Case Studies

Project Details

Property: Multifamily

Location: Nashville, TN

Products: Fe26 Axis Horizontal Steel Railing Infill

Project Team: Minto and Co LLC

Dermot Minto, the owner of Minto and Co LLC, has built a career out of designing and building beautiful homes, townhouses and duplexes in Tennessee, complete with stylish outdoor living spaces. Recently, Dermot took on a project in Nashville, the heart of country music and the city to visit for a bite of hot chicken. He was brought on to build two 12’ x 20’ decks off the back of a duplex before it went back on the market in spring 2024.

The duplex itself is a three-story structure, tucked into a rapidly growing neighborhood located a few minutes north of downtown Nashville. The duplex is divided into two separate residences; the owner can live in one unit and rent out the second unit to bring in additional income.

To elevate this property and maximize usable space, Dermot wanted the conjoined decks to look and feel like personal urban outdoor oases. To turn his concept into reality, he incorporated multiple sought-after outdoor amenities into each deck design: a plunge pool, a hot tub and a fire pit with built-in seating. But there was one last “must-have” outdoor feature that had to be considered—the view beyond the edge of the decks.

Preserving city views on deck

Nashville’s skyline is something to savor. A view of that skyline is a major selling point that can significantly boost property value and rental income potential. Recognizing this opportunity, Dermot wanted to make sure the future deck users could enjoy the cityscape while spending time in these outdoor living spaces. But the duplex was built close to neighboring homes, making privacy a concern. Plus, the two decks are conjoined, which makes creating privacy between the owner and the renter an issue as well. To ensure that the occupants in both units can comfortably enjoy their outdoor living space, Dermot partially enclosed the decks with solid privacy walls, leaving only the side facing the Nashville skyline open. It was on this open side that Dermot knew deck railing would be key to preserving the city views.

Versatile steel railing can be personalized to meet project design vision

Dermot envisioned a long-lasting, contemporary deck railing that ensured the safety of deck users without making them feel confined or boxed in. Ultimately, Dermot knew he needed to choose a railing system that served up “aesthetics and longevity,” he reported. While looking for a railing that could check off these boxes, he came across Fe²⁶ Axis horizontal steel railing infill panels from Fortress Building Products.

In application, the clean, horizontal lines of this award-winning steel railing system effortlessly frame the cityscape, highlighting the property’s best-selling feature. Made from pre-galvanized steel, the sleek railing infill safely encloses the outdoor spaces without blocking the surroundings beyond the edge of each deck. The railing infill’s barely-there appearance keeps sightlines open, which creates the illusion that the bite-sized decks are larger, brighter and more spacious.

A versatile railing option, Dermot paired the Fe²⁶ Axis horizontal steel railing infill panels with wooden posts to accommodate his design vision for the project. "Both metal and wood post options look fantastic. The choice depends on the overall style of the house," Dermot noted. Taking inspiration from Nashville’s eclectic style, Dermot decided to go for a mix of modern and rustic appeal. Leaning into his vision, he raised the wooden posts higher than the top rail and paired them with more traditional-looking post caps. “An ultra-modern deck wouldn’t fit in with an older duplex, so this customization strikes the right balance and ensures a cohesive final look,” Dermot explained.

Durable nature of steel directly translates to low maintenance appeal

With one unit reserved for private use and the other potentially serving as a rental, Dermot recognized that each outdoor living space might be used and cared for differently. For example, the full-time owner might spend time on their deck daily, whereas the deck on the rental might be used less or more frequently depending on when the unit was occupied. Dermot also recognized that short-term unit occupants are less likely to roll up their sleeves to perform deck railing maintenance. This means the duplex owner will face the additional responsibility of keeping both outdoor living spaces in pristine condition. In any case, Dermot wanted to spare the future owner the burden of constant deck railing upkeep on both units.

Having worked with different railing materials throughout his career, Dermot shared that he found metal railing to be a better long-term choice over traditional wood railing because of its proven durability. To the benefit of the duplex owner, the horizontal steel railing infill panels that enclose the duplex decks are inherently resistant to moisture absorption and the damaging effects of weathering. As a result, the panels will maintain their integrity even after years of exposure to Nashville’s hot and humid summers and cool and wet winters. This enhanced durability directly translates to steel railing’s low maintenance appeal. Some regular, gentle clearing with a soft sponge and soapy water will prevent dirt and common air pollutants from building up on the railing.

What’s more, Fe²⁶ Axis horizontal steel railing infill panels also sport a premium powder coating that provides enhanced corrosion resistance and protection against harmful UV rays. In turn, the owner can rest easy knowing the steel railing on both decks will continue to look great over its service life with minimal upkeep.

Horizontal steel railing infill panels bring style and longevity to this Nashville project

In a densely populated urban destination like Nashville, compact outdoor spaces need to make the most of every inch of usable space. Dermot’s choice of Fe²⁶ Axis horizontal steel railing infill panels offers both units a perfect balance of privacy and openness. The result is functional and inviting outdoor living spaces that the future owner and tenants can enjoy for years. And because the railing system leverages the durability and longevity of steel, the owner can spend more time enjoying their on-deck amenities instead of performing cost- and labor-intensive upkeep on both units. We’ll cheers to that.

To bring the benefits of Fe²⁶ Axis horizontal steel railing (or any Fortress® railing) to your next project, reach out to your local Fortress Building Products Rep or click on our Where to Buy tab.