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What causes black soot on glass?
Without knowing how long the lanterns
have been lit, it is challenging to pinpoint the cause. With normal usage
and over time, a gray fog will appear inside the glass. Heavy carbon build
up over a short period of time is not "normal" and is a strong indicator of
poor design and/or manufacturing.
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How do I clean the glass and the
fixture, and how often should I do it?
Turn off the gas and allow
the fixture to cool down. While it cools, gather a few supplies: a ladder,
lighter, Windex (or its equivalent) and 100% cotton towels. For lamps with
silicone that keeps the glass in place: Spray the inside of the glass & wipe
thoroughly. Wipe down the exterior of the lamp & bracket with a damp, soft
towel. Spray the outside of the glass & wipe thoroughly. Look at the lamp
from different angles and wipe away any smudges or streaks. If you can
easily remove the glass panes, use S.O.S. pads (or their equivalent). Do not
use plastic abrasive pads - they scratch! Please be careful; glass edges are
extremely sharp. For stubborn mineral deposits, use a flat razor blade to
scrape away the residue, then clean the glass with steel wool. (Chemical
cleaners rarely work.) Replace the glass and re-light the fixture. As far as
frequency is concerned, every 2 to 3 months is ideal.
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Am I supposed to turn off the fixtures during the day?
Lanterns with mantle
assemblies and open-flame gas lamps are meant to run all the time. You can
turn them off & re-light them if you desire; it is time consuming to do so
on a daily basis.
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Are the beautiful light fixtures in Europe available?
Our
resource has been casting old world light poles, Paris street lighting, and
Renaissance lighting since the early 1800s. Some lend themselves to gas
conversion and others do not. These fixtures are exquisite and carry a price
tag that reflects the craftsmanship. Allow a few months for fabrication and
overseas shipping.
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Can I put a gaslight inside my house?
We have done interior
lighting on numerous occasions and usually they grace the dining room or the
den / fireplace room. Indoor lanterns must have a safety device which
automatically shuts off the gas if the flame goes out. We do not recommend
using l.p. for indoor lighting.
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Do I get a designer or builder discount?
We
do not offer builder or designer discounts; the lamps are the same price for
homeowners, architects, designers, contractors, and builders. If ten or more
fixtures are ordered, a 10% volume discount applies. Custom orders, however,
are not discounted.
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Do you refurbish antiques?
Yes, we perform antique light
refurbishing. Some clients prefer that the minimum be done to the fixture in
order to retain the very old appearance, and some prefer a complete
overhaul. If it is to be gas, we do recommend that they be stripped and
re-finished for durability. Many lamps are made of steel and if there is a
great deal of corrosion, an open flame or gas mantles will only exacerbate
the rusting process. Some fixtures have so much corrosion that we cannot
make improvements without fabricating new parts. Each antique lamp is
unique, and each one presents its own challenges. In each case, we strive to
create improvements that look as though they have always been a part of the
fixture.
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Do you sell coach lights?
Many people refer to
any wall-mounted lamp as a coach lamp, and genuine coach lights in good
condition are a rare find. Original coach lamps were used on horse drawn
carriages and were fueled by whale oil, kerosene, and later by acetylene. A
handful of clients have brought in actual coach lamps, which were modified
into open flame gas lamps, re-finished, and installed on each side of the
front door.
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How do I determine the correct size?
A good rule of thumb: the
bigger the house, the bigger the fixture. Remember, up close the lamp may
look huge but, from a distance, a 42" lantern does not look so big on a 25'
wall. Bear in mind perspective while shopping for exterior lighting. Some
clients make cardboard cut outs and hold them up to determine size, while
some visit a showroom in their area and carry out a comparably sized
fixture. Be prepared to give a credit card number to cover any glass
breakage or damage to the fixture(s) while in your possession.
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How do I know if the flame is too high?
A properly burning lamp will
have a generous flame without producing carbon build-up on the upper glass
panels. Sometimes, the glass will break. Ideally, valves should be fully
open. If you are having to reduce the flame size in order to the dark
by-products, the lamp either requires service or has been poorly designed /
manufactured.
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How do I tell which
style lantern best suits my home?
Consider the basic
structure of your home, the roofline, entryway, presence / absence of
ironwork, landscaping, etc. As you look at different light fixtures, find a
detail that mirrors a detail of your home, a common element that ties the
two together. The subtle consistencies seem to produce the most appealing
effects. If you prefer, send us a photograph or a copy of your plans and we
will assist in dissecting various design / environmental factors in order to
guide you in the decision making process. This really is the fun part...
choosing the perfect lantern!
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How much light does a gaslight
put off?
Open-flame lanterns
radiate a soft, flickering, yellow / orange glow and will illuminate the
immediate area. The lumens output may vary. Open-flame lamps are for effect
and charm, and many clients install landscape and / or recessed lighting to
brighten up the home and yard. The output of gas mantles (dual inverted
assembly) is approximately 1360 lumens, or 100 watts.
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I found wall sconces with original gas burners. Will
they work?
Without proper testing, that is a
difficult question to answer. It is best to discover what is required by
your plumbing code and work with a reputable resource.
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I have an antique fixture. Can it be gas?
Some antique fixtures
lend themselves to gas conversion, and many do not. Local clients bring in
their fixtures, and out of town clients ship to our store in order for us to
determine if they are good candidates for gas lanterns. If you are
considering antique lighting for use as gas sconces, please consult a gas
lighting expert prior to spending your money.
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My gaslight blows
out all the time. Is that normal?
Automatic dimmers are available for post mounted lamps and may be
incorporated with most dual mantle assemblies. Solar energy causes the
lantern to dim at dawn and brighten at dusk.
We offer an ignition system for wall mounted lamps and standard burner
assemblies (with or without safety devices) for wall, post, and pendant
fixtures.
Neither open flame burners nor ignition systems are sold separately. We do,
however, sell single upright, dual, triple, and quadruple inverted mantle
assemblies.
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What are the lamps made out of?
Some lanterns are fabricated
of cast aluminum, brass, or a combination of the two. Most handcrafted
lanterns are made bronze. The M Model is crafted of copper. Very small
fixtures that are available only as electric have acrylic lenses. Otherwise,
we offer double-strength clear, seeded, decorative, and beveled glass in the
gas and electric lights. The brackets are powder-coated steel.
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What do you mean by "architectural lighting?"
Architecture is defined
as "the science or art of designing and erecting structures," or "a style or
method of construction." The purpose of architectural custom lighting is to
embellish and enhance the existing structure, and to be a detailed design
element or focal point that serves as more than a light source, spot light,
or utility light.
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What if my gaslight blows out?
Open-flame gas lamps
will blow out in extreme weather conditions. Should that occur, please
remember that natural gas is lighter than air, dissipates quickly, and a
"cloud" does not accumulate.
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What is traditional lighting?
"Traditional" would
depend on the architecture. A Victorian home would traditionally use
Victorian style lighting, as would a Colonial, Federalist, or Tudor style
home. If you wish to stay within the period's style, you may consider
consulting books from your local library or browsing the internet. Your
architect or designer may be able to provide information or resources, and
there are a number of period lighting publications in book stores. Using
different architectural elements is common, and in that case most clients
choose what looks best given the various combinations.
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What kind of warranty do you offer?
We service our lights
exclusively. In Houston and its surrounding areas, if within a year of
purchase your fixture exhibits diminished performance, we will service the
lamp and replace any necessary parts at no charge. After 1 year, a service
call will apply. If fittings / hardware are changed by the plumber /
installer, the warranty is voided and a service call, parts, and labor will
apply. We cannot assume responsibility for unfortunate events (freight
mishaps, an installer's poor judgment) or acts of Mother Nature. The
finishes do not carry a warranty. Our lanterns have powder-coated or
chemical finishes that are durable and withstand the heat and corrosiveness
of an open flame in conjunction with exposure to the elements. Please
remember that anything that remains outside will not look perfect forever.
Regular cleaning and maintenance will keep your lamp (s) functioning well
and beautiful.
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Who are your customers?
Gas lighting has
limitless applications, and homeowners, designers, builders, and architects
all over the country seek our services. We do residential lighting, whether
it is a remodel or new construction. We've done commercial lighting in
business parks, retail establishments, and churches. Restaurant custom
lighting has become more and more popular; some eateries in Houston include
Tasca, Kim Son, and Guadalajara. Our work can be seen at Brewzzi's in Boca
Raton and Nick's in Las Vegas.
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Who installs the fixtures?
Most of our clients prefer
that we install the lanterns. We will not, however, install fixtures
purchased elsewhere. The builder or architect should be able to provide /
refer a plumber to do the installation and we resolutely encourage you to
ask for references. Also, please communicate with your architect, builder,
or contractor regarding plumbing codes in your area; gaslights are
considered gas-burning appliances.
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Who installs the fixtures?
Most of our clients prefer
that we install the lanterns. We will not, however, install fixtures
purchased elsewhere. The builder or architect should be able to provide /
refer a plumber to do the installation and we resolutely encourage you to
ask for references. Also, please communicate with your architect, builder,
or contractor regarding plumbing codes in your area; gaslights are
considered gas-burning appliances.
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Why are there different names for open flames?
People love naming
things. You may have come across a "batwing" flame, a "triple crown" flame,
a "maple leaf" flame, "candle" flame, etc. Basically, an open flame has
smooth, outer edges that fan upward, and a flickering, jagged top.
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Why are they expensive?
As with most products, a
spectrum exists; at one end are the cheapest (not necessarily the worst
product on the market), at the other are the most expensive (not necessarily
the best product on the market. If selection, options, performance,
attention to detail, customer service, and technical support are considered
"value for the dollar," we are confident that our pricing and product line
are peerless.
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Why do you use bronze instead of copper?
It depends on the fixture,
and the method of construction dictates which metal we use. For our intents
and purposes, bronze remains superior to copper.
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