Cable railing
Cable railing is what we install more than anything else, and it's what most Bay Area homes with a view should have.
The system is simple: horizontal runs of stainless steel cable, tensioned between slim posts, with a top rail in wood or metal. From five feet away, it nearly disappears. From your deck chair, the view is the whole point.
What it's made of
Cable: 316 marine-grade stainless steel — the same alloy used on sailboats. It handles fog, rain, sun, and salt air without rusting. We tension every run properly so it stays taut, not piano-wire tight, just clean and straight.
Posts: Powder-coated steel or aluminum, in dark bronze, black, or custom colors. Slim profiles — usually 2 inches — so they frame the view instead of blocking it.
Top rail: Your choice. Hardwood (ipe is the favorite — dense, weatherproof, beautiful) or powder-coated metal. The top rail is the part you touch, so it matters more than people expect.
Where it works
- Decks — especially hillside and view decks. This is 70% of what we build.
- Stairs — interior and exterior. Cable stairs read as modern without being cold.
- Balconies — replacements for aging wrought iron or builder-grade wood.
- Pool areas — cable pool barriers that meet code and don't cage the yard.
Maintenance reality
Hose it down when you're already hosing the deck. That's about it. No painting, no staining, no rust treatment. The cable itself outlasts the deck boards under it.
Every few years, check tension — cables can relax slightly as posts settle. Retensioning takes a few minutes per run with a wrench.
Code
California requires guardrails on any walking surface more than 30 inches above grade, with infill that won't pass a 4-inch sphere and strength to handle real loads. We build to code on every job — it's not an upgrade line item, it's the floor. We also handle HOA submittals where required.
Free estimate
We come out, measure, talk materials, and leave you a written number. About 30 minutes.
Get a Free Estimate — or call (PHONE)
