Cable railings (also known as cable railing systems and wire rope railings) are a low maintenance alternative to traditional wood or metal railings. Quite simply, they are guard rails and hand rails that use horizontal cables in place of traditional spindles, glass, mesh, etc. for infill.
The use of cable railing has become increasingly popular in both commercial and residential settings. Cable railing systems are designed for professional results but are also friendly to the do-it-yourself enthusiast. If you’d like to learn more about the ins and outs of cable railing systems to see if it’s right for your project, simply read on!
Horizontal cable railing (in which cables run horizontally to the deck base or floor) is the most prevalent form of view enhancing railing available. A great view is enhanced tremendously by removing balusters and other obstructive material from your railing while still proving safety and aesthetics. A top rail is always necessary when building a cable railing system as are structural post so you want to optimize the small amount of hardware used by making it stainless steel. The top rail should always be installed in a way that allows the top rail to absorb and deflect the pressure applied when the cable is tensioned. It is a best practice to secure the top rail by bracing it between the posts rather than simply placing the rail on top of the posts.