An Insight into Wood vs Cable Railings

Posted by Alan on August 9th, 2022

Everyone prefers a different taste when it comes to the exterior and interior of their property. Cable railing systems have had a major say in this change since everyone wants to have one installed in their place for increased value and breathtaking aesthetics.

However, what's confusing is whether one should opt for wood railings or the modern touch of cable railings.

Costs for Wood and Cable Railing

The foremost thing that homeowners look for is the cost while differentiating one from the other. Generally, the cost of cable railings is twice the cost of wood, although the method of installation and design can help in reducing the numbers significantly.

In the case of exterior railings, one of the simplest ways to do that is by making use of double corner posts that further allows for improved cable runs and lesser cable assemblies. This further implies the need for less hardware all around. But how does it all work out?

With the use of a cable railing kit, if you are setting up a running cable with a single corner post for a deck that has a perimeter of 60 feet, one will only have to 15 feet at max before having to terminate the corner. While installing double corner posts, the cable can go up to 30 feet in a single length on two sides which drops the cost of the cable along with the amount of hardware required.

Keeping this in mind, straight running cables cannot exceed more than 70 feet, bends included, and the cable shouldn't be more than 40 feet in length in a continuous manner. Usually, interior cable railings don't usually run in long lengths which is why they require less cable footage, and even at times, one doesn't need any corner posts.

Perks of Wood Railings vs Cable Railings

What sort of benefits do exterior cable railings and wood railings offer? For starters, the maintenance for cable railings is little to none. These are generally made from galvanized carbon steel, which is a highly corrosion-resistant stainless steel that manages to hold up well even if you live near the coast, the railing systems still require tiny maintenance.

On the other side of the grass, outdoor wood railings require regular maintenance and the same can be said for wood decking. Homeowners will regularly have to strip off stains, sand, and paint spots from the wood. Another major perk of cable railings is the overall aesthetic value that they add to the place.

Sleek designs of the cable railing make up for the picture-perfect view, be it for the interior or the exterior space of the property. In comparison to safety measures offered by wood pickets, the cables are thinner and come off as the perfect option for offering a panoramic view.

In simpler terms, the cable railing gives your place the airy and spacious look that it is missing out. They blend right in with the stainless steel posts and often are chosen for smaller spaces to offer unobstructed views while increasing the value of the property.

Wood posts or handrails can be a great alternative so to fill the exterior or the interior with warmth.

Safety Codes for Railing

There is nothing out of the box for cable deck railing when compared to conventional railing codes. What makes the difference is that, unlike cable, wood is rigid. This can become a great challenge when trying to meet the required codes.

The general code for buildings requires that the cables should be rigid enough to let a 4-inch sphere pass through them. In most cases, contractors understand this factor and make sure that the requirements are met to offer a safe and sound railing that adds up with the code. A cable railing kit, utilized in the right manner can offer plenty of perks in the long run.