Two metal bands turned into our favorite project of the year
How MSFC-Custom Solved a 20-ft Cedar Panel Install with Precision Fabrication and Engineering
When the design team at Ramsay Nye (formerly Cloth and Kind) and Encompass Contracting brought us into this high-end residential project in Athens, Georgia, the original scope was small: fabricate and install two powder-coated steel bands on the front porch columns.
But during the site walk, we realized the vision was far more ambitious, and we were excited to help bring it to life.
The front and back patios called for thoughtful coordination, structural support, and some serious problem-solving, exactly the kind of collaborative challenge we love at MSFC-Custom, where we specialize in precision architectural metalwork, structural detailing, and turnkey fabrication-to-installation services.
At the heart of the project was the installation of full cedar columns and 20-foot-long exterior cedar panels, a scope that other subcontractors declined due to the complexity. But with our in-house engineering expertise and fabrication shop in Watkinsville, Georgia, we developed a solution using hidden Z-clip hardware, which allowed us to safely and cleanly mount each panel with minimal visible fasteners and maximum stability.
Where the cedar met a rugged rock wall, we deployed our laser scanning technology to capture the entire exterior in high detail. We then fabricated custom metal templates to guide each wood cut, ensuring a tight, seamless connection that aligned with the wall’s natural contours—something that would be near-impossible without advanced fabrication techniques.
For the back patio, we fabricated custom hurricane clips that connect the floor to the posts, engineered to provide over 24,000 lbs of holding strength. These structural components were then clad in hand-finished cypress, ensuring the safety and durability of the structure while meeting the project’s high design standards.
The beams and ceilings were also wrapped in cypress, and custom cypress wainscot was added to finish the patio space.
Scope of Work Provided by MSFC-Custom:
Fabrication and installation of powder-coated steel brackets and hurricane clips
20-ft-long cedar panel installation with hidden Z-clips
Full cedar column fabrication and installation
Laser scanning of the exterior rock wall for precision templating
Custom metal templates for wood-to-stone transitions
Cypress cladding of beams, posts, ceilings, and wainscot
Built entirely in-house at MSFC-Custom’s Watkinsville, GA shop
Why MSFC-Custom?
MSFC-Custom is a trusted metal fabrication partner for architects, designers, and general contractors throughout Georgia and the Southeast. Our team combines creative problem-solving with high-quality fabrication, helping deliver complex architectural details with precision and ease. Whether it's architectural metalwork, custom exterior cladding, or engineering solutions for structural components, we bring a level of care and craftsmanship that sets us apart.
We’re grateful to have worked alongside the brilliant design team at Ramsay Nye and the talented crew at Encompass Contracting on this project, and we're proud to help bring projects like this from concept to completion.
Looking for a fabrication partner who can handle complexity?
Let’s talk. Get in touch with our team.
Cheers,
The MSFC-Custom crew
