Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Custom Porcelain Enamel Products for Architectural Use
Cherokee Porcelain has been a trusted contract manufacturer of porcelain enamel on steel products since 1946. Our expertise lies in creating custom architectural components using a fusion process that bonds glass-like enamel to steel substrates at temperatures exceeding 1400F. This time-tested method, adapted from 16th-century European techniques, produces exceptionally durable finishes resistant to weather, fading, and corrosion. Our facilities in Knoxville, Tennessee, house modern metal fabrication equipment that enables us to produce architectural panels, signage, and specialty items for clients across the United States and Canada.With notable projects including signage for Cracker Barrel restaurants and exterior cladding for White Castle locations, we combine technical precision with artistic flexibility to meet exacting design specifications. Our commitment to quality is demonstrated through compliance with Porcelain Enamel Institute standards and a focus on solving complex material challenges for architects and designers. The permanence of our enamel finishes, which retain color integrity for decades, has made us a preferred partner for high-profile commercial and institutional buildings.
Services
Architectural Panels
Signage with Graphics
Handcrafted Letters
Column Covers
Directories
Details
- Year established: 1946
Highlights and features
- We have over 75 years of specialized experience in porcelain enamel fabrication
- Our custom manufacturing process operates at 1400-1500F for superior durability
- We offer over 200 standard color options with custom mixing capabilities
- Our team holds technical expertise in architectural porcelain enamel compliance standards
- We've completed landmark projects including Ellis Island signage and NYC subway components
Services
Architectural Panels
Custom-fabricated porcelain enamel panels provide durable architectural surfaces. Our 10-foot length capacity with concealed fasteners creates seamless exteriors resistant to weather and corrosion. Clients benefit from permanent color retention and low-maintenance finishes ideal for commercial buildings.
Signage with Graphics
Precision-crafted signs with silk-screened graphics and text. The high-temperature enameling process ensures permanent visibility for transit systems, restaurants, and institutions. Our capabilities include complex photo murals and dimensional lettering for brand identity applications.
Handcrafted Letters
Individually formed steel letters with fused enamel coating. Available in custom fonts and colors, these durable letters maintain crisp edges and vibrant color for decades. Ideal for storefronts, wayfinding, and architectural branding requiring long-term visibility.
Column Covers
Decorative porcelain enamel cladding for structural columns. Our covers combine aesthetic appeal with protective functionality, resisting graffiti and environmental damage. Custom profiles match specific architectural styles while maintaining material durability.
Directories
Engraved and color-filled directories with permanent legibility. The non-porous surface withstands repeated use in high-traffic areas. Custom layouts accommodate changing information requirements while maintaining visual consistency with architectural elements.
Questions
What makes porcelain enamel superior for exterior applications?
Porcelain enamel's glass-like surface resists UV degradation, moisture, and industrial atmospheres. The 1400°F fusion process creates a permanent bond that won't fade, peel, or require maintenance for decades.
Can you match specific color requirements?
We offer over 200 standard colors with custom mixing capabilities. Color samples are approved before production to ensure precise matching for architectural projects.
What size limitations exist for porcelain enamel panels?
Standard production handles 10-foot lengths with 4.5-foot widths. Special fabrication techniques accommodate larger dimensions while maintaining structural integrity and enamel adhesion.
How do you ensure flatness in large panels?
Our process maintains flatness within 3/16" convex and 3/32" concave tolerances for panels up to 8 square feet. Larger panels receive proportionate allowances while meeting architectural performance standards.
What warranty do you offer?
Warranties are negotiated per project based on specifications. All products meet Porcelain Enamel Institute standards for weather resistance and structural performance.
