High-Concept Handrails & Dock Staircase

This project was big. Like, really big.

It was the most extensive, most complicated, and most demanding build we’ve taken on so far—and somehow, also one of the most satisfying. Set on beautiful Lake Oswego, we were brought in to fabricate approximately 180 linear feet of high-concept custom steel handrail, much of it designed before the deck even existed. Measurements were pulled from stringers, assumptions were stress-tested in CAD, and timelines were… aggressive, to put it kindly.

Every railing was TIG welded from solid steel, using 3/8" flat bar paired with 1/4" × 2" balusters—clean, precise, and built to live outdoors. Laser-cut flanges, Cerakoted hardware, and Satin Black Powdercoat. Tight tolerances kept the details sharp while standing up to the elements. Composite decking introduced its own challenges, so we engineered a custom riser system to make everything line up exactly as intended—no compromises, no visual shortcuts.

Beyond the railings, we fabricated a custom aluminum staircase leading from the dock down into the water, along with bespoke aluminum sconce mounting plates designed to seamlessly integrate Schoolhouse Electric outdoor fixtures. Every component had to work structurally, visually, and logistically—often all at once.

Between material issues, shifting site conditions, and less-than-ideal coordination, there were plenty of moments where this project threatened to go sideways. Instead, it came together. Clean lines. Tight welds. Design intent intact.

This was one of those builds that tests everything you know—and then asks a little more. We’re proud of how it turned out, and even prouder that we made the hardest parts look effortless.