Types of deck railing

What are the different types of deck railings?

With the codes in mind, here are basic types of deck railings:

Composite + Vinyl. Composite and vinyl deck railings come in many styles and colors, and are virtually maintenance-free.
Glass. At $40 to $60 per linear foot, glass makes an oh-so-chic but oh-so-expensive deck railing system.
Metal.
Cable railings.
Wood.

Which deck railing is best?

What is the Best Deck Railing Material?

Aluminum Railings. High-quality aluminum railings tend to be extremely long lasting and durable.
Cable Railings.
Glass Railings.
Wood Railings.
Use and Exposure.
Environment.
Sightlines.

What is the cheapest deck railing?

Wood railing may be the least expensive to purchase, but will cost the most in maintenance.

How much does deck railing cost per foot?

Deck Railing Cost Per Foot

Deck railings cost on average $93 per linear foot, installed. This will vary from about $42 to $648 per foot. Labor charges will be about $30 per foot. Materials can run anywhere from $15 to $600 per foot.

How do I build a cheap deck railing?

Is cable railing cheaper than wood?

Cost of Cable Railings vs Wood Railings

Usually, the cost of cable railings is double the cost of wood, but the methodology of design and installation can help curb that cost.

How much do cable deck railings cost?

Most homeowners pay between $2,000 and $3,250 or more. This is based on 50 linear feet of railing for a 350 square foot deck. The average price for a cable railing is $60 per linear foot. Installation runs about $25 per linear foot while materials make up most of the project cost at $35 per linear foot.

Are cable deck railings worth it?

Despite their higher upfront cost, cable deck railing systems are worth the initial investment, as homeowners will not need to spend money or time to preserve the structural integrity of the deck rail.

How far apart should cable railing be?

To meet code and provide safety, cables must not allow a 4-inch sphere to pass between them. Even when tensioned, each cable can deflect as much ½-inch if forced apart. Therefore, they should be spaced no more than 3 inches apart to account for their flexibility.

What is code for cable railing?

In most states, the residential code is 36 inches high. There are some exceptions, though, like in California the required height for residential railing is 42 inches. On the other hand, the commercial International Building Code requires the railing to be at a minimum of 42-inch height.

What is the best size cable for deck railing?

Choosing the Right Cable for Your Cable Railing

For most applications, we recommend 1 x 19 construction, type 316 stainless steel strand (cable). Other constructions can be used, such as 7 x 7 or 7 x 19, but they are rarely recommended because they are less rigid than 1 x 19, and have elevated levels of stretch.

What size cable should I use for deck railing?

The most common cable sizes are 1/8” diameter cable and 3/16” diameter cable. 1/8” is used mostly for residential railing systems and maximizes the view that cable is known for. 3/16” Cable is used for commercial rail jobs that require a more heavy duty cable rail application.

Do cable railings meet code?

Since cable railing does not have the same rigidity of steel balusters or wood, it can defect (open up) when pressure is applied. To meet code requirements, the cables should be installed close enough together to ensure that a 4-inch sphere can‘t pass through even if the cables are stretched.

Can you use galvanized cable for deck railing?

Grade of Cable:

The lowest grade is a galvanized, which is not recommended for architectural railings as they will corrode quickly. A middle grade of stainless steel, which is typically used for indoor applications, would be the T304 stainless. A lot of people inquire about a PVC coated cable for a cable railing.

How do you install deck cable railing?

How do you tension a wire railing?

How is cable railing measured?

For straight thru mount cable runs, it’s easy to measure from the outside face of your first terminal post (end post) to the outside face of your last terminal post. For straight surface mount cable runs, measure from the inside face of your first terminal post to the inside face of your last terminal post.