Construction season is well underway in America. During this busy time of year, project managers and contractors are on the lookout for new tools and technologies to make sure their new builds are completed on schedule. As a leader in modern metals manufacturing, Midwest Iron’s innovative bolt-on balcony offers a brilliantly simple way to do

When it comes to building and installing stairs, you can’t take any chances. Safety and quality are paramount. At Midwest Iron, we are well aware of the high standards for construction, which is why safety and quality are at the core of everything we do. We offer a Quality Promise in all of our work

In the rapidly changing landscape of architecture and construction, the acceleration of build times has become a prominent trend. Fueled by a demand for efficiency, innovative construction techniques, and advancements in technology, this shift is particularly notable in response to the evolving requirements of contemporary living. The surge in remote work has not only reshaped

According to the most recent data available from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), the time it takes to complete a multifamily construction project rose from 17 months in 2021 to 19.8 months in 2022. Several factors may have influenced the time it takes to complete multifamily construction projects. However, the lingering effects of

The construction industry is extremely competitive – that’s why it’s so important to pay attention to emerging trends. Keeping track of trends can be tricky because they seem to be constantly changing, but Midwest Iron is here to help. In this blog, we’ll explain the construction and design trends we’re seeing in 2025, and we’ll

Step on an aluminum balcony and take in the scenery at the latest ultra-luxury rental at the NorthShore 770. The NorthShore 770 makes one desire to live in an apartment, and the NorthShore 770 seems to provide amazing opportunities to truly live up.

Stairs Reminiscent of MC Escher This photo of an in process stair railing installation brings to mind the Relativity drawing by MC Escher. MC Escher was a genius at mathematical relationships, order, symmetry, perception, perspective, and the ability to think 3D in a 2D space; some of the key characteristics that embody architects and drafters.

To keep the sign from falling off the building facade, Midwest created an unusual custom steel frame to adapt to the unique requirements.

In order to help the pieces of this project come together, Midwest Stairs & Iron partnered with SignEffectz for the construction of the sign itself, and general contractor Hunzinger Construction. This capability is part of the miscellaneous metals division.

We had a great time, and connected with a lot of inspiring architects at BONDMulti. It was highly informative to learn about the construction growth in the United States. http://www.bondmulti.com

Howard attended the Las Vegas Ironworkers Convention. One thing that resonated is IMPACT’s attention and goal of no accidents, with a countdown to zero fatalities safety and awareness campaign. Here is the Ironworkers Safety Webcast on the statistics and their plan to countdown to zero: http://youtu.be/hkiSOPRhxTo Midwest Stairs & Iron is thankful to report through our

Know Egress Lighting Options, Codes, and Requirements Responsibility is key to safely illuminating egress paths. The responsibility of planning egress lighting within buildings generally lies with the engineer, architect, or both. In either case, an egress marking system is one of the last in the design phase, but can be one of the most important.

Get Custom Shop Drawings to Use in Your Architectural Design The key to success is collaboration. This is what we focus on here at Midwest Stairs & Iron where we believe in developing relationships focused on teamwork. Each of our clients has its individual needs, therefore requiring its own unique product. We know that each project

You may have noticed that all over the United States, high-rise apartment complexes are popping up in every major city. More and more young professionals are seeking housing in cities near their places of work, and this requires developers to meet that demand. The most popular trend we are seeing with the urban apartments and

Here are a few trends in modern multifamily complexes: Give the complex a trendy name, Add amenities, and Use things like a powder coated aluminum balcony color to differentiate from other multifamily buildings. The Trio in Milwaukee is a trendy name complex comprised of three buildings. This new multifamily property has unique amenities like a

You can find this steel staircase in the new Kohl’s Kitch cafeteria. Kohl’s is attracting talent with a new modern corporate dining facility called ‘The Kitch’, which features a steel staircase and architectural metal panels by Midwest Stairs & Iron. (Actually, the feature is wood fired pizza and custard options, with a metal feature serving

The Challenge The challenge is balancing the requirements of budget and timing with elements of design, code, and fabrication. Anyone can build a steel stair that can last 100 years, if you have an unlimited budget. The Solution Today, you have to figure out a way to construct an egress system that will meet building codes

—What Expertise is Required for Misc Metals? Misc metals often requires engineering, forward thinking, and customization. This area of steel construction requires small picture thinking, as we have to hunt and peck through drawings so that nothing goes amiss. To be an expert in misc metals, you have to know your own metals trade plus

An efficient balcony system just bolts on. Construction projects require time efficiencies, and property owners always like money efficiencies. We take these key aspects into consideration for the bolt on balcony systems. Our current record for installing bolt on balconies is 24 balconies in 5 hours at the 1st and Washington project. This record installation

The fabrication of modern curved steel stairs takes precision, focus, and a lot of pre-planning.

Aluminum is a good sustainable choice for a building retrofit. Recently, Midwest Stairs & Iron completed a building retrofit with an aluminum balcony system to an 1800s building. Most often historic preservation can be a choice of: restoration for historical reasons, or renovation as part of sustainable design. Did you know aluminum is a good

The Workers Who Bring Architectural Metal to Life Today and everyday is a day to recognize those who make all of the planning efforts come to life. While many of us debate on aesthetics and how to get it done, the metal fabricators quietly get it done without the need for recognition or notoriety. Their

The Arch of Septimius Severus in Rome, painted by Canaletto in 1742. Five bollards stand beyond the arch, apparently placed to protect it from vehicle damage. Use a Bollard to Protect Building Structures A bollard is part of a miscellaneous metals package to help protect structures, or direct road traffic. Bollards vary in shapes and

Beaumont Place by the Mandel Group is complete and ready for residents to enjoy the spacious aluminum balconies. Midwest Stairs & Iron worked alongside VJS Construction Services to help create the Beaumont Place apartments.

Bolt on balconies are safer than cantilever balconies. The recent tragedy of the cantilever balcony in Berkeley, CA raised awareness of the potential catastrophic failure of cantilever balconies. The tragedy demonstrated how hidden joists can hide dangerous rotting conditions, within just eight years!

Governor Walker proclaimed November 2 to 8 as Apprenticeship Week in Wisconsin. Midwest Stairs & Iron has three (3) people in the Wisconsin Registered Apprenticeship Iron Workers Local 8 program, who are receiving on the job learning at the Northwestern Mutual construction site. Midwest Stairs & Iron has a strong belief in training people who

Commercial Construction Demands Fast Timelines and Accuracy for Steel Fabrication An idea of increasing speed leads Midwest Stairs & Iron to add the PythonX CNC machine along it’s group of talented individuals and steel fabrication services. The robotic CNC machine will expand steel fabrication services to help structural steel companies outsource their tapped capacity, and

Learn How Custom Perforated Metal Panels Add Form and Function to Parking Structures Good parking structure design with the addition of custom perforated metal panels are fast becoming norm for new and existing parking structures. The design of parking facilities used to purely be about operational function, which left the urban landscape many eye sore

Details matter with a modern floating staircase. Suspended, cantilevered treads, continuously welded tube… Details matter when you want to float a steel staircase with marble and glass railing. The new Milwaukee Northwestern Mutual office tower features a monumental floating staircase. This a-typical monumental steel stair floats alongside a perfectly patterned marble wall (created by another

Pre-Assembled Bolt On System Means Easy Install The Scott at Brush Park multifamily project required larger than standard size balconies, with shipment from Wisconsin to Michigan. The extra challenge of these large sized balconies was that the balcony arrive preassembled. Midwest Stairs & Iron believes balconies should arrive fully welded and pre-assembled to save install

Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Susanna Lai Phone: 414-716-8428 Email: slai@mailwagner.com Midwest Iron Announces Acquisition by Wagner Joining Forces to Enhance Product Offerings and Manufacturing Capabilities MILWAUKEE (February 3, 2025)— Midwest Stairs and Iron, Inc. (doing business as Midwest Iron) is pleased to announce its acquisition by R&B Wagner, Inc. (doing business as Wagner),

Midwest Iron’s Commercial Balcony Customization As millennials assume executive positions, their decision-making priorities are reshaping the business world. A key area of focus is work-life balance. At Midwest Iron, we are seeing new expectations for workspaces and residential environments to better align with millennial values. Companies are sticking to hybrid and flexible schedules, and as

Elevate your projects with our cutting-edge approaches, innovative design techniques, and unwavering commitment to quality. The Evolution of Steel Stairs: From Functional to Phenomenal Stairs are no longer merely functional elements within a space used to transport from A to B. Today, they stand as architectural statements, seamlessly blending form and function. Our team at