NatureRails takes simple railings to the next level by featuring unique artistic designs cut from metal by use of water jet technology. Virtually any style, color or application imaginable is available.

“We started [NatureRails] when we built our own log home about seven years ago. We wanted something that met code and included wildlife,” says Wendy Gerdin, operations manager. NatureRails, located in Black Forest, Colo., is a family-owned business, with Wendy’s husband Rob as the owner and artist for all the designs.

Builders and architects can browse through a set of designer panels that come in standard 6-ft. and 8-ft. lengths, or they can present original customer concepts. “We can create designs based on what a customer wants to see. We recently had a customer who wanted [us to depict] a certain mountain range outside his home, and we included that in a fireplace screen for him,” Wendy Gerdin says. “Rob can electronically hand-draw [the design] into the computer, then a computer image is generated and that is then cut by a water jet machine.”

The designs can be used in residential balconies and staircases, as fireplace screens, window screens, gates and murals. “The window applications are unique. It can bolt into the window sill, or set up on a window with plastic tabs. At night from the exterior it looks beautiful,” Gerdin says. NatureRails recently created a 12-in.-tall design which the homeowner placed on the top of his kitchen cabinetry with backlighting. The design won Best Kitchen Design Award from the Kentucky Parade of Homes.