Greenport Passive House Exterior. Photos by Liz Glasgow.
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern gray two-story wood house exterior remodel in New York with a metal roof

Brady Pape
Staircase - mid-sized contemporary wooden u-shaped open and metal railing staircase idea in Boise

Quarter sawn Sapele Mahogany handrail, top caps and skirting. Stainless steel tube and wood balustrade.
Example of a minimalist carpeted curved dark wood floor staircase design in Las Vegas with carpeted risers

Challenging space constraints and owners desire for a sleek and sturdy staircase became the inspirational requirements for a very custom staircase featuring no risers, 2" thick oak treads with 4" nose drops, 2 solid stringers, and horizontal metal balusters with a modern oak rail profile. Instead of creating a traditional landing pad at the corner, the first two steps were designed as winders of trapezoid shape (they require less space within code) and the remaining steps were designed as rectangular steps to fit the narrow space. CSC 1976-2023 © Century Stair Company ® All rights reserved.

ZeroEnergy Design (ZED) created this modern home for a progressive family in the desirable community of Lexington. Thoughtful Land Connection. The residence is carefully sited on the infill lot so as to create privacy from the road and neighbors, while cultivating a side yard that captures the southern sun. The terraced grade rises to meet the house, allowing for it to maintain a structured connection with the ground while also sitting above the high water table. The elevated outdoor living space maintains a strong connection with the indoor living space, while the stepped edge ties it back to the true ground plane. Siting and outdoor connections were completed by ZED in collaboration with landscape designer Soren Deniord Design Studio. Exterior Finishes and Solar. The exterior finish materials include a palette of shiplapped wood siding, through-colored fiber cement panels and stucco. A rooftop parapet hides the solar panels above, while a gutter and site drainage system directs rainwater into an irrigation cistern and dry wells that recharge the groundwater. Cooking, Dining, Living. Inside, the kitchen, fabricated by Henrybuilt, is located between the indoor and outdoor dining areas. The expansive south-facing sliding door opens to seamlessly connect the spaces, using a retractable awning to provide shade during the summer while still admitting the warming winter sun. The indoor living space continues from the dining areas across to the sunken living area, with a view that returns again to the outside through the corner wall of glass. Accessible Guest Suite. The design of the first level guest suite provides for both aging in place and guests who regularly visit for extended stays. The patio off the north side of the house affords guests their own private outdoor space, and privacy from the neighbor. Similarly, the second level master suite opens to an outdoor private roof deck. Light and Access. The wide open interior stair with a glass panel rail leads from the top level down to the well insulated basement. The design of the basement, used as an away/play space, addresses the need for both natural light and easy access. In addition to the open stairwell, light is admitted to the north side of the area with a high performance, Passive House (PHI) certified skylight, covering a six by sixteen foot area. On the south side, a unique roof hatch set flush with the deck opens to reveal a glass door at the base of the stairwell which provides additional light and access from the deck above down to the play space. Energy. Energy consumption is reduced by the high performance building envelope, high efficiency mechanical systems, and then offset with renewable energy. All windows and doors are made of high performance triple paned glass with thermally broken aluminum frames. The exterior wall assembly employs dense pack cellulose in the stud cavity, a continuous air barrier, and four inches exterior rigid foam insulation. The 10kW rooftop solar electric system provides clean energy production. The final air leakage testing yielded 0.6 ACH 50 - an extremely air tight house, a testament to the well-designed details, progress testing and quality construction. When compared to a new house built to code requirements, this home consumes only 19% of the energy. Architecture & Energy Consulting: ZeroEnergy Design Landscape Design: Soren Deniord Design Paintings: Bernd Haussmann Studio Photos: Eric Roth Photography

This tiny house is a remodel project on a house with two bedrooms, plus a sleeping loft, as photographed. It was originally built in the 1970's, converted to serve as an Air BnB in a resort community. It is in-the-works to remodel again, this time coming up to current building codes including a conventional switchback stair and full bath on each floor. Upon completion it will become a plan for sale on the website Down Home Plans.

Mid-sized trendy wooden straight open staircase photo in Milwaukee

Large trendy wooden straight open staircase photo in New York

Staircase - mid-sized traditional wooden u-shaped metal railing staircase idea in Chicago with wooden risers

Challenging space constraints and owners desire for a sleek and sturdy staircase became the inspirational requirements for a very custom staircase featuring no risers, 2" thick oak treads with 4" nose drops, 2 solid stringers, and horizontal metal balusters with a modern oak rail profile. Instead of creating a traditional landing pad at the corner, the first two steps were designed as winders of trapezoid shape (they require less space within code) and the remaining steps were designed as rectangular steps to fit the narrow space. CSC 1976-2023 © Century Stair Company ® All rights reserved.

Ocean Works recently collaborated with general contractors to put the finishing touches on a large multi-use building. Ocean Works’ custom ironwork appeared in the two interior stair towers, the front balcony railings, and perimeter railings and gate. For the interior stair towers, Ocean Works created pan stairs made to custom specifications and readied for concrete fill. Paired with our wrought iron railings, the interior stairs are an example of Ocean Works ability to work with a contractor to meet a buildings’ needs as well as meeting building code specifications. Ocean Works helped execute the architectural design in front of the building adding front balcony railings made according to architectural renderings. All railings were powder-coated to ensure a long-lasting finish. Ocean Works used this same method to complete the perimeter railings for the side and back of the building. Adding to the building’s modern style, Ocean Works also created a stylish and functional gate.

With a view as beautiful as this, the best option for a modern railing was clearly glass railing. The minimal, frameless glass supports help emphasize the gorgeous view. Ascend Talons constructed from 2205 Stainless Steel are used for the stair railing, with a metal rail on top. The 1.5″ glass cap rail creates a perfect, code complaint graspable handrail. For their level railing, these homeowners used low profiled Surface Mount Talons with Viewrail’s low iron glass railing. This railing perfect matches the modern, light style of the home.

One unique and beloved feature of this home, was the existing floating staircase. We quickly noticed the structural concerns with the staircase: no guard rail on the open side of the staircase and significantly inconsistent heights between each stair tread. Our Master Carpenter, Dennis, used shims to modify the stair tread heights to be within the code-acceptable difference, and strengthened the stair tread structure in order to support this beautiful metal cable rail system so that the original stairs can continue to remain in the home forever.

One unique and beloved feature of this home, was the existing floating staircase. We quickly noticed the structural concerns with the staircase: no guard rail on the open side of the staircase and significantly inconsistent heights between each stair tread. Our Master Carpenter, Dennis, used shims to modify the stair tread heights to be within the code-acceptable difference, and strengthened the stair tread structure in order to support this beautiful metal cable rail system so that the original stairs can continue to remain in the home forever.

Mid-sized elegant screened-in back porch photo in Atlanta with a roof extension

Polyurethane Decorative 8' Balustrade Section #FDC 2006 8" BALUSTRADE DIVIDER - ASSEMBLED SECTION w/ 12 BALUSTRADES - 13" TOP RAIL & 8" BOTTOM RAIL - end post not included (PLEASE NOTE - BALUSTRADES ARE DECORATIVE ONLY AND WILL NOT PASS CODE FOR INSPECTION)

Traditional wood and wrought iron staircase installation completed in Commack, NY. This classic design features solid wood newel posts, decorative wrought iron balusters, and smooth hardwood handrails. The elegant detailing adds warmth, character, and timeless appeal while maintaining durability and safety. Our team handled custom fabrication and professional installation to ensure structural strength and code compliance. We specialize in modern stair and railing systems across Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk County), all five boroughs of New York City — Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island — as well as nearby areas of Upstate New York. Contact us today for a free estimate.

Traditional wood and wrought iron staircase installation completed in Commack, NY. This classic design features solid wood newel posts, decorative wrought iron balusters, and smooth hardwood handrails. The elegant detailing adds warmth, character, and timeless appeal while maintaining durability and safety. Our team handled custom fabrication and professional installation to ensure structural strength and code compliance. We specialize in modern stair and railing systems across Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk County), all five boroughs of New York City — Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island — as well as nearby areas of Upstate New York. Contact us today for a free estimate.

The original poorly-lit and narrow staircase failed to meet IRC code requirements, necessitating a wider and more accommodating design. To structurally secure the new spacious welded steel and solid oak free-floating staircase and to move the catwalk by three feet involved close collaboration with structural engineers and the implementation of a steel I beam extending from the front toward the back of the house, with a 45-degree turn to connect with existing structural supports on the second floor.