Frequently Asked Questions

Less than people expect on the metal, more than expected on the glass. Powder coated and stainless components need little beyond occasional cleaning. Glass panels show water spots and fingerprints and want regular washing, which is worth knowing before you choose them for an exterior Seattle deck that faces months of rain.

As much or as little as you want, because it comes down to slat spacing. Set tight with almost no gap, the slats block sightlines completely for a private yard, pool, or patio. With a small even gap it screens most views while letting light and air through, and spaced wider it reads as a clean architectural line. We set the spacing to the seclusion and look you are after.

More often than inland, and it is worth knowing before choosing it. A coastal deck collects salt spray alongside rain spotting and dust, and glass shows all of it. Cable or metal is the substantially lower maintenance choice if regular washing is not something you want to take on.

It depends entirely on the slat spacing, which we set for you. Tight spacing gives a solid, private screen; a small even gap keeps most sightlines blocked while letting light through; wider spacing reads as an open architectural boundary. On a modern Redmond home the semi-private setting is a common favorite.

Well, when they are finished for it. Months of damp will find any weak point, so we powder-coat steel over a primer, use aluminum where rust is a real concern, and seal the posts at grade. Aluminum slat and vertical systems have a natural edge since they cannot rust at all, which is part of why they have caught on across the city.

Not when it is specified for the exposure. The humid lakeside air is hard on ordinary metal, so on waterfront and near-water lots we favor rust-free aluminum, finish steel through a multi-step process where it is wanted, and seal the posts at grade. Set back up the hill, properly finished steel holds up well too.

It depends entirely on the supporting wall. A cantilever anchors each tread into structure, so the wall has to be designed or reinforced to carry that load. On a new Medina build it is straightforward to plan for; on an existing house we assess what is there before committing to the design and will tell you honestly if it is not viable.

Both suit a modern home when finished correctly. Aluminum cannot rust, which is why the horizontal slat look uses it, and it is light and low-maintenance, ideal for the damp winters. Steel is stronger and takes ornamental detail better. We weigh the two against your design and your exposure and recommend the right one.

Yes. Our fabricators have decades of experience with ornamental metalwork, so we can hand-detail scrollwork and custom patterns, or laser cut a crest or signature motif into the door. Everything is built to the standard the estate is held to.