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UPDATE 4-27-2017
This project won Gold in the National Top Job competition. Other entries were elegant, contemporary, and very modern. Each had it’s own details and specific obstacles to over come and the finish projects worked well with the rest of the design of the homes they were installed in. A very tough competition!

What garnered this project the most votes was the difficult helical challenge, the exceptional harmonious transitions of all the members of the horizontal railings and extreme installation challenge.

This award symbolized another milestone for Compass Ironworks, our first foray into high end residential metal stairs. Creating this phenomenal double floating helical stairs was no east feat for a first time. For it to be awarded the best nationally was truly rewarding to the craftsmen at Compass Ironworks.

These visually stunning stairs were created for an exceptional property at Ocean City. The client wanted “stairs that are unlike anything else in the world.” The center stringer was 8” round, with ½” thick wall pipe that had to radius to the extreme challenge of a 4 ft. plan view radius. We needed the strength to be able to suspend from floor to floor, but that same strength created difficult challenges in implementing the radius. This was done in steel, the treads and risers were steel as well, then the whole unit was hot-dip galvanized and powder-coated a contemporary silver. Our special powder-coating process has been tested and proven to last far longer than the most challenging specifications, so these stairs will stand up to the harsh ocean weathering for many more decades than is typical.

This project was a challenge like no other, particularly with the difficult radii on round bar and the horizontal rod with the sweeping transition everywhere. Creating all the smooth transitions horizontally and vertically with the correct radii and space in a visually pleasing way was quite a difficult feat that we were all pleased with.

The final challenge was the install, as we couldn’t crane through roof and had to spend 3 extra days of work with a special carrier. The work was all worth it. In the sea of featureless plastic railing that is ubiquitous at Ocean City, these extraordinary stairs help this dazzling home to truly stand out.

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Mr. Amos Glick and staff at Compass Ironworks built and provided me with a customized automatic gate. From the very beginning of the project, they were passionate and attentive to my family’s special needs. Their skill and care in every detail of the gate, size, style, material and color, matching our landscape, was well thought out and well crafted. They were able to also give the exact various automation modes my family had requested.
 
I am very much satisfied with the superb work done and would recommend Compass Ironworks whole heartily to anyone seeking personalized care and excellent workmanship.

Bernardsville, NJ

We had a railing, designed, created, and installed by Compass Ironworks. Amos and Aaron were extremely professional. They kept us informed of how things were progressing. We even visited the shop when the railing was almost complete. We HIGHLY recommend Compass Ironworks! We have had several people knock on our door to ask about who made our beautiful railing. Thank you for your hard work!

Jacqui Collins & Greg McBride

I have been meaning to call you about all the wonderful details of our railing. First of all, it’s beautiful. It is made exactly like we wanted, and it is sturdy just the way we wanted. Ben, Alvin, and John were right on the ball. They knew what they were doing. They were in and out of there, but still took the time necessary to do what they needed to do. And it looks beautiful! My wife came home and she had tears in her eyes and she was all tickled, and that was wonderful. We’re going to recommend you to all our friends, family, and neighbors. We’ll definitely give you a call. Feel free to use me as a reference. I will recommend you to anyone I know or meet. Thank you, Sir and have a good day.

E. Johnson - Transcript of an unsolicited voice mail message from a Chester County, PA client

As the owners of a custom home building company in South Jersey we are always looking for products and craftsmanship that will perform in the harsh seashore conditions. We are fortunate to have met the craftsmen at Compass Ironworks, whose professionalism is unmatched. Their skilled welding and fabrication combined with their carefully tested finishes allow our customers to have a lifetime railing product. We eagerly recommend them to customers and other builders.

John Van Duyne - Van Duyne Builders
Front entrance metal gate