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Cable Railing: Decks, Stairs, Stainless Steel And Railing Systems
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Published: July 3, 2007
Sometimes the usual stair railings just aren't enough. Cable railing seeks to increase safety when going down stairs or walking through hallways where it would be possible to slip and fall to the floor below. Rather than a single rail going down the stairway or on the sides of the walkway, cable railing systems are fence-like in appearance, with a series of cables between the floor and the top rail.
These cables are called the in-fill, named after their function of filling in the space between the floor and main rail. Cable railing can be utilized anywhere regular rails are seen; stairways, decks, and hallways that look out onto a lower floor are all premium places for cable railing.
Cable railing ups the security level from that of a normal railing system. Uniform Building Code regulations state a 4-inch cylinder may not pass through the in-fill cables. This obviously prevents children and small pets from sneaking through and possibly getting hurt. The cables are connected from post to post and held in place by fitting mechanisms called receivers, which the studs at the end of the cables lock into.
Stainless steel is a common material used for cable railing, as it doesn't stain, corrode, or rust easily. Few substances can discolor stainless steel with the exception of muratic acid. Stainless steel is also environmentally friendly; new stainless steel is made of between 65 to 80 percent recycled content, which means the material is currently one of the most recycled materials on the planet.
The cables used in cable railing come in 1x19 constructions as well as 7x7 and 7x19, although the latter two are not recommended nearly as much due to less rigidity and more stretch. When purchasing cable railing, customers should look for highly rigid cables with little stretch. 1X19 cable constructions from The Cable Connection (a designer of Ultra-Tec cable railing systems) come in diameters ranging from 1/8 inch to 3/8 inch diameters. 3/16 inch cables are the most common for pedestrian railings. Ultra-Tec knows cable rigidity is key: cables in their railings vary in minimum breaking strength from 1,780 pounds on a 1/8 inch to 14,800 pounds on 3/8 inch diameter cables. The common 3/16 inch diameter can withstand up to 4,000 pounds of pressure before breaking; that kind of durability prepares the 3/16 cables for almost anything coming their way, and customers would normally upgrade beyond 3/16 simply for the visual aspect. Other companies like Atlantis Rail offer heights of 36 inch and 42 inch tall posts for their cable railing, but the size can be customized to fit any consumer's needs.
Cable railing isn't limited to hallways and staircases; cable deck railing is available for homeowners who want the back of their house to be safe and stylish. Cable deck railing isn't much different than models intended for stairs and passageways. As with cable railings in other parts of the home, customers are advised to use at least 3/16 inch diameter; the 1/8 diameter cables in cable deck railing haven't proven invincible to damage as a result of abuse, and with 3/16 inch cables being the most common in pedestrian applications, it's the recommended minimum diameter according to The Cable Connection.
The Cable Connection lists several cable railing distributors on their website, such as R & B Wagner Inc. out of Wisconsin or Bend Rigging Supply out of Oregon. All distributors offer cut and swag fitting services, which means they cut the cables to length and crimp the fittings onto the cables. The cables will come to the homeowner ready to install. Those looking to build a deck from the ground up will most likely have to go straight to a deck contracting company, as distributors generally don't build decks or fabricate the cable railings. Certain firms fabricate metal cable railings, but some only do business with commercial or multi-family units, so customers should make sure they're dealing with a company that handles single-family residences. They also give the customer the railing, fittings and cable, but not installed all together.
Homeowners can put cable railings along their decks, through the halls, and down the stairs. Cable railings are protective but not unsightly, so customers won't have to compromise style for safety. These cable railing systems can't be bought in a home improvement store, so those interested in cable railings will want to look on a website like Ultra-Tec.com to see what kind of system meets their needs.
Sources:
Designing a Wood Railing With Cable as an In-Fill. Ultra-Tec. 1 April 2007. 25 June 2007. http://www.ultra-tec.com/Content/Wood_Railing.html
Design Parameters and Constraints. Ultra-Tec.com. 2007. 25 June 2007.
http://www.ultra-tec.com/Content/Design_and_Fab_ pdf/2to3.pdf
Choosing The Right Cable. Ultra-Tec.com. 2007. 25 June 2007.
http://www.ultra-tec.com/Content/Design_and_Fab_ pdf/DesFabp4_7-06.pdf
Product Information. Atlantis Rail.com. 25 June 2007.
http://www.atlantisrail.com/railing_info.html
Cable railing ups the security level from that of a normal railing system. Uniform Building Code regulations state a 4-inch cylinder may not pass through the in-fill cables. This obviously prevents children and small pets from sneaking through and possibly getting hurt. The cables are connected from post to post and held in place by fitting mechanisms called receivers, which the studs at the end of the cables lock into.
Stainless steel is a common material used for cable railing, as it doesn't stain, corrode, or rust easily. Few substances can discolor stainless steel with the exception of muratic acid. Stainless steel is also environmentally friendly; new stainless steel is made of between 65 to 80 percent recycled content, which means the material is currently one of the most recycled materials on the planet.
The cables used in cable railing come in 1x19 constructions as well as 7x7 and 7x19, although the latter two are not recommended nearly as much due to less rigidity and more stretch. When purchasing cable railing, customers should look for highly rigid cables with little stretch. 1X19 cable constructions from The Cable Connection (a designer of Ultra-Tec cable railing systems) come in diameters ranging from 1/8 inch to 3/8 inch diameters. 3/16 inch cables are the most common for pedestrian railings. Ultra-Tec knows cable rigidity is key: cables in their railings vary in minimum breaking strength from 1,780 pounds on a 1/8 inch to 14,800 pounds on 3/8 inch diameter cables. The common 3/16 inch diameter can withstand up to 4,000 pounds of pressure before breaking; that kind of durability prepares the 3/16 cables for almost anything coming their way, and customers would normally upgrade beyond 3/16 simply for the visual aspect. Other companies like Atlantis Rail offer heights of 36 inch and 42 inch tall posts for their cable railing, but the size can be customized to fit any consumer's needs.
Cable railing isn't limited to hallways and staircases; cable deck railing is available for homeowners who want the back of their house to be safe and stylish. Cable deck railing isn't much different than models intended for stairs and passageways. As with cable railings in other parts of the home, customers are advised to use at least 3/16 inch diameter; the 1/8 diameter cables in cable deck railing haven't proven invincible to damage as a result of abuse, and with 3/16 inch cables being the most common in pedestrian applications, it's the recommended minimum diameter according to The Cable Connection.
The Cable Connection lists several cable railing distributors on their website, such as R & B Wagner Inc. out of Wisconsin or Bend Rigging Supply out of Oregon. All distributors offer cut and swag fitting services, which means they cut the cables to length and crimp the fittings onto the cables. The cables will come to the homeowner ready to install. Those looking to build a deck from the ground up will most likely have to go straight to a deck contracting company, as distributors generally don't build decks or fabricate the cable railings. Certain firms fabricate metal cable railings, but some only do business with commercial or multi-family units, so customers should make sure they're dealing with a company that handles single-family residences. They also give the customer the railing, fittings and cable, but not installed all together.
Homeowners can put cable railings along their decks, through the halls, and down the stairs. Cable railings are protective but not unsightly, so customers won't have to compromise style for safety. These cable railing systems can't be bought in a home improvement store, so those interested in cable railings will want to look on a website like Ultra-Tec.com to see what kind of system meets their needs.
Sources:
Designing a Wood Railing With Cable as an In-Fill. Ultra-Tec. 1 April 2007. 25 June 2007. http://www.ultra-tec.com/Content/Wood_Railing.html
Design Parameters and Constraints. Ultra-Tec.com. 2007. 25 June 2007.
http://www.ultra-tec.com/Content/Design_and_Fab_ pdf/2to3.pdf
Choosing The Right Cable. Ultra-Tec.com. 2007. 25 June 2007.
http://www.ultra-tec.com/Content/Design_and_Fab_ pdf/DesFabp4_7-06.pdf
Product Information. Atlantis Rail.com. 25 June 2007.
http://www.atlantisrail.com/railing_info.html
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