Bringing Visions to Life
How Custom Metalwork Moves from Design to Installation
While no two Stewart Iron Works projects are the same, there’s one factor they all have in common: the custom support we bring clients at every stage. To ensure we’re always putting the customer first — a core value at Stewart — we deliver our trusted capabilities in a variety of ways. Each approach provides its own strengths and advantages for custom solutions that are as unique as our clients’ visions. Learn more about our collaborative process and tailored delivery methods that transform ideas into reality.
Determining the approach.
In general, our capabilities are delivered in one of three ways: Design Build, Fab + Ship or Installation. Here, we break down each method to help you determine which is right for you.
Design Build
What is Design Build?
Design Build is an industry-wide term that refers to the streamlining of architectural design, engineering, and construction within a single scope. At Stewart Iron Works, many of our projects are considered Design Build, as we work closely with our clients from the initial bidding and estimating phase through to design, fabrication and installation. Whether our client is the project’s architect, construction manager, institution or individual, Design Build means we collaborate at every step to ensure effective, creative solutions.
How does a typical Design Build project work?
The process always begins by understanding our client’s vision. If our client is an architect, they often come to us with a loose sketch or some concept of design intent. If we’re working with an independent institution or individual, they might require more creative input from the beginning. Either way, we quickly pull in our expert detailers to translate these ideas into actual drawings with dimensions and specs.
From here, we work with our client to finalize the details. For larger projects — typically those involving moving or heavy components — an engineer is often brought in to review the plans, flag any hazards, and outline any required specifications or modifications.
Which projects benefit from Design Build?
Any type of project can benefit from a Design Build approach, from Division 5 commercial metal packages and Division 32 exterior improvements to custom and historic metal. We do find, however, that custom and historic projects tend to allow for more creative flexibility than industrial projects that are more utility in nature.
How can I determine if Design Build is right for my project?
Once we get to know you and your project, we’ll walk you through our vision of the best way to bring yours to life.
Fab + Ship
What is Fab + Ship?
Fab + Ship refers to a process where Stewart Iron Works fabricates custom metalwork in our Northern Kentucky shop and ships it to our clients to be installed. With Fab + Ship, we fabricate the product but do not install it. Elements of our Design Build process, such as close collaboration with architects and engineers and creative problem solving, are often present in Fab + Ship projects. The key difference is that while we safely and carefully transport the finished products, our clients vet and choose their own trusted installer.
Which projects benefit from Fab + Ship?
The Fab + Ship method most commonly applies to gates, fences and arches. Typically, a client selects a gate, fence or archway from the Stewart Iron Works catalog, but we also fabricate and ship completely custom products too. As we work with clients all across the country, Fab + Ship can be a more economical choice for clients who are located far from Stewart’s headquarters. We’ve shipped completed commercial and ornamental metal pieces as far as Washington and Maine with excellent results.
How can I determine if Fab + Ship is right for my project?
A client’s budget and scope will often determine if Fab + Ship is the ideal method for a particular project. Especially for clients who are located a great distance away from Stewart Iron Works, Fab + Ship can be the most cost effective and efficient approach.
Installation
What is Installation?
Installation refers to installation only, meaning Stewart Iron Works does not fabricate the product, but our specialized craftspeople install it.
Which projects require installation only?
A common product Stewart Iron Works installs but does not fabricate is decorative glass railing systems. Decorative glass railings are a popular choice across many industries due to their sleek, modern look. But they often feature curved panes, raked glass, and other custom specs, making them complex to install. Stewart is trusted by the leading glass railing manufacturers to tackle these custom projects with the expertise, precision, and attention to detail we are known for.
We also occasionally install metalwork we do not fabricate. Typically, these are utility pieces such as safety railings and traffic barriers where function is the sole priority. We tend to see this in projects where the scope also includes custom metalwork that we design, fabricate and install. In these cases, we provide the additional installation services as a courtesy to our clients, not only to boost project efficiency but also to ensure the best possible installation results.
How can I determine if Installation is right for my project?
As with Fab + Ship, the scope often indicates whether a project requires Installation only. Our team will discuss your vision with you and help you determine the right approach for your needs.
Stewart Iron Works delivers our trusted capabilities in a variety of ways because we know no two projects are alike. We believe in putting the customer first and doing it right, which is why we strive to provide custom support options that simplify challenges and deliver creative solutions that transform complex visions into stunning realities.
For a partner you can trust backed by metal expertise you won’t find anywhere else, please reach out and let us help you craft your vision.