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10 Things to Know: Important Universal Cable Railing Tips

Oct 24, 2016

10 Things to Know: Important Universal Cable Railing Tips
  • Cable spaced less than 4 inches apart for safety (check local building codes). 3” to 3-1/2” spacing is best. Use a drill press to pre-drill posts or make a guide out of a scrap piece of wood to make sure drill holes are uniform from post to post.
  • Posts should not exceed 4 feet to ensure the 4” spacing can be achieved. 3’ to 3-1/2’ is best. Intermediate pickets can be used instead of major structural posts.
  • Stainless steel cable and fittings should be used to ensure there will not be any corrosion over time. T316 is advised for outdoor and T304 for indoor applications.
  • Use protector sleeves on wood posts whenever the cable enters or exits a post to prevent the cable from wearing into the wood, hence loosening up your runs over time.
  • Use angled washers when terminating on stairs.
  • Hand-crimping is the easiest way to save yourself money on a cable railing project. It takes a little while to install, but is definitely worth the savings! Make sure to use a marine style crimper for stainless steel fittings.
  • Straight runs of cables should not exceed 60 feet.
  • Combine some of your runs, if possible. This lowers the number of fittings required. Runs with one corner should not exceed 45 feet and runs with two corners should not be greater than 30 linear feet. Runs with corners should use tensioners on each end. Cable runs should not have more than two 90-degree corners to ensure runs can be tensioned adequately.
  • Assembly kits are a quick and easy install, requiring limited tools. Kits cost a little more than hand-crimp systems, but are installed in 20% of the time!
  • Call VistaView with any questions about your project! We are the best resource for you! 1-877-847-8295.
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