Aluminum cast barn windows and door grilles are the future

Cast iron can be restored in some cases, but stable windows and door grilles will always remain a "product of the past," if we look at the properties. That is where MPH Gieterij has a very nice solution. Namely, the Haaksbergen-based company casts stable windows and door grilles in aluminum. We speak with director and owner Gerald ten Hagen, about the niche in which his foundry excels.

The right solution for every stable window

"When in joined the business in 2008, we had already existed as a foundry for some time, concentrating mainly on door grilles. However, the demand for cast stable windows increased, and because of the changed wishes and requirements in today's construction, there was also a desire to be able to apply these stable windows in an insulated version. This is what we set to work on, with success. Today we supply aluminum door grilles and aluminum insulated stable windows, with double glazing," says Gerald.

Through the many renovation projects where the help of MPH Foundry has been enlisted, Gerald has been able to build up a complete archive of types and sizes of barn windows. "As many as 300 variants are in our system. In the unlikely event that the version the customer needs is not included, we provide custom work by measuring on site, making a quotation and, after approval, drawing everything neatly into the computer. This drawing is then exported to our fully automatic CNC router, which mills a mold in birch plywood. This mold is then used to print in sand, which becomes the final mold. That provides the customer with a perfectly fitting, well-insulated aluminum stable window, and we add the design back to our ever-growing archive."

Focus on quality

The aluminum stable windows produced by MPH Foundry consist of a solid inner and outer sheet, with thermal break. The casting, once powder-coated, creates the look familiar from cast iron. "That looks 100% authentic and cannot be compared to laser-cut solutions, which you also sometimes see. The advantage of working with aluminum is that there is no rusting, as with cast iron. The glazing is pre-assembled, we deliver a ready-made stable window, including set frames developed by ourselves with day pieces, primed white and with vapor-resistant foil."

"In doing so, we pay attention to the details. Will there be a window sill or not? We take that into account in the execution. It couldn't be easier, nor more beautiful."

Lightweight door grilles with the allure of yesteryear

The door grilles produced by MPH Foundry also have mere advantages. "A door grille made of cast iron is quite a menace on the front door. The enormous weight of the cast iron is a drain on the door's hinge points. Because we now cast the door grilles in aluminum, we save an enormous amount of weight. Better for the door, but also for the mechanic. Currently, 90% of the door grilles we produce are for new construction. Among our customers are some private individuals, but the bulk goes to carpentry factories, which offer this product as an embellishing added value," explains Gerald.

What about the - often busy - ornamentation on door grilles? Gerald explains: "We use molds from the past, so completely authentic. We also have our own designs behind us. However, the great thing is that, regardless of the ornament, we provide customization. We 'cut' the size all around already in the casting mold, so the door grille retains an authentic finish all around. Door grilles are more functional than many people think: they are aesthetic, provide ventilation and are a good form of burglar resistance." 

When asked if there is a showroom where customers can go, Gerald replies, "Not yet, but in December our new 1000 m² hall will be ready, here in Haaksbergen. There we will make a nice showroom, where private individuals, contractors and architects are welcome."