Heya gang, well, I’m getting closer and closer to finishing up this over two-year project. Gotta question about cable railing:
I’m considering cable railing (as opposed to more standard would railing and ballisters), horizontal cable, 1/8th inch. Such an installation would run about 164″ as a guardrail on the top floor, transitioning into 140″ of stair rail going downstairs.
Anybody have any idea on the costs of this stuff? I’ve got some spec’s on it i.e. cable type, posts, with midposts, top bar, etc. Anyone know off hand the cost differential between more traditional wood railing and stainless steel cable railing?
Thanks ahead of time for any help.
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I looked into this recently for my 10'x16' deck with one staircase on it.
My cedar railings are costing me about $600 Canadian. (about $450 US)
I investigated cable railings. Talked with a manufacturer. In my area railings cannot be climeable according to the building code - therefore I would have had to go with a vertical configuration.
I was looking at about $3000 US plus $1000 to $1500 US for installation (depending on whether I had them do it or rented the machine to do it).
This option is alot cheaper with a horizontal configuration (lots fewer cables for them to make). I estimated based on information I had at the time that I could get the materials for the railing for $500 to $600 US, plus of course all of the installation charges.
Good luck.
Do an Advanced search for 'cable railing'. Lotsa hits.
The geodesic dome I built last year was spec'd for a cable railing system. The HO balked, however, when just the material cost was about $200 per lineal foot. His loft had 30+ feet of railing.
He went with beveled glass panels instead, and, though it's not to my taste, I have to say, it turned out really nice. (and much less expensive).
Thanks for the comments gents:
Nick, I did the advanced search and even found some of my old posts. I remember raising this issue before, but I didn't really post about specific costs, nor did the search help with costs, and costs vs standard wood railing for the interior. That's kind of where I'm at now.
DgH, I'm not sure what your linear footage is on that deck so can't really relate to the costs per se. I think if I was using wood posts, I might attempt this myself.
DgH and Notch, what I didn't post in my original above was that the guy I'm working with quoted me about $8000 for about 25 lineal feet. That includes materials and installation; basically stainless steel square tubing 1 1/4" with additional tubing inbetween the main posts, a top plate (I will add a wood rail to the top), and 1/8" cable with some low profile fittings.
The contractor does some pretty high-end trick work in the area, and is very professional and has spent a good amount, a couple/few hours, of time with me going over stuff that I don't really have to know, but has helped me in understanding the exact process. The stringing and securing of the cable doesn't seem as daunting as configuring the tubing making sure everything is square, plumb, and finished welding. But still, this seems kinda high, although my $320 per lineal foot doesn't seem that far out of the ballpark with Notch's figure.
I think in my original research of this before, the panel glass thing was raised also, maybe by Notch back then. I did do some research on it; I don't know, I also like that kind of commercial look, but the maintainence of the glass (cleaning) turns me a bit off.
Anyway, thanks again for the help.