Case Studies

Project Details

Property: Quail Ridge

Location: Oklahoma City, OK

Products: Evolution steel deck framing and stair system

Tom Wyche’s job is making his multifamily clients look good, while keeping their residents safe.

As the owner of Oklahoma City-based General Property Construction, which renovates approximately 500 units per year, Wyche focuses on the exterior elements of apartment communities that make an immediate impression on prospective residents: balconies, railings, and stairs.

“Most garden-style properties are going to have exterior stairs and second floor balconies that are fairly prominent,” Wyche says. “They literally stick out at you. They’re the first things you see.”

But what prospects—as well as apartment operator clients—may not see are the lurking maintenance issues that befall wooden balconies, as well as untreated metal railings and stairs.

“Water penetration is always going to be a problem on balconies, railings, and stairs,” Wyche says. “Wood rots, and the wrought iron railings and untreated steel stairs rust and leave streaks on the exterior.”

For those reasons, during thousands of renovations over his 25-year career, he’s been looking for solutions that can address all of his clients’ needs. But that's hard to come by. 

Until now. He thinks he’s finally cracked the code for all three with Fortress Building Products. The Texas-based manufacturer offers its Evolution steel framing and stair system, which is ideal for upper-level balconies.

“Fortress® is the only one that has a complete system,” Wyche says. “They’ve put a lot of thought into how it all goes together and the different components and brackets they supply.”

For instance, he says not only does the Evolution steel framing and stair system eliminate hidden wood rot under balconies and stairs, but its powder coating also helps it resist rust longer. “It's all powder-coated and painted from the factory,” he adds. “Everything has a nice, uniform look that makes a big difference in the final appearance of the property.”

The comprehensive balcony framing system helps Wyche achieve his job goals—making his clients look good and keeping their residents safe at the same time.