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Tuesday, February 19 2019 / Published in Aluminum Balconies, Balcony Safety, Balcony System, Bolt On Balcony

Learn About Modern Balcony Design

What is a modern balcony?

Modern Balconies as a Necessary Design Feature

Modern balconies in multifamily construction are hot right now. Residents want balconies for connection outside of their living space…to feel breathtaking views, take in the sounds of nature, or view the bustling city from above. Subsequently, balconies are now a necessary design feature. This increased balcony demand creates a need for a modern way of thinking about balconies.

What Makes a Modern Balcony?

Historically, balconies were made with cantilevered wood and steel, which need frequent upkeep and become unsightly and unsafe over time. The current building industry trend uses aluminum for balconies, and adds prefabrication to meet construction demands. Aluminum prefabricated balconies represent the modern era by making installation easier, occupants safer, and they are almost maintenance free. This article in gb&d magazine talks more about why modern balconies meet modern construction demands.

One of the great elements of a modern aluminum balcony is that they’re really ready to hang; you have the entire component, it’s powder coated, ready to bolt on the building. Some of the differences of a ready-to-hang modern aluminum balcony are superior safety, limited upkeep, and design appeal. And for an owner it’s great to have that control over the schedule; there’s a real benefit versus the past piecemeal solution.

Here are some features of a modern balcony:

  • Shipped pre-assembled to construction site—saves field install time
  • Typically made out of aluminum—longevity over steel and wood
  • Weigh less than steel—construction and shipping efficiencies
  • Powder coated—variety of color options
  • New design features such as angles, colored glass, and a multitude of railing options—skies the limit for design ideas
  • Smooth soffit without joists—balconies look good below and above
  • Nearly maintenance free—no unsightly rust or rotting

Early Adopter of Prefabricated Aluminum Balconies

Howard Wurgler, owner of Midwest Stairs & Iron and early adopter of prefab aluminum balconies, says, “the design of our balcony is very strong. We don’t use the thinnest possible materials. I would rather use heavier materials and a better structure because I have people who are going to be on these balconies, and I have to make sure if there is a child, or 10 adults on there, people can be on the balcony without fail; it’s a very well built system, it’s all welded.” All of the aluminum balconies at Midwest Stairs & Iron are custom designed, based on the unique needs and specifications of the project.

Example of Modern Options for Aluminum Balconies

Aluminum balconies have evolved into something that offers many different options. For instance, the North End project in Milwaukee, WI has multiple buildings, and each building has a different balcony design. Some of the aluminum balconies have glass, some cable rails, some mesh panels, and some colored glass. The architect wanted to make a unique urban look where the design variations worked together to create a cohesive expression.

Altogether consumers will continue to seek out the newest and best of everything. As long as developers continue to push the limits of design and function Midwest Stairs & Iron will continue to answer the call. To ensure the client’s vision is maintained throughout the process, Midwest Stairs & Iron collaborates with architects on design. Give Midwest Stairs & Iron a call to get the latest insights on modern balconies.

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Project Coordinator

Personality Traits

  • Must love spreadsheets, systems, planning, and sitting at a desk most of the time
  • Level-headed
  • Personable
  • Ability to balance stressful conditions, stress tolerance
  • Strong communication skills (phone, email, in person)
  • Adaptability
  • Whatever it takes, get it done
  • Strong emotional intelligence

Key Abilities

  • Project Coordinating
  • Problem Management
  • Flexible to Change
  • Customer Relationship Management
  • Manage Frequent Interruptions
  • Critical thinking and problem solving skills
  • Planning and organizing
  • Conflict management
  • Strong construction or manufacturing intelligence

Job Responsibilities General Summary

  • Run multiple projects
  • Serve as customer liaison
  • Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, implementation, execution, control and completion of specific projects ensuring consistency with company strategy, commitments and goals
  • Plan for and resolve unexpected delays, production issues or schedule recovery options
  • Develop and monitor project budgets
  • Review and find replacements for discarded or rejected products, materials, and equipment not meeting specifications
  • Supply production capabilities and labor estimates to aid in bids and customer proposals
  • Keep track of calendars
  • Support the planning and implementation of project
  • Facilitate the definition of project scope, goals and deliverables
  • Define project tasks and resource requirements
  • Develop full scale project plans Assemble and coordinate project staff
  • Manage project budget
  • Manage project resource allocation
  • Plan and schedule project timelines
  • Track project deliverables using appropriate tools
  • Provide direction and support to project team
  • Constantly monitor and report on progress of the project to all stakeholders
  • Present reports defining project progress, problems and solutions Implement and manage project changes and interventions to achieve project outputs
  • Project evaluations and assessment of results

Apply Now

Project Manager

Personality Traits

  • Must love spreadsheets, systems, planning, and sitting at a desk most of the time
  • Level-headed
  • Personable
  • Ability to balance stressful conditions, stress tolerance
  • Strong communication skills (phone, email, in person) Adaptability Whatever it takes, get it done
  • Manager of chaos
  • Strong emotional intelligence

Key Abilities

  • Budget Management
  • Project Coordinating
  • Problem Management
  • Flexible to Change
  • Customer Relationship Management
  • Manage Frequent Interruptions
  • Critical thinking and problem solving skills
  • Planning and organizing
  • Decision-making Influencing and leading
  • Delegation
  • Strong construction or manufacturing intelligence

Job Responsibilities General Summary

  • Run multiple projects
  • Serve as customer liaison
  • Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, implementation, execution, control and completion of specific projects ensuring consistency with company strategy, commitments and goals
  • Plan for and resolve unexpected delays, production issues or schedule recovery options
  • Supply production capabilities and labor estimates to aid in bids and customer proposals
  • Provide project direction; generate product design changes and workspace layout modification to existing production standards to achieve optimum quality and efficiency
  • Facilitate the definition of project scope, goals and deliverables
  • Define project tasks and resource requirements
  • Develop full scale project plans
  • Assemble and coordinate project staff
  • Manage project budget
  • Manage project resource allocation
  • Plan and schedule project timelines
  • Provide direction and support to project team
  • Constantly monitor and report on progress of the project to all stakeholders
  • Present reports defining project progress, problems and solutions Implement and manage project changes and interventions to achieve project outputs

Apply Now

Estimator

The Estimator is part of the Sales Department. The Estimator is responsible for providing accurate pricing, and forward-thinking of projects.

Key Abilities

  • Forward thinker
  • Adept in mathematics (primarily geometry, spatial relations)
  • Work with technical/mechanical numbers, such as those on architectural drawings
  • Good at follow thru
  • Conceptual thinking
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Ability to prioritize
  • Building relationships
  • Manage tight deadlines
  • Major responsibility of accurately forecasting the budget for a project Identify problems, provide solutions
  • Keen analytical skills
  • Budget development (ability to work numbers backwards and forwards)
  • Vendor relationships
  • Reporting skills
  • Decision making
  • Documentation skills
  • Experience with metal shapes and sizes

Job Responsibilities

  • Review architectural drawings for items that need pricing
  • Analyze blueprints, specifications and other related documents to prepare time, cost, material, equipment and labor estimates
  • Resolve discrepancies by collecting and analyzing information
  • Present prepared estimates with collected data in a formal quote
  • Create Schedule of Values
  • Responsible for accurately calculating and projecting total costs
  • Ensure that we know everything required to successfully bid and win the project
  • Identify ways to improve project costs, or ways to improve overall end use of project
  • Prepares work to be accomplished by gathering information and requirements; setting priorities
  • Prepares budget by studying plans; updating specifications; identifying and projecting costs
  • Bid compilation (e.g. may require writing, mathematical, presentation creating skills, fill out forms)

Communications

  • Work with General Contractors, Engineers and Architects Follow-up to ensure that bids are received
  • Work with the Project Management teams to follow-up on bids and budgets to close the business
  • Professional relationship building is key
  • Be friendly and known as the person to get it done
  • Networking (predominantly with architects and general contractors)

Tools: Proficient in basic computer software programs, such as Microsoft Office, basic internet search engines and applications. data research programs such as BidClerk; 80% sitting at a desk, with a computer doing administrative/detailed work 20% on the phone with prospects and clients

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TEKLA Software Drafter / Detailer

Job Description: Be a TEKLA Software Drafter / Detailer for Midwest Stairs & Iron, a rapidly growing company. You get to be part of the design process with architects and engineers. Be involved in all facets from submittal drawings to fabrication drawings. You get to forward think about how things work with the finished result and with how the finished piece will impact other construction trades.

Job Purpose: Basically, make heads and tails to fabricate what the architect wants, what constructing the building needs, and what the engineer needs us to calc out. It’s more than just lines, it requires thinking backwards and forwards.

Duties:

  • Plans mechanical drawings by reviewing sketches, descriptions, specifications, and supporting documents; conferring with engineers and architects.
  • Prepares mechanical sketches and drawings by rendering sectional, auxiliary, and multiviews, sub-assemblies, pictorials, dimensions, and developments; producing two- and three-dimensional orthographic projections using computer aided design (CAD) and pictorial techniques; producing three-dimensional (3-D) models including 3-D and spherical coordinates.
  • Prepares supporting information by developing bills of materials; standard parts, and fasteners.
  • Modifies drawings by analyzing, resolving, and incorporating changes.
  • Documents work by recording data and drawings; updating databases.
  • Complies with legal requirements by adhering to codes and regulations.
  • Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading technical publications.
  • Accomplishes organization goals by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.

Skills/Qualifications: TEKLA Software, Drafting, Drafting Tools, Design Skills, Conceptual Skills, Presentation Skills, Functional and Technical Skills, Thoroughness, Analyzing Information

Benefits: Pay goes with experience…ability to jump right in, gets you more. Insurance Vacation 401K

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Steel Welder

Job duties and training will include:

  • Join steel metal pieces together with the use of MIG welding techniques
  • Learn different welding types and what works best for the application, and what makes for a quality weld in looks and safety
  • Study shop blueprints and learn how to translate what is drawn to the fabricated piece
  • Be able to coordinate working space with the working space of others
  • Stand up to 10 hours a day Be able to lift at least 50 lbs Good vision to keep a steady eye on the weld
  • Tape measuring skills for accurate measure of material, know the importance of waste prevention
  • Know the limits of the machine Understand average time requirements for production and learn skills to get to that point
  • Grow to an advanced point of working with little to no supervision

Apply Now

Aluminum Welder

Job duties and training will include:

  • Join aluminum metal pieces together with the use of MIG welding techniques
  • Learn different welding types and what works best for the application, and what makes for a quality weld in looks and safety
  • Study shop blueprints and learn how to translate what is drawn to the fabricated piece
  • Be able to coordinate working space with the working space of others
  • Stand up to 10 hours a day Be able to lift at least 50 lbs
  • Good vision to keep a steady eye on the weld
  • Tape measuring skills for accurate measure of material, know the importance of waste prevention
  • Know the limits of the machine Understand average time requirements for production and learn skills to get to that point
  • Grow to an advanced point of working with little to no supervision

Apply Now