I’m of retirement age and came to realize that I have plenty of projects of my own to occupy me for the rest of my life. I don’t really need the money so started to decline any routine projects. Then this came along. A regular client, for whom I’ve done quite a few very creative projects wanted to replace their wood entry stairs. We’d discussed this before but this time they wanted something stunning with zero maintainance. The project involved the main stairs, two flights and two landings, a side porch with two steps, “shade” covers for both main landings. Keeping with the zero maintaince, we decided to use all metal structure with concrete treads and a maintainance. The finish is a metal patina. The treads are in production and installation will be in about a week.
The entire structure is iron, designed to be welded into managable sections that go together without fasteners except to the house and the foundation. The balustrade is framed etched glass panels built from aluminum extrusions finished to match the steel. There are 71 of these. The aluminum was welded at two corners and screwed together at the other 2 so the glass could be installed or replaced. Each piece of glass was masked on both sides and then acid etched.
This project has been terrific fun every step of the way. I jumped in way over my head and managed to survive. Here are some in progress images. I’ll add more as I start finishing up. Since the original project was started a matching fence and gate have been added.
I hope the pictures are right side up.
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Work of art
Thank you! The original Breaktime brought our workdays to life. Your project might just be a new seed planted!
Nice work. Luckily you dont have to worry about rust. Where I'm at that would have to be hot dipped and would still only last about 10-15 years before turning to iron oxide.
The patina consists of sanding, cleaning, two coats of primer, two coats of iron coating with the patina applied to the last coat while it is wet. Zero maintaince.
Installation has begun. Many of the parts fit together too tightly and were a bitch to assemble.
Ready for the finishing touches. Now a matching porch on the side of the house.
That looks beautiful mgmahan
I love the clean lines and simplicity of the design.
This staircase is a real work of art! You are a wonderful master! But let me disagree with you . When I turned 60, I finally discovered traveling. The children have grown up and do not need my help, and I can safely go anywhere. And I need money. Of course, there are resources such as https://www.dbfahrplan.com/de/ where I buy cheap train tickets. And it helps to save a lot. But I wouldn't mind an extra few hundred euros during my travels. Life is just beginning right now and I want to spend this time with maximum benefit.
I have done quite a bit of traveling over the years, but right now I am a full time care giver, so I'm pretty much stuck at home. If you are traveling on a budget consider home exchange. I've been doing it for over 25 years and don't have one bad thing to say. If you have a good location I'd say go for it.https://homelink.org/en/
Great quality work!
I've been distracted by a ton of personal stuff, so I've neglected this post. Here are some images of the finished (almost) project.
The Covid vacation is probably the worst vacation I've ever had. I hope this will not happen again.
Beautiful work guys..
The lock downs and printed money needed to pay people and business's to quarantine was one of the biggest mistakes and transfer of wealth ever made imo.