What We Build
A staircase or railing is often the first thing people notice when they walk into a house. It has to look right, feel solid under your hand, and meet code. We design and build each one for the specific house it goes in, from a simple deck rail to a floating staircase that anchors a great room.
- Interior stair railings in steel, iron, wood-and-steel and glass
- Floating and curved staircases with steel stringers and custom treads
- Exterior and deck railings built for snow, sun and freeze-thaw
- Cable and glass rail systems that keep the lake or mountain view open
- Loft and balcony railings, including rails for bunk beds and kids’ rooms
- Ornamental and themed rails, from hand-forged scrollwork to wildlife designs
- Gates and entry pieces for driveways, gardens and courtyards
- Repairs and additions that match ironwork you already have
Who We Work With
Homeowners. Bring us a sketch, a photo you saved, or just the space. We’ll help you choose a style, a material and a finish that suit the house, and give you a clear quote before any steel is cut.
Custom home builders and contractors. We work from your plans, coordinate with your schedule, and show up when we say we will. You get one fabricator responsible for the stair or rail from shop drawing to final install.
Architects and interior designers. We build to your design intent and tell you early when a detail needs to change for structure or code. Unlimited design revisions are included on quoted projects.
How It Works
- Consultation. We talk through the space, how you use it, and the look you want. For most stair and rail jobs we visit the site and take field measurements.
- Design. You get drawings and material and finish options to review. We adjust until it’s right, and confirm guard height, baluster spacing and handrail details meet code.
- Fabrication. Every piece is cut, welded and finished in our Minden shop using steel sourced from the USA and North America.
- Installation. We install every stair and rail we build, so the fit is checked by the people who made it.
Why Iron Dog
Owner Sean Maloney learned the trade in a blacksmith shop in Loomis, California, building ornamental railings, gates and staircases by hand. Twenty-plus years later, he still brings that eye for detail to every stair and rail we make.
- Made for mountain homes. We’ve spent years working around Lake Tahoe and know what snow load, freeze-thaw and high-altitude sun do to exterior metal. Our finishes are chosen to last.
- You talk to the person building it. No sales layer between you and the shop.
- Licensed and bonded in Nevada (#0089960) and California (#1080228), and a member of NOMMA, the National Ornamental & Miscellaneous Metals Association.
- American and North American steel on every job.
“Professional, focused and full of creativity.”
The Waltons, Lake Tahoe homeowners
FAQ
Will my railing meet code?
Yes. We design every stair and rail to the residential building code adopted where you live, which typically means guards at least 36 inches high on decks and lofts, openings small enough that a 4-inch sphere can’t pass through, and handrails between 34 and 38 inches. We’ll flag anything in a design that won’t pass before it’s built.
Cable, glass or pickets for a view deck?
Cable and glass keep the view most open. Glass blocks wind but needs cleaning; cable is lower-maintenance but needs solid posts to stay tight. Steel pickets are the most durable and work well for snowy decks. We’ll walk you through the trade-offs for your site.
How long does a custom staircase or railing take?
Most railing projects take 2 to 4 weeks from approved design to installation, and custom staircases take 4-6 weeks. We’ll give you a schedule with your quote.
Can you match ironwork I already have?
Often, yes. Send us photos and we’ll match the profile, pattern and finish as closely as possible.
Where do you work?
We’re based in Minden and build stairs and rails throughout Carson Valley (Minden, Gardnerville, Genoa, Carson City), Lake Tahoe (South Lake Tahoe, Stateline, Incline Village, Tahoe City, Truckee), Reno and Sparks, and the California foothills.
