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A builder in the Philadelphia area was refurbishing an old barn into a rustic home. As part of the initiative to reuse, they converted the original barnyard area into a pool terrace. They needed to provide a pool barrier to meet pool safety codes. They decided to create a rustic rail and fence. The “chicken coop” was an existing barrier on the top side. So, it made sense to create a custom cable fence for two other areas: from the chicken coop to the barn, and from the chicken coop to the spring house. The pool fence included a three-rail design with an intermediate row of rings directly below the cap rail. It also specified 5/8” round pickets, 2” posts, and a half oval caprail.

There were double gates included on each side of this project to span the wide walkway and also to allow for wide lawn equipment to come through. We incorporated self-closing hinges and self-latching hardware on all the primary pool gates. The secondary gates were latched with a drop pin into the walkway.

Another part of the project covered a stone curved stairway that needed a custom railing to match the pool design, but also provide fall protection. For the more challenging stair curves, we measured with our 3D-disto laser, which takes all measure points in a three-dimensional aspect. We can then put it in CAD and design a custom stair railing from a plan view and an elevation view. This allows the client and builder to get an accurate representation of what the finished iron railing project would look like.

To promote the authenticity, we built everything in iron and then sandblasted and pretreated it. Next, we applied a hot-dip galvanizing process. We brought the project back to the shop to clean and brush blast it. Then we powder-coated it with an eco-friendly finish in a flat black color. This finishing process has some inconsistencies to promote authenticity, yet it adds decades of longevity to this exceptional Philadelphia property.

Do you want a custom rustic rail and fence of your own?! We are happy to help! Contact us here! 

Need more inspiration? Check out our other work on Pinterest, Houzz, or our galleries!

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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