We've Moved!

Dear Architectural Products Blog Reader,

Our posts have found a new home on our brand new Kane Innovations website.  All future posts can be found on our blog via this link: http://www.kaneinnovations.com/blog.

Thanks for sticking with us!

-Kane Innovations Bloggers

Wrought Iron or Aluminum: Can You Tell the Difference?

Pop Quiz:  Is the railing below wrought iron, or aluminum railing?

Flashback Friday: Kane Manufacturing in 1961

We dusted off our 1960s-era photo album to share this great vintage snapshot of Kane Manufacturing's trade show display with our readers.

Marvin Goldman, former Owner of Kane Manufacturing and Vice President of Sales, is pictured on the left.  Goldman and close friend, the late Richard Singer, purchased Kane Manufacturing Corporation in 1959 and operated the metal fabrication company until it was purchased by current ownership in 1988.  

Kane Manufacturing was founded in 1890.

To learn more about Kane Manufacturing, CLICK HERE.

INFOGRAPHIC: Infamous Architectural Failures

"BIM"- FOGRAPHIC: Improving Healthcare Buildings with BIM

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is changing the way architects conceptualize, plan and design.  BIM extends beyond typical 3-D modeling to prevent potential design problems and improve safety, all while saving the building owner/customer both money and time.

A number of Kane Screens and Kane Detention products can be found in BIM format, which are available here and here.  But before you go, be sure check out Autodesk's infographic, "Improving Healthcare Buildings with BIM" to learn more about what this technology is doing for hospital construction.

VIDEO: Chicago - 5 Great Buildings

From Lincoln Park 2550 to 235 Van Buren and the Contemporaine, Sterling Dula Architectural Railings has done quite a bit of work on Chicago highrises over the years.

Below, we pay homage the windy city's more well-known architecture with this repost created by Al Boardman.

Chicago - 5 Great Buildings infographic by alboardman.

To learn more about architectural railings for condominiums, high rise hotels, resorts, apartment buildings and more, CLICK HERE.

6 Things To Expect (& Require) from Your Railing Installer

The architectural railing has been designed, professional engineering calculations have been performed, and the system has been fabricated.

Now comes the next, final and most crucial step of the process - the installation.

Below are 6 things every general contractor should expect from their railing installer:

1.  Skills & Experience - From education and training, to impeccable problem solving skills and the ability to effectively interpret specifications, an experienced railing installer is always a necessity, especially when dealing with tight deadlines and the expectation of flawless, finished work.

2.  Safety - It's imperative that a railing installer be familiar with both building codes and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements.  For example, OSHA requires the use of a "tie-off" anytime an installer is working 6 feet or more above the ground.  Workers should always secure themselves to either an interior steel column or via other approved means of fall prevention.

3.  Cleanliness - Since there will be other subcontractors on the job site, it's important that railing installers respect the space and keep their areas tidy to make it easy for others to work around them.

4.  Great Communication Skills - An installer must be able to communicate effectively and respectfully with other sub-contractors as well as the customer.  Anything less than a professional attitude on the jobsite should be deemed unacceptable.

5.  Correct Tools & Equipment - Installers may encounter some minor problems while out in the field. The right installer for the job will be armed with the correct tools and equipment in order to make any necessary, on-the-spot adjustments. 

6.  Attention to Detail - Whether it's a little ding or a big dent, the railing installer should be expected to document any damaged items and alert the customer and the manufacturer immediately.  This will ensure the timely replacement of any posts, panels or components. 

To learn more about architectural railings, CLICK HERE.

INFOGRAPHIC: How a Living Building Comes to Life

How a Living Building Comes to Life infographic

INFOGRAPHIC: LEED in Motion

This new infographic from USGBC illustrates the many facets of LEED and how the program encourages and implements green building initiatives. 

ECO-MONDAY ROUND-UP #5: Best Green Building Posts

Get ready for another round of recently-published, "Eco-centric" articles and posts in celebration of this week's #EcoMonday:

Minneapolis to build 100 green homes on city's North Side 

What’s Good for the Environment Can Be Good for Business 

GREEN: The new gold in real estate  

O’Hare Airport's Vertical Aeroponic Garden Takes Flight 

Demand Rises For Sustainable And Safe Structures

Green building methods for hospitals in the UAE

Franklin Institute Undergoes Addition, Retrofit Project 

To learn more about living wall systems, CLICK HERE. 

INFOGRAPHIC: It Pays to Go Green!

Why does sustainable architecture matter in small business?
Learn the answer(s) with this infographic from Autodesk's "Line//Shape//Space".

5 Tips from NOAA on How to Prepare for the 2013 Hurricane Season

Hurricane season officially kicks off tomorrow.  To help raise awareness, NOAA's National Hurricane Center has put together a short list of tips on how to prepare for - and survive - the 2013 hurricane season.

1. Know the difference between hurricane and tropical storm “watches” and “warnings.” Areas reported to be on hurricane watch is a warning for residents to be on alert of a potential storm. Areas that are reported to have a storm warning, are required to take immediate actions against safeguarding life.

To Repair or Replace: 4 Detention Equipment Maintenance Tips

Old or faulty equipment can be an inmate
escape problem waiting to happen.

Inmate escape prevention is the number one concern of detention facility personnel.  No matter how vigilant a guard might be, the chances of a prisoner fleeing increase exponentially if faulty equipment is being used.

This is why careful inspection of existing equipment is so important.  Below are some detention equipment maintenance tips to help you determine if your facility's equipment is failing or about to fail.

Repairing or replacing components of a system when you notice a problem can mean the difference between peace of mind for the community, and a dangerous criminal at large.

Best Recent Posts About Architecture

We've compiled links from a variety of sources around the web to connect you with some of the best architectural articles that were recently published.  Enjoy!

What does an Architect do?

Bob Borson at - 3 weeks ago

Ask different architects the details of his or her daily job duties; you'll get a different answer every time. What an architect does on a daily basis depends on where they live, what kind of firm they work for, and a myriad of other factors. That's right, there are options ... more »

INFOGRAPHIC: A Look at Vertical Transportation Inside 1 World Trade Center

Last Friday, May 10, 2013, crews completed the installation of 1 World Trade Center's (1WTC) 408-foot spire.  The spire brings the building to 1,776 ft, making it the tallest structure in the western hemisphere and third-tallest in the world.  Construction on 1WTC began in 2006.

Check out the infographic below by ThyssenKrupp outlining the details of the vertical transportation  system inside 1 World Trade Center.   You may also refer to our previous infographic about 1WTC, which is located here. 

Having trouble viewing the infographic below?  Click here.

INFOGRAPHIC: Most Amazing Construction Projects

What are some of the most amazing construction projects still around today?  Rock and Dirt, a heavy equipment marketplace, answers this question with an eye-catching outline of notable masterpieces worth knowing more about.

Having trouble viewing the infographic?  CLICK HERE. 

Make your construction project amazing with these architectural metal products.

Happy Building Safety Month!

It's no secret that the most important part of the construction process is code compliance and safety.

All this month, the International Code Council is celebrating Building Safety Month - and they're inviting everyone to join in and get educated about the important role code officials play in our everyday lives.  

Building Safety Month's theme for 2013 is Code Officials Keep You Safe.  Each week will focus on a different area of building safety: 

Week 1 | May 6 - May 12:  Fire Safety & Awareness

Week 2 | May 13 - May 19:  Disaster Safety & Mitigation

Week 3 | May 20 - May 26:  Backyard & Pool Safety

Week 4 | May 27 - May 31:  Energy & Green Building

The International Code Council urges you to promote Building Safety Month in your community by doing the following:

• Promote BSM through your Chapter activities.
• Set up an information booth at city hall or a local hardware store.
• Visit a school and give a presentation about building safety.
• Post local information on your website.
• Send a news release to newspapers, and radio and television stations.
• Encourage local media to cover Building Safety Month activities and send public service announcements to local radio and television stations.
• Public information officers, city managers, or mayors could also arrange to appear on a talk/community information show through your local television or radio stations.
• Include a call-in, question-and-answer session as part of the program to generate even more interest.
• Be sure to also invite your local media to any scheduled events you plan during the month and post on your social media websites.

To learn more about Building Safety Month - now in its 33rd year - visit 

the International Code Council HERE. 

For more information about building products that always meet code, CLICK HERE. 

Building Leaders: About the AIA National Convention 2013

The AIA National Convention, June 20th through the 22nd, is the largest annual event in the architectural industry.    Held in Denver, Colorado for 2013, the AIA Convention's host city is home to many well-known contemporary structures including The Wells Fargo Center and The Denver Art Museum.


During the convention, registrants can attend educational seminars and network with peers - plus experience what's "new and next" with over 700 new products to test.

In addition to numerous workshops and tours, registrants can also appreciate a few words of wisdom from the following keynote speakers:

-Blake Mycoskie, Founder of TOMS [shoes].
-Cameron Sinclair, Co-Founder of Architecture for Humanity
-General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), Secretary of State (2001-2005)

For more info on the AIA National Convention, CLICK HERE. 

CLICK HERE to learn more about the AIA National Convention exhibitor and 

architectural metal products manufacturer, KaneSterling.

3 Ways Minor Changes to Standard Architectural Railing Designs Can Impact Your Total Cost

In many cases, a manufacturer's standard railing design has the ability to look almost identical to the system a particular project requires.  However, despite the similarity in appearance, making even minor tweaks to the standard system's components or structural members, can increase or decrease the price significantly.

Here are some points to keep in mind when opting for modified versions of a manufacturer's standard railing system design:

1.   RADIUSING/SEGMENTING - Radiusing and segmenting (fusing "straight" railing sections to simulate a curve) may increase the shop labor and finishing prices.  The same is true for tight bends, as they require special tooling.

2.   MATERIAL WEIGHT - If a building owner or architect requires a standard system, but with a heavier look/feel, the profile might look the same, but the amount of material will increase (i.e. hollow pickets vs. solid pickets). This increase in material will likely cause an increase in price.

3.  INFILL SELECTION - The most obvious way changes can affect your total cost is to switch to a different infill style.  For instance, if at first you choose a system with custom, waterjet-cut infill panels, then decide to opt for a more simple, streamlined picket railing, your cost will noticeably decrease.

For more information on architectural railing systems, CLICK HERE. 

Happy Earth Day! (LINKS)

Happy Earth Day, readers!  Here's what's going on in the world of architecture in celebration of the most environmentally-friendly holiday of the year:


Earth Day Founder's "Living" Building Signals New Era of Sleek Sustainability


Earth Day Pictures:  Extreme Green Buildings


How Earth Day Got its Start


7 Jobs That Make the World a Better Place


10 Ideas That Can Change Our World (via Aecom)

Are you, your business or organization planning to make the world a greener place today?  

Tell us more about your sustainable efforts in the comments below.

To learn more about LEED-compliant living wall systems, CLICK HERE.