--- title: Blog | Construction Metals | custom built description: custom built | Decorative metal stair designs, ornamental stairs and unique decorative stainless steel railings. --- # [Architectural & Ornamental Metals Manufacturer](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/) [![Couturier Iron Craft](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/hs-fs/hub/240734/file-2663975970.png?width=405&name=file-2663975970.png)](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/) # BLOG - Architectural Metals ## [State of the Construction Industry](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/330440/State-of-the-Construction-Industry) Posted by [Leander Rabe](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/author/leander-rabe) on Mon, Aug 26, 2013 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/hs-fs/file-280758592-jpg/images/webpagefx_infographics_v3b.jpg) ](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/330440/State-of-the-Construction-Industry) Couturier Iron Craft has done well to weather the recent challenges of the construction industry.  Lately the news has highlighted a turnaround in that industry.  However, the news can sometimes be hard to quantify.  Maxwell Systems has created a very helpful infographic.  It is built on the data they mined from the the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Department of Commerce. Here are some of the highlights of the infographic's numbers: [Read More](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/330440/State-of-the-Construction-Industry) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/330440/State-of-the-Construction-Industry#comments-listing) Tags: [metal railings](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/metal-railings), [curved stairs](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/curved-stairs), [custom built](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/custom-built), [construction industry](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/construction-industry), [curved stairway](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/curved-stairway) ## [Do You Make These Common Stairway Design Mistakes?](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/323004/do-you-make-these-common-stairway-design-mistakes) Posted by [Leander Rabe](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/author/leander-rabe) on Mon, Aug 05, 2013 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/hs-fs/file-239980745-jpg/images/stairway_to_nowhere.jpg) ](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/323004/do-you-make-these-common-stairway-design-mistakes) We are often told that, 'first impressions count,'. In buildings, whether residential or professional, the stairway frequently is what can make or break that first impression. A well designed stairway offers the potential to turn an uninteresting entryway into a major architectural feature. But with so much potential to create a stunning entrance also exists the prospect of getting it just as wrong, if you fall into some of these common stairway design mistakes. **Select your shape** One of the first decisions you need to make about your stairway, curved staircase, custom stairs project is what shape you want the stairs to be. Spiral staircases look great and are also useful where space is limited. Straight and curved staircases are equally sound options but whatever your choice it's important that the connections to the rest of the building are seamless and the staircase fits in both stylistically and proportionally. **Design discord ** Figuring out what works for your building whether stairway, curved staircase, custom stairs is one of the first decisions you need to make. What combination of materials do you want to use? What will your balustrades look like? How many spindles do you want and what finish should the railings have? These decisions require you to think about the overall design of your building and how the stairway can complement that. If your stairway design clashes with the rest of the entrance area, you can end up with a design disaster, not a style statement. Working with a professional designer, who specializes in custom metalwork from the beginning of your project, can help you avoid this common pitfall.  **Form over function** With any design project, it can be all too easy to get carried away with the appearance, and forget about the practicalities. First you have the code requirements to think about, such as distance between spindles, stair widths and headroom - these are non negotiables which you simply must adhere to.  Then there are the other practical considerations, such as loading on the staircase.  The more complex the staircase, the greater the technical expertise you need in designing the stairway.  A professional designer will be able to keep your project specification in line with building codes and advise you about how to use the materials you want.   [Read More](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/323004/do-you-make-these-common-stairway-design-mistakes) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/323004/do-you-make-these-common-stairway-design-mistakes#comments-listing) Tags: [curved stairs](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/curved-stairs), [spiral stairs](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/spiral-stairs), [spiral stairway](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/spiral-stairway), [custom built](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/custom-built), [curved staircase](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/curved-staircase), [curved stairway](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/curved-stairway), [spiral staircase](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/spiral-staircase) ## [The 3 Benefits of Custom Designed Stairs](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/319633/The-3-Benefits-of-Custom-Designed-Stairs) Posted by [Daniel Couturier](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/author/daniel-couturier) on Mon, Jul 29, 2013 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/hs-fs/file-23704438-jpg/images/greenstaircase-1024x768.jpg) ](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/319633/The-3-Benefits-of-Custom-Designed-Stairs) Redesigning or building a unique office, commercial building, or other space can be greatly facilitated if you instruct your space planners, architects and builders to consider custom elements as part of the mix. [Read More](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/319633/The-3-Benefits-of-Custom-Designed-Stairs) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/319633/The-3-Benefits-of-Custom-Designed-Stairs#comments-listing) Tags: [curved stairs](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/curved-stairs), [spiral stairs](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/spiral-stairs), [spiral stairway](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/spiral-stairway), [custom built](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/custom-built), [stairs](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/stairs), [curved staircase](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/curved-staircase), [curved stairway](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/curved-stairway), [stairway](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/stairway), [staircase](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/staircase), [spiral staircase](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/spiral-staircase) [All posts](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/all) ### Subscribe via Email ### Latest Posts ### Testimonials On behalf of The Christman Company and Albion College, we wish to thank you and your staff for being a key part of the successful completion of the renovations of Albion College's Baldwin Hall. Christman is extremely pleased with the performance of Couturier Iron Craft, Inc. on Baldwin Hall at Albion College. Baldwin Hall had a tight schedule, three phases, and was owner occupied throughout construction. Your trades took ownership of this project and it showed with all of the hard work and exceptional quality. Further, your workers on site took pride in their work, which was easily seen by The Christman Company and Albion College. The Christman Company and Albion College could not be more pleased with everyone's effort and the finished product. Baldwin Hall has turned out to be an excellent project and could not have been accomplished without your efforts. Lawrence C. Thomas, J.H. Findorff & Son, Inc. Overture Center for the Arts project, Madison, WI I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to thank you and Couturier Iron for taking on the challenge of the circular stairwell for the National Journal project. While the project may not have been a large one for Couturier, it was a very important one for Rand Construction and our long time relationship with the owner of 1501 M Street. Couturier's ability to produce on an exceptionally short schedule (4 weeks from the time you signed up) helped us out of a very difficult situation that resulted when another stair contractor failed to perform. Matt O'Brian, Rand Construction Corporation National Journal, Washington, D.C. It is with great pleasure I write this letter. It is not every day we build a corporate headquarters for ourselves. Couturier Iron Craft provided a vital role in our project's construction. It is only through good planning, teamwork, and execution that this is possible. My hat off to you and your team for a job well done. We are proud of our building. It is a reflection of both who we are and what we do. I want to welcome you to utilize Barton Malow as a reference, and our building as an example of the quality of work that Couturier Iron Craft performs. Doug Mailbach, Barton Malow Barton Malow Headquarters Building, Southfield, MI On behalf of The Christman Company and Albion College, we wish to thank you and your staff for being a key part of the successful completion of the renovations of Albion College's Baldwin Hall. Christman is extremely pleased with the performance of Couturier Iron Craft, Inc. on Baldwin Hall at Albion College. Baldwin Hall had a tight schedule, three phases, and was owner occupied throughout construction. Your trades took ownership of this project and it showed with all of the hard work and exceptional quality. Further, your workers on site took pride in their work, which was easily seen by The Christman Company and Albion College. The Christman Company and Albion College could not be more pleased with everyone's effort and the finished product. Baldwin Hall has turned out to be an excellent project and could not have been accomplished without your efforts. Brian C. Crissman, The Christman Company Baldwin Hall, Albion College All of the Eby Team Members of the Cessna C-1 Project would like to thank you for the tremendous influence to have had on the project. Couturier Iron Craft Inc. did an excellent job, and we want to thank you as well as your field people for the part you played in providing our customer with a project we can all be proud of. Timothy, we especially appreciate the cooperation, timeless and first class quality that your organization has provided. It was truly a privilege to work with an organization such as yours. Ric O'Flynn, Martin K. 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