Replies

1. 
   RalphWicklund | Nov 10, 2005 03:57am | #1

   Code here will not allow horizontal cabling. Too easy for the kiddies to climb up and over and fall.

   Check your codes before you go any further.

1. 
   Matt | Nov 10, 2005 04:49am | #3

   Code allows it here (IRC 2000).  I think someone told me though when we get the new IRC (2003?) it won't be allowed.

1. 
   GregT | Nov 10, 2005 05:11am | #4

   I am in the railing business.  All we do is stairs and railings mostly for commercial projects with an occasional high end residential project thrown in.  My opinion is as follows:  For an almost completely see through railing there is nothing better.  If children are present or may be in the future, possilby not the best choice.  I would recommend going with a cable system instead of trying to piece it together with components.  The posts are critical if the railing is to meet loading and applied cable tension and many cable railing manufacturers will recommend sizing.  Cable spacing is critical to meet a 4" sphere rule and I read one mfr. states to space the cables at 3" so if the inspector does stretch them aside to try to get a sphere to pass it will not exceed the 4".  Further the tension on the cables must be done properly.

   Whether it is legal for your locally accepted code or not, you may still have to educate your inspector to get it approved.  Contact the National Ornamental & Miscellaneous Metals Association http://www.nomma.org and they should be able to help.

   Hope this helps.

   Greg Terrill

1. 
   Matt | Nov 10, 2005 06:10am | #5

   Hey Greg.  Welcome to BT.   Sounds like you will be a valuable asset around here.

   suggestion - if you are answering someone's question, respond to their post by clicking reply directly below their post.  Or, it it is targeted for the general audience, make the To: at the top of your reply screen say: "To: All" 

1. 
   GregT | Nov 10, 2005 06:50am | #6

   Thanks for the education on posting.  It was indeed my first try so I'll get the hang of it.

   Greg

2. 
   Advocate | Nov 10, 2005 07:09am | #7

   I've used cable rail a number of times on my projects. Two suggestions:

   1. Find out from an in-person conversation with the applicable building department how they will evaluate cable railing re: the 4" sphere rule. In my county there are 13 building departments and the method for evaluating cable rail varies quite a bit.

   2. INstall the cable in a way that allows tightening in the short term and long term. Believe it or not, steel cable stretches.

    

   Advocate

3. 
   slykarma | Nov 10, 2005 08:32am | #9

   Welcome Greg. Don't forget to fill out your profile so we know where you're from. Location has a lot of influence on questions and answers here....Lignum est bonum.

2. 
   stinger | Nov 10, 2005 04:17am | #2

   No code enforcement here where I am, at least as far as railings go.  Here's mine.  Used Cable-Rail, had a local weld shop make the frame from 1x3x1/8-wall steel tube.

    

   
3. 
   MSA1 | Nov 10, 2005 07:11am | #8

   I think the cable railing looks great but it snot allowed around here (michigan).

   I thought it was kind of funny, I was at city hall one day and they have four floors of the stuff. I couldnt resist asking the inspector about it. He laughed and said it was put in before he was and its simply a non conforming structure. 

4. 
   piko | Nov 10, 2005 09:00am | #10

   Looks like everyone's talking horizontal - have you thought about vertical. It's unclimbable , but it means a hefty top rail to take the tension. I have seen it in a mag - zigzag up and down, thru rings welded to top and bottom rails (or eyebolts to floor). That 3" idea sounds appropriate here as getting it tight enough would be a PITA. I've even seen it done with poly  and sisal rope indoors.

   All the best...

   To those who know - this may be obvious. To those who don't - I hope I've helped.

    

1. 
   MJR | Nov 10, 2005 02:10pm | #11

   Thanks for all the replys and ideas I will talk to my customers as they have small children and I also do not think this is the best railing for this deck. This is the third railing system that they have looked at.  Thanks again Mike

1. 
   Advocate | Nov 10, 2005 09:54pm | #12

   If you are looking for an alternative, I just designed and installed a system for a family with child safety concerns that used 1/2" dia. copper pipe as vertical pickets. It is a "low mass" type of look similar to cable rail, and the clients were thrilled.

    

   Advocate