Minute Maid Park handrail replacement

The problem

Minute Maid Park opened in 2000. Its retractable roof lets humid, salty air into the stadium, which speeds up corrosion. After about twenty years the main-floor handrails were past touch-up, and a full slate of games and events left little time for repainting.

What we recommended

Instead of painting again, Superior Steelworx recommended hot-dip galvanizing. The zinc coating protects the steel even where it is scratched, resists the abrasion of heavy fan traffic, and lasts decades without maintenance.

How it was built

We fabricated the rails to be smooth to the touch, since fans run their hands along them. The galvanizer inspected all material for burrs before delivery, and the project finished on time.

Project details adapted from a case study by the American Galvanizers Association.