Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the home. For historic craftsman and Victorian houses, properly sealed ornamental iron that matches the period is the way to go. For modern lofts and remodels, powder-coated steel, tempered glass, and stainless cable all work well. Near the water, we step up the hardware grade for the salt air. We help you weigh the options for your specific staircase and the character of the home.

It depends on the home. For historic Victorian and craftsman houses, properly sealed ornamental iron that matches the period is the way to go. For modern homes and remodels, powder-coated steel, tempered glass, and stainless cable all work well and handle the damp, marine-influenced climate when finished properly. We help you weigh the options for your specific staircase and the character of the home.

Both are warm copper alloys, but they differ in tone and behavior. Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, is brighter and more golden, and takes a high polish, which suits refined interior railings. Bronze, primarily copper and tin, is warmer and browner and weathers to a stable patina, which makes it the traditional choice outdoors. In Seattle we often use brass for interior statement stairs and bronze for exterior and architectural work, and we will recommend the right one for your project.

Both are warm copper alloys with different character. Brass, copper and zinc, is brighter and golden and takes a high polish, which suits modern interior accents. Bronze, copper and tin, is warmer and browner and weathers to a stable patina, which makes it the traditional choice for historic and exterior work. In Tacoma we use bronze heavily for period homes and exterior railings, with polished brass for modern interiors, and we will recommend the right one.

Both are warm copper alloys with different character. Brass, copper and zinc, is brighter and golden and takes a high polish, which suits modern interior accents. Bronze, copper and tin, is warmer and browner and weathers to a stable patina, the traditional choice for historic and exterior work. In Olympia we use bronze heavily for period homes and exterior railings, with polished brass for modern interiors, and we will recommend the right one.

They are both warm copper alloys with different character. Brass, copper and zinc, is brighter and more golden and takes a high polish, so it suits refined interior railings. Bronze, copper and tin, is warmer and browner and weathers to a stable patina, which makes it the traditional outdoor choice. In Bellevue we tend to use brass for interior statement stairs and bronze for exterior and architectural work, and we will guide you to the right one.

Both are warm copper alloys with distinct character. Brass, copper and zinc, is brighter and more golden and takes a high polish, ideal for a refined interior staircase. Bronze, copper and tin, is warmer and browner and weathers to a stable patina, the traditional choice for exterior and architectural work. On a Medina home we often use polished brass indoors and silicon bronze outdoors, and we help you and your designer choose for each application.

They are both warm copper alloys with different character. Brass, copper and zinc, is brighter and golden and takes a high polish, which suits refined interior railings. Bronze, copper and tin, is warmer and browner and weathers to a stable patina, the traditional outdoor choice. In Redmond we mostly use brass to warm up modern interiors and bronze for exterior and architectural work, and we will recommend the right one.

Both are warm copper alloys with different character. Brass, copper and zinc, is brighter and golden and takes a high polish, ideal for interior railings. Bronze, copper and tin, is warmer and browner and weathers to a stable patina, the traditional outdoor choice. In Kirkland we tend to use brass to warm interiors and silicon bronze for exterior work near the lake, and we will recommend the right one.