Question 1

Do your trellises rust?

Accepted Answer

All of our trellises are made of aluminum, which is a non-rusting metal. Additionally, unless "mill finish" (meaning unfinished or not powder coated) is selected, our trellises are powder coated to further protect them from the elements. Although aluminum does NOT rust, it can oxidize if left unprotected. Aluminum oxide is different than iron oxide (rust). It is actually hard, and does not flake, serving as a protective coating for the aluminum. So, even if an aluminum trellis' powder coating became chipped over years of use, the metal would not break down in the same way that steel would. Aluminum oxide is not red in color, it just gives the bare metal a hazy appearance, but again, this is not truly an issue for items that are powder coated.

Question 2

What type of finish is on the trellises?

Accepted Answer

Unless "mill finish" (which is unfinished, bare metal) is selected, all of our trellises are powder coated. All of our powder coated finishes have high UV, moisture and salt spray ratings, and have been rigorously tested for durability in harsh climates. Testing includes: humidity resistance, corrosion resistance, and outdoor resistance. All of our products resist blistering, loss of adhesion, chalking, loss of gloss and loss of color or fading. 
 
We are commonly asked if they will hold up in climates such as hot and humid Florida, dry and hot Arizona, locations hear the ocean (salty) and/or the harsh winters of northern states. The answer is YES to all. These coatings are extremely durable and will hold up for many years in a variety of climates. We are located in Florida and have a great deal of experience in making products that are durable for year-round, intense sun, salty air, and high humidity / moisture.
 
For more information about aluminum, see the previous question.

Question 3

How heavy are the trellises?

Accepted Answer

Since we fabricate our trellises from aluminum, they are far more lightweight than steel. To give you an idea on the weight, a standard 65" x 27" trellis weighs about 8lbs. This is about half the weight of a steel trellis of the same size, which makes them perfect for wall mounting.
 
Don't be fooled by aluminum's lighter weight. All of our trellises are extremely strong and durable and can support almost any vining plants.  
 
We offer both wall mounted and staked versions of all of our trellises. Longer (12") stakes are recommended for supporting the larger trellises, if they will be free-standing and not against a wall or fence. If you have a need for longer stakes and/or special installation hardware, we're happy to offer other options.

Question 4

Should I choose Wall Mounts, Stakes, or Stakes + 2 Upper Support Wall Mounts?"

Accepted Answer

INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLATION IS INCLUDED WITH EACH TRELLIS, INCLUDING ILLUSTRATIONS TO HELP YOU, SO DON'T WORRY IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER EVERYTHING HERE. :)
 
Wall Mounts:
When the wall mount option is selected, 4 wall brackets will be included with each trellis. We recommened 2 on the top and 2 on the bottom of each trellis, however, if your wall surface does not allow for this, you can also use the wall mounts on the sides. 
 
The trellis will not be pre-drilled to attach the wall mounts. This is to allow you the flexibility of attaching it at any point which offers the best and most support, depending on your wall surface. Self drilling screws are included to attach each wall mount to the trellis. 
 
Screws for attaching the wall mounts to the wall or fence are NOT INCLUDED. This is due to the vast variety of wall surfaces which include: many varities of wood, stucco, block, brick, etc. If you need help selecting screws for your wall surface, let us know.
 
Standard Wall Mounts have a 2.5" offset from the wall, meaning that the back of the trellis is 2.5" from the wall surface. The trellis is 1" thick, so the face of the trellis to the wall will be 3.5".
 
Wall mount installation will normally require a hand drill.
 
Stakes:
We offer 2 standard lengths of stakes: 12" and 8". If your ground surface is extremely hard, you may wish to choose 8" stakes. If you have softer ground, or if you are selecting a larger trellis, it may be best to select 12" stakes. The stakes will not be attached when the trellis arrives. Attaching them is easy, and only requires 2 screws per stake (included), a screwdriver or hand drill.
 
Stakes + 2 Upper Support Wall Mounts:
If you are installing your trellis against a wall or fence, you may decide to choose stakes + wall mounts. This is a great option, since the trellis will be supported with the stakes, as well as the wall mounts. Keep in mind that our standard wall mounts provide a 2.5" offset from the wall, so make sure this will work with your installation. (2.5" from the back of the trellis to the wall)

Question 5

Do the trellises require assembly?

Accepted Answer

Some do and some do not.
 
The larger trellises (extra-large / jumbo / large) do require assembly. Each trellis comes in 2-5 equal size panels which assembly easily with the assembly hardware screws (all included) and a small drill or screwdriver. Instructions are included. Yes, they are extremely sturdy once assembled. 
 
The smaller size trellises do not require assembly, aside from the attachment of the stakes or wall mounts.

Question 6

Why are the larger trellises made in 2 or more panels that require assembly?

Accepted Answer

We designed the "assembly required" 2 or more panel larger trellises to make it possible to offer them at a reasonable cost. Both FedEx and UPS Ground shipping have limits on package size before they are categorized as "oversized" packages. Once a package is over this size limit, the cost can increase by as much as $250 per trellis to ship. Some sizes would require freight shipping, which is even more expensive ($400+ additional).
 
This is one of the main reasons why many items you buy for your home or garden arrive with "assembly required", including furniture.
 
If you are interested in purchasing a larger trellis in a 1 panel, no assembly required option, just let us know and we will be happy to provide you with a cost estimate.

Question 7

Are your trellises made in the U.S.?

Accepted Answer

Yes, every product we sell is individually handcrafted in our workshop, located in Sarasota, FL. We are not always the fastest :), but we take great pride in our work and never choose speed over quality.

We are a small, family owned and operated business. We handle all customer service, fabrication (including welding and powder coating, etc) of each product and all of the components, packing and shipping, in-house. We do not "farm out" any of our processes, so we know our products from start to finish, and we are happy to customize any product if it is possible.

Question 8

If my trellis is shipping from your workshop in Florida, why do I have to wait?

Accepted Answer

We handcraft every trellis we sell, and because we sell such high-quality products, we're always pretty busy. Most of our items are made to order.
 
We do not sell mass produced items. We offer ONLY individually handcrafted products, made with pride, right here in our workshop in Sarasota, Florida USA.
 
Production Times:
Due to the many variations of our products, it is not possible for us to stock all items. Most are made to order. Our estimated production time for standard size items is as short as 2 or up to 8 weeks in the busier seasons. If you have a deadline or special need, please contact us and we will be happy to work with you. Production time may vary for custom items.

It is the customer’s responsibility to check our production time before ordering. We always try to make the wait as short as possible and wait times may be shorter on some items. Most items will ship via UPS Ground. Smaller items may ship via USPS Priority.

Question 9

Are there larger or different size trellises available?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we are happy to make larger or custom size trellises. Most larger size trellises will require multiple panels (more than 2), but will assemble and have the final look the same as our smaller, single piece sizes. We have many standard size large trellises available, so be sure to check out all of our products.

Extra Large:
 
Large:

If you do need a custom size, email us at customerservice@pthudsonalumiart.com  and let us know what size you are interested in and we are happy to provide an estimate and additional information.

Question 10

Do you accept returns and exchanges?

Accepted Answer

Your 100% Satisfaction is our #1 Goal! We will always try to work with you to make things right. 
-All requests for returns and exchanges on standard size items only will be handled on a case-by-case basis. -We do not accept returns or exchanges on custom orders. 
-Returns and exchanges are allowed and will be processed only when product is returned in new (undamaged, so please repackage carefully) condition, at buyer's expense. 
-Exceptions: If an item must be returned due to being damaged in shipping, item is not as described, or for other reasons that are the result of either our error, or an error of the shipping company, return shipping will be fully paid. 
-All requests for returns must be made within 14 days of receipt of items. 
-Requests for return due to damage that occurred during shipping must be made within 3 days of receipt of the item. 
We want you to be happy with your purchase! If you have any concerns or questions after receiving your item, please contact us. We understand that certain situations may dictate a need for flexibility to this policy.

Question 11

What about cancellations?

Accepted Answer

We do accept cancellations. Full refunds will be given for orders cancelled within 24 hours of the order being placed. Orders may be changed, or credit given towards the purchase of another item at any time prior to the  beginning of the production of the order. Credits for orders cancelled after the cancellation time will not expire and may be used at any time, for any product. Please check your HOA rules, if applicable, before ordering to avoid any issues. Please check our current lead times before ordering to avoid any surprises with regard to delivery time. SPECIAL NOTES ON CUSTOM ORDERS: Custom items are not returnable. We cannot resell them. Custom orders may not be canceled after 24 hours. Labor and materials used on custom items are not recoverable and not likely reusable. The lead time for custom items may not be the same as standard items, and may take longer. Custom items may be items we’ve not previously fabricated, there may be unknown factors, and shipping and delivery times may change. Please ensure that you are agreeable to these terms prior to ordering. The order taking longer than expected is not accepted as a reason for refund or cancellation.

Question 12

Do you make custom sizes, offer custom colors, and other custom options?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we do make custom sizes and offer custom colors, and we can further customize items in many cases to fit your needs. The best way to get complete information about custom options is to email us at customerservice@pthudsonalumiart.com.  The more information you can provide about your project and requirements, the better. If you’d like to send photos of your space or “inspiration” photos of what you have in mind, please do so.

We are always happy to make custom items, however, please bear in mind that custom items may take a bit longer and may have additional costs.

Question 13

Can I attach the trellises to stucco?

Accepted Answer

The short answer is YES.
HERE ARE SOME TIPS AND INFORMATION FOR INSTALLING ON STUCCO:
Since stucco can vary quite a bit, it is difficult to provide specifics without knowing what is behind the stucco finish coat. Below is some general information that you may find helpful.
 
Use a masonry bit to drill into stucco. If you have wood behind your stucco, you can most likely use a regular drill with the masonry bit. If you have block / cement behind your stucco, it would be best to use a hammer drill.
 
If you are drilling into cement / block behind your stucco, your pilot hole should be slightly deeper than your screw’s length, which should be about 1 1/4” to 1 1/2”. If you are drilling into wood behind your stucco, your pilot hole can be just the length of your screw, which should be about 2”. 
 
Type of screws:
Although stucco can vary, generally, for stucco, we recommend Tapcon (brand) anchor screws. You can usually find these at any hardware store - Lowe’s, Home Depot, etc. or online. They come with a drill bit, so you will not need to purchase one separately. The holes in the wall mounting brackets on the side that will attach to the wall are 1/4” diameter.
 
First, carefully make a pilot hole in the stucco and wall surface beneath the stucco and then attach your wall bracket with the Tapcon. Stucco may have wood, block, cement, etc. behind it, (see images below /examples of stucco layers) so it depends on the wall surface beneath the stucco, as to the difficulty in making the pilot hole.
 
You can also use other types of concrete anchor screws if you prefer. You would make the pilot hole, insert the anchor, and then screw in the screw.
 
To prevent leaks, it is best to seal around the screws with caulking to prevent any leaks.
 
If you are unsure about what is behind your stucco, check existing openings in the wall where you may have electrical / fixtures or plumbing, and remove a cover that is safe to remove and have a look. Be careful with any electrical to prevent getting shocked. You can also drill a test hole in an inconspicuous location and fill with caulk after. 
 
There are many varying opinions and methods regarding drilling into stucco, so you may find different advice with a quick online search. There are lots of videos, both helpful, with good advice, and not-so-good advice online as well. Make sure you are using a reputable source if you do some research online.  
 
Note: The screws to attach the wall mounting brackets to the trellis are included with the trellises. They are self drilling / self tapping screws which will drill into the trellis frame (top/bottom or sides) to attach the brackets to the trellis.
 
3 EXAMPLES OF STUCCO WALL LAYERS:

Question 14

WE MAKE, PACK, SHIP AND PROVIDE CUSTOMER SUPPORT FOR EVERY PRODUCT WE SELL. YOU WILL NEVER SPEAK TO ANYONE OTHER THAN THE OWNERS ABOUT YOUR PURCHASE.

Accepted Answer

We are a small, family owned and operated business. We promise to each of our customers that you will never speak to anyone other than Peter or Wendy, the owners of PT Hudson AlumiArt, about your order.

OUR WORKSHOP IS LOCATED IN SARASOTA, FLORIDA. WE PROUDLY MAKE, PACK, SHIP AND PROVIDE CUSTOMER SUPPORT FOR EVERY PRODUCT WE SELL.

We’re always available via email customerservice@pthudsonalumiart.com.  If we do not answer your phone call immediately, we’re in the workshop, but we’ll get back with you as quickly as possible.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions