--- title: Blog | Construction Metals | railing description: railing | 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 ## [Comparing Several Types of Decorative Metals for Your Handrail](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/377762/Comparing-Several-Types-of-Decorative-Metals-for-Your-Handrail) Posted by [Leander Rabe](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/author/leander-rabe) on Fri, Mar 07, 2014 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/hs-fs/file-23395911-jpg/images/williamson_county_courthous.jpg) ](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/377762/Comparing-Several-Types-of-Decorative-Metals-for-Your-Handrail) From aluminum to iron and stainless steel, railings can be made using a variety of mediums. [Read More](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/377762/Comparing-Several-Types-of-Decorative-Metals-for-Your-Handrail) 2 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/377762/Comparing-Several-Types-of-Decorative-Metals-for-Your-Handrail#comments-listing) Tags: [metal railings](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/metal-railings), [metal railing](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/metal-railing), [stainless](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/stainless), [railing](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/railing), [decorative metals](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/decorative-metals) ## [Michigan Construction & Design Trade Show 2014 Feb 5th, 2014](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/356714/Michigan-Construction-Design-Trade-Show-2014-Feb-5th-2014) Posted by [Daniel Couturier](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/author/daniel-couturier) on Tue, Dec 03, 2013 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/hs-fs/file-398976761-jpg/images/construction__design_trade_show.jpg) ](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/356714/Michigan-Construction-Design-Trade-Show-2014-Feb-5th-2014) Couturier Iron Craft, Inc. will be exhibiting at the Michigan Construction & Design Trade Show on February 5th, 2014 at Motor City Casino, Detroit, MI. Stop by our booth #312 and see a wide range of custom decorative metal stair and railing products offered to meet your project requirements. [Read More](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/356714/Michigan-Construction-Design-Trade-Show-2014-Feb-5th-2014) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/356714/Michigan-Construction-Design-Trade-Show-2014-Feb-5th-2014#comments-listing) Tags: [spiral stairway](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/spiral-stairway), [decorative stairs](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/decorative-stairs), [construction industry](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/construction-industry), [construction association of michigan](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/construction-association-of-michigan), [stainless steel railing](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/stainless-steel-railing), [stairs](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/stairs), [curved staircase](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/curved-staircase), [stainless](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/stainless), [railing](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/railing), [decorative metals](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/decorative-metals), [stairway](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/stairway), [staircase](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/staircase), [design](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/design), [CAM](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/cam) ## [How a Fortress Mentality Prevents a Successful Design Project](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/344861/How-a-Fortress-Mentality-Prevents-a-Successful-Design-Project) Posted by [Leander Rabe](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/author/leander-rabe) on Thu, Oct 24, 2013 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/hs-fs/file-360155047-jpg/images/filepicker-sgeojq2tqko4iefntb8i_fortress.jpg) ](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/344861/How-a-Fortress-Mentality-Prevents-a-Successful-Design-Project) Fortress mentality - "a situation in which a group of people feel they are under attack and therefore refuse to listen to any criticism or views that do not fit with their own position and aims."   Precisely the wrong way to go about a new design/build project, where collaboration between the major players - owner, architect, general contractor, subs, is essential for completing a project to specs, on time, on budget, and to everyone's satisfaction. If each member of the team has their own ideas or agenda, the end result is likely to be unsatisfactory to all. When planning a project, it is vitally important to find a collaborative partner, one that has significant amounts of experience, professionalism, and a track record of accomplishments. While following this mandate is important at every step of the job, it is especially important when contemplating unique architectural and functional elements to new construction or remodeling, like ornamental staircases, railings, and formed metals. The idea might begin with the owner, and pass to the design or architectural firm. It will pass through the bidding process with generals, who in turn will interact with subs for some of the detail work. The owner will select the general contractor based on a number of factors, including the bid price; intangibles also figure into the equation, such as the contractor's track record in general, past work on similar projects, valued-added services that they can bring to the project.  The project owner must evaluate the bids, taking care to make sure the general has a history of being able to co-operate with everyone involved in the project. The record of cooperation might be the result of having an excellent construction project manager (CPM) on staff, or having shown a history of being able to work with outside PMs. The owner might have a history of working with a particular PM and proposes that s/he work with the general and the subs to keep the collaboration mentality alive from start-to-finish. The CPM is ultimately responsible for the success of the project, and must have management skills as well as a background in the type of project being undertaken.  S/he will initiate and set-up the following: - Create a communication to keep everyone involved up-to-speed throughout the project - Maximize resources by obtaining materials and labor to keep the project within scope and budget - Clearly communicate the requirements and expectations of all involved to all parties - Implement the tasks of the project on a timely yet logical basis. Clearly stated goals, excellent communication, great planning and keeping all parties involved in the process will go a long way towards eliminating 'fortress mentality' on a construction project, and lead to the job coming in on time, on budget, and to everyone's satisfaction. [Read More](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/344861/How-a-Fortress-Mentality-Prevents-a-Successful-Design-Project) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/344861/How-a-Fortress-Mentality-Prevents-a-Successful-Design-Project#comments-listing) Tags: [spiral stairs](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/spiral-stairs), [construction industry](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/construction-industry), [railing](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/railing), [design](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/design), [spiral staircase](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/spiral-staircase) ## [The Couturier Way to Crafting the Perfect Stainless Steel Railing](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/319619/The-Couturier-Way-to-Crafting-the-Perfect-Stainless-Steel-Railing) Posted by [Daniel Couturier](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/author/daniel-couturier) on Mon, Jul 22, 2013 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/hs-fs/file-23395683-jpg/images/western_michigan.jpg) ](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/319619/The-Couturier-Way-to-Crafting-the-Perfect-Stainless-Steel-Railing) Indoors or out, stairways and railings can transcend functionality to blend beautifully with their surrounding or make a unique statement. But crafting the perfect stainless steel railing requires a specialized approach – one that unites artistry with engineering. [Read More](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/319619/The-Couturier-Way-to-Crafting-the-Perfect-Stainless-Steel-Railing) 5 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/bid/319619/The-Couturier-Way-to-Crafting-the-Perfect-Stainless-Steel-Railing#comments-listing) Tags: [metal railings](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/metal-railings), [metal railing](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/metal-railing), [stainless steel railing](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/stainless-steel-railing), [stainless](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/stainless), [railing](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/railing), [steel](https://www.couturierironcraft.com/blog/topic/steel) [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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