Why do people choose cable railings for a deck or stairs?
People choose cable railings when the view matters more than the railing. Thin horizontal cables run between solid posts, so your eye goes past the rail to the lake, the trees or the yard instead of stopping at it. That is why so many cable railings go onto lake homes and cabins around Cokato, MN, on walkout decks, upper decks and open stairs. The look is clean and modern, and it pairs well with square tubing posts and a simple top rail. It is not the right fit for every home. If you have a busy family deck or you prefer a traditional look, pickets may suit you better, and Will will tell you so. Cable railings go on outdoor decks and on interior stairs. Will measures on site, builds in our Cokato shop and installs it himself, so the posts, corners and mounting are planned for your actual space.
Keep the view.
You bought or built where you did for what you can see from it. A railing should not get in the way of that.
Lake cabins
Sit down on the deck and the water is still in front of you, not behind a row of vertical lines.
Walkout decks
A raised deck off a lower level has a lot of open air around it. Cable lets the yard and the trees stay part of the picture.
Stair openings
On an open staircase, cable lets light and sightlines pass through instead of closing the space in.
Cable railings or pickets: which fits your deck?
Neither one is better in every case. Here is how Will talks it through with homeowners in Cokato, Annandale and the lake towns around them.
| Topic | Cable | Pickets |
|---|---|---|
| Sightlines | Keeps the view open. Your eye passes through. | More to look through. The view is broken up by vertical lines. |
| Look | Clean, light and modern. | Traditional and familiar, with a fuller feel. |
| Busy family decks | Worth a conversation about spacing and who uses the deck. | Often the comfortable pick when kids and pets are around. |
| Stairs and corners | Works well on open stairs and on decks with long runs. | Suits stairs and tight layouts where a solid feel is wanted. |
| Upkeep | Tension can need an occasional check. | Simple to live with. Not much to adjust. |
Not sure which way to go? Send photos and rough measurements and Will will give you a straight opinion. You can also see deck railings and interior stair railings for the other options.
How does a cable railing project work?
One person from the first call to the install. Four steps.
Text or call
Send photos and rough measurements of your deck or stairs.
Will measures
He comes out to measure, talks through the design with you and sends a quote.
Built in the shop
Your railing is built in our Cokato shop.
Will installs it
The same person who measured and built it puts it in.
Cable railing questions, answered
What affects the cost of a cable railing?
The cost of a cable railing in Cokato depends on how long the run is, the design, the number of corners and transitions, and how it mounts. Stairs usually take more planning than a straight deck run. Will gives a quote after you send photos and rough measurements, so you are not guessing.
Do you build cable railings for inside and outside?
Yes, cable railings can go on outdoor decks and on interior stairs. Will builds both in his Cokato shop. The posts, mounting and layout differ between a deck and a staircase, so he measures on site first and plans each one for the space it is going into.
Do you install the cable railing too?
Yes. Will installs every cable railing himself. He does the quote, the measuring, the building and the install, so you deal with one person from your first call to the finished railing. That covers Cokato, Annandale and the lake towns around them.
Does a cable railing need upkeep?
Generally, cable tension can need an occasional check over time, and that is part of living with this style. Will can walk you through what to look for when he installs your cable railing in the Cokato area. It is a simple routine, and he is glad to explain it.
Which towns do you install cable railings in?
Will builds cable railings in Cokato and installs them in Annandale, Buffalo, Saint Michael, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, Chaska, Minneapolis, Andover, Saint Cloud and Willmar. If you are on a lake in between, send a message and ask.
Ready to keep your view?
Send Will photos and rough measurements of your deck or stairs. He will measure on site, talk through the design and send a quote.
