How To Buy Signature Cable Railing

A complete cable railing system, including posts, handrails, cable, and hardware, typically ranges between $89-$260 per linear foot. Why such a large range? The price of cable railing will vary greatly depending on the type of material, height, number of turns, and complexity.

While both cable railing and rod railing are considered to be more economic than other modern railing systems (like glass railing), it should not be considered as a cheap system. It is a high performing, beautiful investment that will outperform traditional railing systems in nearly every metric.

See our Cable Railing Pricing page for more information.

Each cable railing system has its own version of cable fittings and kits. However, they are usually are made up of three parts:

1. Tensioner — This kit, or part, is locked onto the cable and tightened in some way to create tension. These can be found on one end or both ends of a cable run.
2. Holder — This is a kit that is locked onto the cable, but does not create tension. Its job is to hold the cable in place against the support post while the cable tensioner creates the tension.
3. Hardware to clean up the look — These are typically washers designed to cover up where the cable enters or exits the post. While they are used to create a finished look, they also aid in protecting the post from contact with the cable.

The three areas most commonly used settings for cable railing are for deck railing, balconies, and stair railing.

One of the great things about cable railing is that it can work anywhere. As long as you follow the code requirements in your local area, cable railing is great in any setting. Viewrail uses different post mounting options and different post configurations to work for simple or difficult projects.

Yes, rods do finish with better test results than cable. Cable is still extremely strong, but the solid design of the rods and the hardware used provides incredible strength.

The answer to this is yes, but with the right conditions. Cable railing is flexible, and so it won’t bend in a smooth semi-circle appearance. It will angle from last solid surface to the next solid surface, creating the illusion of curving while maintaining a linear profile. Because of this, a curved cable railing system usually requires more posts to help make the turn gradual and not just sharp turns.

However, if you’re looking for an option without so many posts, our Onyx or Stainless rod infill can be bent to shape, so you can have a curved railing with fewer things to block the view.

All of our systems are designed to meet the International Building Code which states that post spacing should not exceed 48” from post face to post face. Keeping this in mind, just space the posts equally while abiding by this code.

This depends on your deck overhang and blocking location. When mounting your post, it's important to have the mounting holes above sufficient blocking. For surface mounted posts, this means 3.75" or more. If you are running a screw into that blocking, make sure to have the screw off the edge of the blocking material so it doesn't split out.

We don't recommend mounting posts to pavers or bricks since these are typically not structural or attached well enough to existing structure to pass code.. Call one of our representatives to see what your options are for this application.