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Builders constructed a beautiful custom home in Avalon, NJ. It was just missing one thing…a show stopper! So, the architect specified an exterior helical staircase to draw the eye. However, since this house was located at the shore, this proved to be more challenging than expected. Due to the harsh elements at the shore, the correct material and finish were required. Otherwise, it would corrode and become ineffective.

It was necessary for the stairs to be 17 feet tall overall due to the design of the house. Furthermore, we designed the landing at the top of the helical stairs. We designed it to be 2 ft long, with 3 ft. wide treads. The outside diameter of the helical stairs was 8 ft, to give you an idea of what this project looked like.

We proposed that the entire helical staircase structure be made of aluminum. With the inside and outside stringer in ¼” plate, plus with trim detail at the top and bottom of skirt. We also constructed the stair railing posts and top frame in aluminum. The architect specified the stair railing infill be horizontal ½” round stainless rod, 316 alloy in brushed #4 finish. This presented an additional layer of challenge as the stainless rod railing had either to be masked during powder-coating or installed after we powder-coated the rest of the project.

We laid out the entire staircase in our shop after the shop drawing was approved. Next, we created a cylinder for the inside stringer, and we welded all the treads into place. Finally, we installed the outside stringer in order to complete the structure of this incredible helical staircase.

After this, we placed all the trim work on the inside and outside stringer. The railing posts were placed next, with the top rail structure being prepared for the mahogany caprail. Now is when we formed the helical stainless railing rod infill to avoid the problem mentioned above. Then, we created a rotisserie stair carrier that the helical stairs were transported on. The finish off production, we blasted, primed, and powder-coated the stairs.

We transported the completed helical staircase to the job site. A crane hoisted this phenomenal helical staircase into place. Now, these show-stopping helical stairs will provide access and beauty from the lawn to the second-floor terrace of this New Jersey shore home for decades upon decades.

Do you want a show-stopping designer helical staircase for all to enjoy? Contact us to get a custom one of your own! 

Need more inspiration? Check out our other work on Pinterest or Houzz! Or look through our galleries on our website!

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We love our front porch railings! They certainly add a lot of beauty to our home and they fit the period of our home. When elderly guests come to visit, it’s always good that they have something strong to hold onto, and they fit perfectly what we were looking for. Thanks to everyone on your team for their artistic work. We are very happy with our final products!

Indiana Cleint

Compass delivered absolutely amazing, high quality product. They are true masters.  I am also pleased with their timely communication and guidance, as we worked through the design and transaction process. 

I would definitely recommend them and work with them again.

Wisconsin Client

What an excellent experience we had with Compass Ironworks!! We have spent four years restoring and remodeling a Pre-Civil War home in North Alabama. We have learned a lot through the process and made more than a few mistakes. But choosing Compass Ironworks was not one of those. From the very first interaction, Amos and his team have been a pleasure to work with. Old homes are quirky! No right angles. No two measurements are precisely the same. So using a company in Pennsylvania was a risk. And we are SO GLAD we took that risk! Absolutely flawless!! The designs, the collaboration, the execution, the QUALITY, the timeline and the finished product were all first class!!! We will absolutely choose Compass again for our next project and recommend them to anyone who asks.

Alabama Designer

The railing is installed and is beautiful … a work of art, to be sure!

My expectations were high and certainly met. I was able to visit the shop and see the railing in progress. It was a thrill to see it then, and very exciting when it arrived at my home.

I have already recommended you to others!

Massachusetts Client
Front entrance metal gate