Thread: Question about cemetary gate finials (metal or plastic) ???

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Greetings all,

I am trying to decide what finials to put atop my cemetary fence I made from the step-by-step instructions on this forum.

The writer of the tutorial supplied this link for plastic ones:

Steel Supply, L.P.

Then someone else who build their own fence supplied me with this link to metal ones: Ornamental Iron Fence Supplies: ornamental iron fence Finials, Ornamental Cast Iron Fence Spears, Ironworks, 1/2” square

My question is ... has anyone ordered from either of these companies and also is there a benifit for going with either plastic or metal? Obviously the plastic ones are lighter ... but does that matter?

Please advise.

Thanks.

I would go with the plastic ones, lots cheaper and looks just as good, light so storage is easier....

Yeah, what Scott said!

plastic is the way to go.

yep agreed thanks for that website to i was looking for some caps

This is where I got mine from - they were awesome to deal with.

Kings

Plastic for me,although I bought a couple iron ones (large) for the corners and they rust up real nice.
Pete

I have been in need of some plastic fenials too. Can anyone tell me what is the appropriate size for 1/2 inch pvc? I don't want to order 200 of the wrong size. Thanks in advance.

Alucard,

1/2 pvc or the grey electrical plastic conduit generally is measured from the "INSIDE" diameter of the whole. Most finials come in square fitting base ... round ones are available but they are generally more money (couple pennies) ... the square base accepts a 1/2" diameter square peg.

If the finials don't fit over the tops of your pvc smoothly (round peg in a square hole) ... I have seen people: A.) jam it onto the pvc pipe apply either gorilla glue or pvc cement or B.) cut 2-3" 1/2 dowels that cement into the square hole of the final but then insert easily into the pvc pipe ... which cane also be glued, or put a very thin layer of tape around the dowel so it fits into the pvc snugly (strong enough to hold it in place, but it can be removed easily after usage for easy storage of your fence).

Hope this helps.

I used the metal finials. These were the only ones available at the time. The bases of mine fit inside a 3/4" pvc pipe. The 3/4" PVC looks great from a distance with the tops installed. If I had to do it again, I would go with the plastic. The reasons are that shipping would be cheaper, and the price would a lot less.

I have checked into the plastic ones and they look just as good.