship, train, or truck. We turn to freight shipping instead of standard courier shipments when the product weighs more than 150 lbs and/or when the product’s dimensions are too large. Our freight company provides us with the best possible freight quote and dependable truck couriers that safely deliver our skids to the right customer.
A skid is a form of packaging. It is a crate that is custom made for your product(s) and it allows the shipment to arrive to you in the best possible condition.
We use freight shipping when your product(s) exceed standard sizes requirements and are, therefore, not eligible for standard shipping. Please tell us the shipping address and specify if it is located in a residential or commercial area.
Appointment is included and the carrier will contact you to arrange the delivery. The carrier will provide you with a list of available delivery dates. The tailgate may or may not be available.
If the client cannot accept the freight on any of the provided dates, storage fees will be charged at the carrier's additional discretion (ex. $75 per day), which are to be paid by the client. LaserCutArts Inc will not be covering the cost, as we confirm the delivery window with you before we ship the skid, and you tell us when you are available to receive the package.
After the truck arrives with the skid, if there is no tailgate available to offload the skid off the truck, the offload process should be completed within the first 30 minutes by the client. Any excess time will be charged at the carrier's hourly rate, paying for which is your responsibility.
We will inform you whether the tailgate is available or not in advance. Please make sure you have the tools or manpower necessary to offload the skid by the date of delivery.
All products are insured. Please inspect the skid upon delivery. If there are any damages to the skid and/or the product the damages have to be documented and reported to the driver at the time of delivery. The damages have to be put on file by the driver so we could proceed with the damage claim. If the product is damaged you have the right not to accept the skid.
United States Customs require an Importer Identity Form to be filled out if we ship a freight package to an individual who lives in the USA. The United States Customs Clearance requires the SSN of that individual for the Importer Identity Form to be validated. Without it, the freight skid will not be cleared by US Customs to cross the border from Canada to the USA. All information remains strictly confidential and is only used for border clearance.
If you are uncomfortable with providing your SSN for the documents, you can apply for a CBP assigned number through US Customs instead. You can get it by emailing CEE-CONSUMER@CBP.DHS.gov and requesting a CBP number. After you receive it, please forward that number to us so we can fill out the Importer Identity Form.
On-site Measurements and Installations
Our team can take on-site measurements for the GTA of Ontario. Please provide us with an address if you would like a visit.
Site visit fees start at $150 and depend on site location, the size of the area, and the amount of measurements we have to take. Site visit fees are non-refundable.
During the site visit, installers will discuss project details with you and take measurements. Afterwards, we go over the measurements and provide you with an initial quote. Once the quote is finalized, we begin the manufacturing process.
We offer installation services in the GTA of Ontario. Please provide us with an address if you would like us to install the panels.
If we have previously done a site visit, the cost of the installation is reduced by $150. The total cost of the installation varies and is affected by the overall size of the installation, the total amount of panels, and by the complexity of labor involved.
If your installation includes in-ground posts, we can perform post hole drilling at an additional fee.