Project Spotlight: Custom Railing at Luray Caverns

Go behind the scenes of Dutch Way’s custom railing project at Luray Caverns.

Where Beauty, Function & Engineering Come Together

How do you create a custom railing system that complements one of Virginia’s most recognizable historic attractions? Not only that, how can it look beautiful while also guiding its half a million annual visitors through a newly expanded property?

That was the challenge facing Dutch Way at Luray Caverns.

The answer involved a distinctive Chippendale pattern, powder-coated aluminum, precision engineering and collaboration among several specialized partners. The result is one of the most unique projects Dutch Way has ever had the opportunity to complete.

Creating a Better Path Through Luray Caverns

With so many visitors passing through Luray Caverns each year, managing foot traffic is an important part of the attraction’s guest experience. Following a multi-million dollar addition, the property needed a way to direct visitors through the expanded space and past its other amenities.

Railing offered a practical way to establish that path, but Luray Caverns wanted something that felt like it belonged on the property rather than a standard, off-the-shelf solution.

That’s where Dutch Way came in.

A Design Inspired by History

Luray Caverns knew the look it wanted: a Chippendale-inspired pattern featuring the geometric details that make the style so recognizable.

The design also came with a story. Dutch Way’s owner Dale Shank was told that the father of one of Luray Caverns’ current owners originally sketched the idea on a napkin at a restaurant, providing the family with a vision for the design.

Years later, Dutch Way was tasked with helping turn that vision into reality.

Going the Extra Mile, Literally

Finding the right railing required a little extra legwork.

While in Atlantic City, Dale spotted a sample that caught his attention and snapped a picture of it from the side. He brought the idea back to Luray Caverns, but the owners wanted to see and feel an actual sample before making their decision.

Rather than wait, Dale traveled overnight to Detroit to pick up a sample from Elite Fence Products. By the next day, Luray Caverns could see exactly what Dutch Way was proposing

Building a Truly Custom Railing System

With the design selected, Dutch Way still had to determine how to make it work throughout the property.

Each section would be custom-made from powder-coated aluminum. Dutch Way worked with engineers to carefully measure the steps and changes along the walls while identifying opportunities to keep individual railing sections as consistent in length as possible. That helped simplify fabrication without compromising the fit of the finished railing.

Dutch Way then coordinated with a fabrication shop to produce the individual sections and a local welding shop to create the custom gates.

A Unique Project Worth Being Proud Of

Dale describes the feeling of completing the project with one word: proud.

Proud of the craftsmanship. Proud of the partnerships that helped make it possible. And especially proud that Dutch Way had the opportunity to enhance a historic property like Luray Caverns.

For a company that specializes in helping customers find railing solutions for their individual properties, this project took “custom” to an entirely different level.

Watch the Video for an Inside Look at the Luray Caverns Project

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Meet Dale

Meet James

Meet Stacy

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Meet Will

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Customer Reviews

Our customers love
our work. Here’s why.

Bridget Smith

Dutch Way came this morning to begin the process of our vinyl fence. They have been extremely polite and easy to work with, knowledgable, patient and professional as we changed our minds a few times about what we wanted. Our fence posts are just starting to be put in, but I would already highly recommend them! Can’t wait to see the finished product.

Ryan Kline

Only place to go if you are looking for a quality fence at a reasonable price. The staff are professional and care about doing a quality job and making the customer happy. Thanks for everything Dutch Way! I wouldn’t use anyone else!

Sarah & Tom Ferguson

We are very pleased with the beautiful decking, railing, and lattice recently installed at our home. Visitors have commented on how great it looks. Claude and Justin are very skilled, talented, patient, and steadfast. You have two very valuable employees who handle working under less-than-pleasant conditions and nasty weather with professionalism and grace. Most happy to give Dutch Way company and their employees a great review!

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